No matter where you are, we're glad you're here!
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ATG Patch VILDA UAF-1972-182-1 |
Essential Questions
- Explain how Alaska's location was considered "strategic" during World War II. What were the war activities/events that supported the perspective of "strategic" Alaska?
- The conduct of war presents incredible challenges as well as opportunities. These impact the economy of the country as well a the daily lives of all participants. Describe the challenges and opportunities unique to Alaska during World War II.
- Describe the legacy of World War II for Alaska. What happened in Alaska after the war that is largely attributable to WW II? What are Alaskans living with today that is attributable to WW II?
ENGAGE
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Military Convoy, AK HIghway ca. 1943 VILDA ASL-P343-146 |
World War II brought immense changes to the Alaska landscape and to the local population. In contrast to World War I where the impact was largely economic (high salmon and copper prices which benefitted AK business), World War II came to Alaska in a very real way.
As occurs for all nations at war, the civilian population in Alaska mobilized to support the war effort. This included rationing of goods, buying war bonds, accepting limits on the use of existing communication systems (AK Communications System-ACS), accepting limits on travel, providing local security forces, participating in black-outs, adjusting to the influx of the military and civilian contractors/workers, and moving from areas deemed critical for military use.
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Signposts, Alaska Highway ca. 1942-43 VILDA ASL-P193-158 |
Housing was tight and people could rent living space to those moving to Alaska for construction work. The Alaska Railroad and the White Pass and Yukon Railroad were pushed to their limits hauling materials for the construction of the AK Highway and for base construction in Fairbanks. Also, the AK RR continued to haul coal from the mines in Southcentral AK (Healy Mines).
Barge operators on the major rivers were kept busy hauling materials and fuel for the smaller support bases built in the AK Interior (Galena, for example.) Ocean shippers whose ships were not appropriated for military use joined the many military vessels hauling supplies to Alaska.
USO clubs, churches, and civic organizations supported the military and civilian contractors by providing services and entertainment. Social functions like dances and parties livened up many Alaska towns, and wartime marriages were not uncommon.
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ATG Being Sworn In, Barrow VILDA UAF-1976-21-587 |
For many Alaska Natives, World War II resulted in profound cultural changes. Those in villages near where military bases were constructed were often able to find cash-paying jobs. They came into contact with soldiers and workers from the Lower 48, and were introduced to lifestyles previously little known.
Many Alaskans, both male and female, heeded the call to be on the front line of surveillance by joining the Alaska Territorial Guard. Others enlisted in the regular military. And, for the Aleuts from the Aleutians and the Pribilofs, the evacuation from their home villages and their internment in Southeast Alaska will forever be remembered with sadness and for some, great bitterness. Often forgotten are the Aleut residents of Attu, who spent the war as prisoners on northern Japanese island of Otaru.
Many Alaskans, both male and female, heeded the call to be on the front line of surveillance by joining the Alaska Territorial Guard. Others enlisted in the regular military. And, for the Aleuts from the Aleutians and the Pribilofs, the evacuation from their home villages and their internment in Southeast Alaska will forever be remembered with sadness and for some, great bitterness. Often forgotten are the Aleut residents of Attu, who spent the war as prisoners on northern Japanese island of Otaru.
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St.Paul Residents Evacuated on U.S. Army Transport Delarof June 1942 Natl. Archives NARA 80-G-12163 |
After the war there was a short period of population
decline as the military and construction workers returned to their homes in the Lower 48. Shortly after the population began to increase again as many of those who had served in Alaska during the war returned with their families.
Media attention to Alaska during the war had also served to attract others who came to take advantage of the homestead programs that existed at the time. Many future Alaska leaders came these two groups; the push for statehood was largely supported by these new Alaskans.
Media attention to Alaska during the war had also served to attract others who came to take advantage of the homestead programs that existed at the time. Many future Alaska leaders came these two groups; the push for statehood was largely supported by these new Alaskans.
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Unalakleet WW II VILDA ASL-P38-8 |
- The construction of the Alaska Highway,
- The creation of the Alaska Territorial Guard,
- The evacuation and internment of Aleuts (Unangan) from their communities in the Aleutians and on the Pribilof Islands.
There are many more stories to be told, and there exists numerous resources worth exploring - online, in print version, and on the ground (WW II landmarks).
EXAMINE
- Explain the purpose of the Aleut evacuation and give at least two examples of how the evacuation affected the Aleuts of Alaska.
- Describe how the transportation infrastructure of Alaska was impacted during World War II by providing at least two examples.
- How were the daily lives of Alaskans impacted by World War II? Give at least three examples.
- Describe the recruitment, training, and the role of the Alaska Territorial Guard and specifically the Eskimo Scouts.
EXPLORE
Alaska Highway
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Military Bulldozer Working on AK Highway 1944 VILDA UAF-2004-92-16 |
The construction of the Alaska Highway was a feat of engineering and construction. The need for a road connecting Alaska to the Lower 48 as a "back door" for Alaska was clear.
The road construction was a collaboration between the U.S. and Canada, and using both military and civilian laborers, was completed in nine months- from March -Nov. 1942. Considerable upgrading continued throughout the war and beyond.
The road construction was a collaboration between the U.S. and Canada, and using both military and civilian laborers, was completed in nine months- from March -Nov. 1942. Considerable upgrading continued throughout the war and beyond.
Review any of these sources for the Alaska Highway:
- Alaska's Heritage Chap. 4-10 (You have already read this; just review the section about World War II.
