Aleutian Islands, Alaska

The Aleutians: The Only Part of North America Occupied by Japan in World War Two

In June 1942, Japanese forces occupied Attu and Kiska, the two westernmost inhabited Aleutian Islands. They held them for over a year before American forces retook Attu in May 1943 in a 19-day battle that killed 550 American and approximately 2,350 Japanese soldiers – one of the most casualty-intensive island battles of the Pacific war relative to the force sizes involved. The Japanese evacuated Kiska before the American retaking force arrived; American and Canadian troops landed on an empty island. These events are the only foreign military occupation of US soil during the Second World War, a fact that has remained almost unknown outside Alaska.

The Aleutian Islands stretch 1,200 miles westward from the Alaska Peninsula in a volcanic arc that marks the collision boundary between the Pacific and North American plates. They are remote, windswept, subarctic, and genuinely difficult to visit. They are also home to some of the world’s better birding, exceptional marine mammal populations, dramatic volcanic scenery, and the Unangan (Aleut) people who have lived here for at least 10,000 years.

Unalaska and Dutch Harbor

The most accessible entry point is Unalaska Island, reached by daily flights from Anchorage via Alaska Airlines (roughly 3 to 4 hours). Dutch Harbor on Unalaska is one of America’s largest fishing ports and the logistics hub for the region; the harbourfront landscape of fishing vessels, processing plants, and the backdrop of treeless volcanic hills looks nothing like any other American city.

The Museum of the Aleutians in Dutch Harbor is the best introduction to the region’s three overlapping histories: Unangan culture and prehistory, the Russian fur trading era (1740s through 1867), and World War II. The Aleutian World War II National Historic Area preserves Fort Schwatka and related sites from the American defensive buildup. What the museum explains and the sites demonstrate is that the Aleutians were simultaneously a strategic priority and a logistical nightmare for both sides in the Pacific war.

Wildlife

The subarctic North Pacific in this region supports exceptional concentrations of seabirds: tufted and horned puffins, crested auklets, marbled murrelets, and numerous pelagic species nest on the remote islands and can be observed from boats out of Dutch Harbor. Marine mammals include sea otters, Steller sea lions, fur seals, and several whale species. Licensed tour operators run wildlife-watching boat trips; the best seasons are June through August.

Mount Shishaldin

On Unimak Island east of Unalaska, Mount Shishaldin at 9,373 feet is one of the world’s most perfectly symmetrical active volcanoes. Its snow-capped cone is visible from Unalaska on clear days. It erupts periodically – the most recent significant eruption was in 2019. Experienced mountaineers tackle the ascent with proper technical preparation and permits. Most visitors see it from a distance, which is still a significant sight.

Getting There and Practical Notes

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry (MV Tustumena) provides the scenic alternative to flying: a multi-day voyage from Homer or Kodiak through the island chain, arriving at Dutch Harbor. The journey allows wildlife observation en route but requires significant time flexibility.

Accommodation is limited to small hotels and inns primarily on Unalaska and Amaknak islands; book months ahead for summer. Weather is unpredictable year-round: pack waterproofs, layers, and windproof gear regardless of the season forecast. Carry cash as not all establishments accept cards, and ATMs are limited. The visiting season is June through August; winter access is possible but with severely reduced services and very limited daylight.