During World War II the remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangax̂ (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became a fiercely contested battleground in the Pacific. This thousand-mile-long archipelago saw invasion by Japanese forces, the occupation of two islands; a mass relocation of Unangax̂ civilians; a 15-month air war; and one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theater. Read More
Learn about the 80th Anniversary of the bombing of Dutch Harbor and Battle of Attu, as well as other stories from the Aleutians.
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.
Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircraft struck at U.S. Army and Navy installations at Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island.
In the story of the Aleutians theater during World War II, there is a central theme - people being forcibly removed from their homes.
When WWII broke out the Unangax̂ and Aleut people were caught in the crosshairs. Many were relocated. Learn more through these interviews.
The pilots, sailors, and soldiers of the Aleutian Campaign went out into the treacherous Aleutian waters and skies. Discover their stories.
The residents of Attu, the most remote Aleutian village, had a different and especially tragic wartime experience.
The following oral histories provide many details about life in Makushin, Kashega, & Biorka as remembered by people who were children then.
During and after the war the Unangax̂ faced new challenges including imprisonment, relocation, and loss of their ancestral villages.
Scientists researching plants in the Aleutian Islands learn about the impacts of humans, invasive species, and climate change.
Explore the strategic forts and outposts of the Aleutian Islands during World War II.
Last updated: May 21, 2023
