While the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, dominates our understanding of World War II’s turning points, a lesser-known but equally significant event unfolded almost two years prior: the Japanese invasion of American territory. Many people ask, Why Did Japan Invade America? The answer lies not on the continental US, but on the remote, strategically important Aleutian Islands of Alaska. On June 7, 1942, Japanese forces landed on Attu Island, marking the only land battle of WWII fought on U.S. soil.
Attu, an Aleutian island closer to Japan than mainland Alaska, became the target of Japanese expansion in the Pacific. At the time of the invasion, the island was sparsely populated, with only Charles and Etta Jones, two non-native Americans, and around 45 Aleut natives residing there.
According to historical accounts, the arrival of Japanese soldiers at the Joneses’ home was a rude awakening. They reportedly interrogated 62-year-old Etta Jones at bayonet point, demanding to know, “How many are here?” Her defiant reply, “Two. How many have you?” was met with the chilling answer, “Two thousand.”
By 1943, the Japanese presence on Attu swelled to over 2,300 troops, fortifying the island as a strategic defense point. This occupation led to the brutal Battle of Attu, beginning on May 11, 1943, when American forces launched a counter-invasion to reclaim the island.
The Battle of Attu unfolded on a harsh, barren landscape, becoming one of the most savage clashes in the Pacific Theater. American troops faced fierce resistance from entrenched Japanese soldiers positioned in the higher ground. The fighting was exceptionally costly for both sides. The US forces suffered 549 fatalities and a staggering 3,829 casualties in total, representing 25% of their invading force – a casualty rate second only to Iwo Jima in the Pacific campaign. Japanese losses were even more devastating, with 2,351 deaths and only 28 survivors, many of whom perished in a final, desperate banzai charge on May 29, 1943, choosing self-destruction over surrender.
Attu Island, a remote Alaskan island invaded by Japan during World War II
Etta Jones’ ordeal continued as she was taken prisoner after her husband’s death early in the invasion and transported to Tokyo. She endured captivity until September 1, 1945, when she was finally liberated and returned home. Upon her return, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, her former employer, provided her with $7,371.00 in back pay, a small compensation for her immense suffering and loss.
The invasion of Attu Island, though often overshadowed by larger WWII events, remains a crucial chapter in American history. It highlights the global reach of the conflict and answers the question, why did Japan invade America? Japan’s strategic objectives in seizing Attu and other Aleutian islands likely included establishing a defensive perimeter in the North Pacific and potentially diverting American forces away from the central Pacific, where pivotal battles like Midway were being fought. The fierce battle to reclaim Attu underscores the unwavering commitment of American forces to defend US territory, even in the most remote and challenging environments.
