[nature sounds]
[instrumental soundtrack]
Course, remember this:
the prediction of the capture
or the retaking of Attu
was only supposed to take 2 or 3 days
and it lasted for 20 days
In the far west
Alaska's most distant island
Attu
Home to the Unangax people
for thousands of years
A national wildlife refuge
and the only World War II land battle
fought on North American soil
A forgotten war
that changed lives forever
June 7, 1942
Japanese troops raised the Imperial flag
over the village of Attu
The Attuans were taken to Japan in the fall
where half of the prisoners died during their internment
May 11th, 3:30 PM 1943
US soldiers landed on this beach
the southern force sent to recapture Attu
a bloody battle of courage and sacrifice
Remembering Attu
It was strictly an infantry matter
and the big job was where the Japanese had already
got the themselves settled
and they knew where they were
and they were fully prepared
with their hand grenades
and things of that nature
There was a lot of sacrifice
on both these islands
by both sides
in these really unforgiving conditions
of weather
people struggled against this
for these very remote locations
For Attu lies but 750 miles
from the great Japanese naval base at Paramushir
Under the barrage of a battleship's guns
United States forces move in
to drive the Japanese from rocky, fog-bound Attu
a strategic island in the Aleutian chain
Troops waiting for the zero hour
time to go over the side
From foxholes to rugged ridges
battles raged for nearly 3 weeks
It was very costly
so, for the number of Japanese
that were casualties
the number of American casualties was almost as high
May 29th, 3 AM
Japanese soldiers attacked in a final banzai charge from this valley
And from there,
the Japanese just kept coming up the ravines
just stacked on top of each other
They had grenades wrapped around their foreheads
or around their chest
it was just a wild situation
The Battle ended on Engineer Hill May 29th, 1943
where a peace memorial now stands
When you see people fall
it does something to you
I keep thinking,
these people, they either have wives, or they have parents
how different are they from us?
They're wearing a different uniform...
Scars and stories remain
on a landscape returned
to a refuge
for wildlife and people
These islands are mostly what it was like
75 years ago
The historic preservation of the battlefields
is really pretty high
compared to most battlefields of World War II
The battlefield of Attu endures
a place of memory
part of a monument to sacrifice
[Kiska Island]
"Americans will never forget
the harrowing sacrifices made in the Pacific
by soldiers and civilians..."
[Atka Island]
Valor in the Pacific National Monument (AK, HI, CA)
2008 Presidential Proclamation George W. Bush
When you learn about some of the history of the area
I think you understand things in context
Together, we remember
we can work to heal
and discover peace
Return to Attu
The Attuans taken prisoner during the war
were not allowed to return to their island
survivors resettled on other islands in the Aleutians and elsewhere
75 years later
descendants returned to Attu
Stepping on Attu where my mother grew up
[voice of Geneva Bright]
that was probably the highlight
I never ever thought I'd do that
[voice of Crystal Dushkin]
That was so special
to be able to have the cross there for the church
for the Attuans
and to pray for them
all those who never got to see their island again
Today, Attu holds the stories
of sacrifice and healing
amid the scars of battle
A place of refuge and remembrance
In memory of all those who sacrificed their lives in the islands and seas of the North Pacific
during World War II.... inscription of Attu peace memorial
"...and in dedication to world peace."
75th Battle of Attu Commemoration