Joseph Sasser

Joseph Sasser at age 22 in 1945

Courtesy of Joseph Sasser

Quick Facts

Significance:

Part of the US Army battle on Attu Island and the invasion of Kiska

Place of Birth:

Mississippi

A Mississippi native, Joseph Sasser was drafted into the Army in 1942. Inducted into the Coast Artillery he would quickly be recruited for the 7th Provisional Scout Company, an infantry division with a very strict and arduous training regime and a mission not entirely clear. Whether good news or bad, Joseph was transferred to the 50th Combat Engineers and sent to Alaska where the Engineers would help expel Japanese forces entrenched on the island and intersect with the 7th Provisional Scout Company. Lack of proper clothing and equipment for the harsh Alaskan environment, sleepless nights in fox holes, an arduous battle on what become known as Engineer Hill on Attu and the invasion of Kiska would make Joseph’s tour in the Aleutians a memorable one. Learn more about Joseph’s experiences on Attu and Kiska in an interview conducted in 2011 and his memoir.

Download a full transcript of Joseph Sasser's interview.

Listen to Joseph Sasser talk about his experience in the Aleutian Campaign.