Kodiak in WWII

Prior to World War II, Kodiak remained relatively unchanged from the days of Russian settlement. However, as an island out the southern edge of Alaska, Kodiak became an important strategic outpost for the US military in WW II. Ships, war planes and submarines could respond quickly in the event of conflict.

Nearly overnight modern buildings popped up. Military bunkers and gun emplacements were built at Chiniak, Long Island, and Fort Abercrombie. The population of the tiny "village" of Kodiak soared to more than 25,000 in the early 1940s.

On June 3, Dutch Harbor was bombed and residents of Attu taken as prisoners. With the Aleutian Islands under attack, Kodiak troops were poised to retaliate. However, the Japanese were driven back and Kodiak island was spared any military engagement.

Today, bunker remnants remain and even serve as the Kodiak Military History Museum.

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