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Soldiers Who Built the AK Highway ca 1944 VILDA UAF-2004-92-1 |
- World War II - The Alaska HIghway This site, from the Federal Highway Administration, provides a good overview and highlights the role of the African-American soldiers.
- Teacher Domain - How To Build a Road - Watch this video to get a sense of what was involved to build the Alaska Highway.
- Alaska at War 1941-1945 The Forgotten War Remembered - Go to pages 179-189 for three papers about the AK Highway.
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Alaska Territorial Guard Poster UA 1969-7-1 |
This army reserve force, established by Major Marvin "Muktuk" Marston, became the "eyes and ears" for the army along the thousands of miles of AK coastline. In the course of normal subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering activities, members of the ATG also surveyed both the seascape and the landscape. Over 6000 Alaskans served in the ATG, without pay, and in 2000 the U.S. government conferred veteran status to all ATG members.
Alaska Territorial Guard sources:
- Alaska Natives in the Military- The Alaska Territorial Guard and Beyond - This Alaskool site has links to other sites about the ATG.
- Military in Alaska- A Native Perspective - This article by Paul Ongtooguk is on the AK History and Culture Studies site. Skim through it until you come to the section on WW II.
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Uncle Sam's Men www.kyuk.org |
- Uncle Sam's Men, DVD, produced by KYUK-TV in Bethel. This 30 min. documentary is available in many community and school libraries in AK. The narrative is excellent and the footage is rare. It is not online.
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ATG Certificate of Service- Given After Statehood VILDA UAF-1972-182-5 |
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ATG Shelter Cabin Sign VILDA UAF-1972-182-3 |
Aleut Evacuation
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Umiaks Brought to SE AK 1942 VILDA ASL-P306-1093 |
The story of the evacuation of Aleuts from their home communities is one of the most controversial and tragic of WW II in Alaska. The evacuation was ordered after the Japanese attacks on the Aleutian Islands with the rationale that the local residents were at risk.
Relocation took place to old canneries and mining camps in SE AK; some Aleuts lived and worked in the towns of Southeast. Under the supervision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Native Service, basic goods and services were provided, but the abrupt change to life in a different environment and in often deplorable conditions resulted in deaths of the most vulnerable, the aged and the young.
Ironically, men from the Pribilofs were returned to the islands each year during the war for the seal harvest, a considerable revenue producer for the U.S. government. After the war the Aleuts returned to communities heavily damaged by years of disuse or by occupation by American forces. Several communities were never reestablished.
In 1988, eight years after restitution had been made to Japanese-American internees, restitution was made to the Aleuts with compensation going to individuals as well as to communities for rebuilding of destroyed churches.
Relocation took place to old canneries and mining camps in SE AK; some Aleuts lived and worked in the towns of Southeast. Under the supervision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Native Service, basic goods and services were provided, but the abrupt change to life in a different environment and in often deplorable conditions resulted in deaths of the most vulnerable, the aged and the young.
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Aleut Relocation to SE AK 1942 VILDA ASL-P306-1044 |
In 1988, eight years after restitution had been made to Japanese-American internees, restitution was made to the Aleuts with compensation going to individuals as well as to communities for rebuilding of destroyed churches.
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Aleut Relocation 1942 VILDA ASL-P306-1061 |
- Evacuation and Internment, 1942-1945 - This is a National Park Service site.
- The Aleut Story - This is the website for the film, The Aleut Story. The film is not online, but the website includes the film transcript, photos, maps, and special features.
- National Archives Documented Rights:Relocation - Scroll through to the last three primary source documents about the Aleut relocation experience.
- Aleut Evacuation and Relocation, 1942-1945 The first page on this pdf presents an overview of this topic and a reference to more records in the National Archives.
Recommended Reading:
When the Wind Was a River: Aleut Evacuation in Work War II by Dean Kohlhoff, publ 1995, University of WA Press. This book is not online, but is a definitive work about the Aleut Evacuation.
When the Wind Was a River: Aleut Evacuation in Work War II by Dean Kohlhoff, publ 1995, University of WA Press. This book is not online, but is a definitive work about the Aleut Evacuation.
EXTEND
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Aleut Relocation-Grave 1942 VILDA ASL-P306-1051 |
Here are some outstanding sources, which, unfortunately are not online. But, if you have time at some point, you may want to locate these in your local library and check this out!
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www.amazon.com |
- Last Letters from Attu, The True Story of Etta Jones, Alaska Pioneer and Japanese P.O. W. by Mary Breu, pub. 2009, Alaska Northwest Books This book is written from the letters and journals kept by Etta Jones before and during the war. The website Last Letters from Attu includes information about Etta Jones and primary source material.
- Journal of an Aleutian Year by Ethel Ross Oliver, Pub. 1988, Reed Business Inc. Oliver and her husband were hired to teach and work on Atka 1946-47, helping to rebuild the village and to integrate the former Attuan POWs into life in this community after the U.S. government refused to allow them to return to Attu.
- Alaska at War 1941-1945 The Forgotten War Remembered, ed. Fern Chandonnet, 2008, University of Alaska Press. The paper, Aleuts in Japan, pages 301-304 is not included in the online version of this book, but is in the hard copy.
What's Next?
WWII changed so much of the cultural, economic and even the physical landscapes of Alaska. Now let's explore our last section of Module VIII - Impact and Legacy.
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Color Guard at Completion of AK Highway 11/20/42 VILDA UAF-1969-95-551 |
