History and Culture

 
an old dock, now only vertical log poles, extends from a green shoreline into the ocean with foggy mountains in the background.
The Aleutian Islands are full of stories about World War II and the people it affected.

US Fish & Wildlife Service Photo / Lisa Hupp

 
World War II was a global event that caused ripple effects throughout the world. The Aleutian Theater, a lesser-known military campaign of WWII, touched many lives when the Japanese invaded and attacked this island chain in the northern Pacific. Explore the articles below to learn more about the wartime experiences of people in the Aleutian Islands.
 
 

Indigenous History

 
Black and white photo of people standing at boat railing.
Unangax̂ Evacuation

During WWII, some Unangax̂ were forcibly relocated from their homes to "duration villages," where these communities struggled to survive.

a historic scene of two women standing outside a sod house with fine grass baskets.
Attuans' WWII Experience

Residents of Attu, the westernmost Aleutian island, had an especially tragic wartime experience as prisoners of Japanese forces.

a historic illustration of two men in kayaks paddling in front of a coastal mountain range.`
Unangax̂ History & Culture

Unangax̂ people have lived in the Aleutian Islands for 4,000 years, cultivating a rich culture built on community and subsistence.

a church beside a coastal mountain is renovated with a scaffold structure on its steeple.
Unangax̂ Restitution

After suffering injustices throughout WWII, the Unangax̂ community came together to advocate for restitution from the US government.

People in a grassy field with a Russian cross
The Lost Villages

Biorka, Kashega, and Makushin: three villages surviving centuries of change only to disappear during World War II.

 

Military History

 
Black and white photo of a town with burning buildings and billowing smoke.
Bombing of Dutch Harbor

Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircraft struck Dutch Harbor naval base and the nearby town of Unalaska.

Black and white photo of three planes flying over ocean and mountains
The Invasion of Kiska

On June 7, 1942, the Japanese invaded the Aleutian island of Kiska. At its height of occupation 6,800 Japanese personnel were on the island.

a historic scene of five soldiers carrying a litter with a person on it through mountainous terrain.
Battle of Attu

Lasting 18 days, the Battle of Attu was one of the deadliest battles of World War II, but it remains one of the least well-known.

in a historic scene, two men sit on the hood of a jeep in front of a snow-covered mountain.
Seeking information?

Looking for an individual? Type their name into this search bar and check the "Aleutian Islands WWII National Historic Area" box.

a historic scene of a sailor in a white cap squinting and threading a needle.
Research Portal

Browse publications, primary sources, look for veterans, and more through this research portal.

Last updated: August 9, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Aleutian Islands WWII Visitor Center
2716 Airport Beach Road

Unalaska, AK 99692

Phone:

907-581-9944

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