Info re: Adak AK USMC

[vetsdaughter]

Hi everyone, I'm Donna, my dad was at Adak 23 Aug 1944 - 11 Apr 1945. I'm trying to find out what his duties were while there. I have his service record, it only says MB, NOB, Adak, Alaska. The only comments I remember him making were that it was cold (!) up there - we're from MN, so it probably wasn't too much colder than he was used to - and he said they guarded prisoners of war. Does anyone know anything about POWs at Adak??? I've googled everything I can think of and no luck. His record does say he was in Prison Company, Guard Battalion when he returned to Camp Pendleton - any POWs there? And yes, I should have asked more questions while he was here to answer, unfortunately he died 1979. I would really appreciate any help you can offer, I did a forum search on "Adak," but didn't see anything relevant. Maybe someone can steer me in the right direction... Thanks so much, vetsdaughter

[Karma]

Welcome to the forums Donna, there are plenty of people here who can assist you with what you're looking for.

[vetsdaughter]

Thanks for the encouragement, Karma. I've been semi-computer-literate for 15 years or so and it still amazes me that we can instantly be in contact with someone halfway round the world. I appreciate you getting in touch. This site appears to have a wealth of expertise, I'm sure someone will be able to provide the information I'm seeking.

[LRusso216]

Here's a little summary of actions in the Aleutians that refers to the taking of Adak. WWII History (try googling adak alaska ww2 for more)

What branch of the service was your father in? That might help in narrowing down what he did. I'm not familiar with the abbreviations, but I'm sure there are others who can fill you in.

[macrusk]

I don't know if you found these before (please note that for some of the sites you will need to do a find/search for the word adak)

Alaska Pictures - Aleutian Peninsula And Islands - World War II

Adak Island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Adak Island has been the home to Aleut peoples since ancient times. Russian explorers in the 1700s also visited the island but made no permanent settlements. During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army took control of two of the most western Aleutian Islands - Attu and Kiska. The Japanese also attacked the American base at Dutch Harbor by air. In response, the United States military began a campaign to unseat the invaders. Since the nearest US military presence was in Cold Bay, Alaska, the military began to construct bases in the western Aleutian Islands from which to launch operations against the Japanese. Adak Island was chosen as the site of an airfield, and flight operations began in September 1942. In May, 1943, American soldiers landed on Attu Island and defeated the Japanese garrison there, with 2,300 Japanese and 550 American deaths recorded. Expecting a similar battle for Kiska Island, soldiers landing there found that the occupiers had been stealthily evacuated by Japanese naval forces. Even so, over 313 American soldiers died from friendly fire, mines, and other anti-personnel devices. In 1953 remains of 236 Japanese dead who had been buried in Adak Cemetery were reburied in Japan's Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery.

After the war was over, the approximately 6,000 American military men who served on Adak at the height of World War II activity would recall[who?] Adak's cold, foggy, windy weather; mud; Quonset huts; few women and no trees; and a volcano that from time to time would issue puffs of smoke. Fresh food was a rarity."

As an extra note, Attu Island was where the 1st Special Service Forces (aka The Devil's Brigade).

History of United States Naval ... - Google Books

Aleutian Islands Campaign | World War II Database

http://www.nps.gov/akso/CR/akrcultur...ce%20Guide.pdf

WWII History

Texas A&M University-Commerce Libraries Digital Collections : Browse

The Forgotten Theater U.S. Submarine Operations in the Aleutians in World War II

I found another, but since its hanging my computer up, I don't want to lose this post, so I'll add for now.

[macrusk]

This next post would have been quicker if I'd not hit the back button on the wrong tab!!!!! So to redo (and I admit I'm not looking as closely as the first go around so you will need to strain through for the relevant information)....

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/o..._landmarks.pdf

California Military History: A Short History of the California National Guard in World War II

Aleutian Islands: Definition from Answers.com

Alaska's Digital Archives : Search Results

World War II Adak Prisoners of War - Google Search

Alarm in the Aleutians - THE HISTORY CHANNEL CLUB

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/e...es/efd2929.pdf

Thousand-Mile War

Minnesota History Quarterly: Featured Article

Air Force Combat Units of World War II - Part 8

A Guide to the Good War, Visual Collections

http://www.richthistle.com/aviation-...n-campaign-ww2

Aleutian's Bibliography A bibliography about WWII in the Aleutians, including Adak Island

http://aleutstory.tv/downloads/AS_Feb2006.doc

In Depth in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska at Frommer's

Hope at least some of these were new!! BTW, Welcome to the Forum!

WWII service includes narrow escapes at sea mentions red glow of volcano ...

Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett ... - Google Books

HAMMETT, DASHIELL.; THE BATTLE OF THE ALEUTIANS.

http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/...ids/PCA175.doc

HyperWar: Army Air Forces in WWII: Volume VII: Services Around the World [Chapter 10]

[applevalleyjoe]

Hello Donna...welcome to the forums.

[applevalleyjoe]

Macrusk....good work. I used some of your links to get info and one thing led to another. I recognized your efforts with a salute. Again, well-done. Thanks.

[LRusso216]

Michelle, you are a treasure. Those links will keep Donna busy and probably be much more helpful than the little site I found. Great work.

[dgmitchell]

Hello Donna ~ Let me add to the many welcomes that you have received. I would tell you that there are a lot of helpful people here, but you already know that by now!

[vetsdaughter]

Wow! Thanks to all of you, and especially for all those links, Macrusk. We're just finishing up deer season but can't wait to start digging thru all the info provided. From my dad's service record: He was a Marine, it says "Guard Patrolman (Prim) 522" while he was at Adak, maybe someone will recognise that designation. Again, Many thanks! Donna

[Buten42]

Hey macrust, I don't know how you find all that stuff but you continue to amaze. Nothing left for vetsdaughter to do but skin the deer and start reading. Good luck on both, and welcome aboard.

[vetsdaughter]

Hi, All. No deer to skin, so have been able to look at a few of the links. To go back to Greybeard's question on the initials, I think MB = Marine Barracks, NOB = Naval Operations Base. . .but I don't think that will help much on the ? of POWs held at Adak. Lots of links to go, so maybe something will turn up on that ? before I'm done. Again thanks to everyone, your willingness to help is wonderful. Donna

[formerjughead]

Sounds like you dad was stationed at Marine Barracks-Naval Operations Base/ Naval Airfield: Adak Alaska.

Adak was developed when the Japanese landed and took control of Kiska and Attu, the two western most islands, in the Aleutian chain. Flight operations against the Japanese took place from Adak.

To the best of my knowledge Adak was never attacked.

Your dad's duties, I am sure consisted of installation security and in the case of attack defending the island.

Here is a link to some photographs of Adak through the years:

Adak Alaska Photographic History

[vetsdaughter]

Thanks, formerjughead - what a wealth of info in the photographic history. With that and all of Michelle's links I'll be looking at stuff for weeks! My dad said he wasn't in combat while at Adak, the thing that puzzles me is 'guarding POWs' - I know he said that and can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be true, he had no reason to make it up. I've found info on German POWs in the Glacier Bay area and other places in AK, just no mention of any at Adak. The only other place he was stationed was Camp Pendleton in '45 - '46, after serving at Adak. I hope to get it figured out someday, can't thank everyone enough for all the info. While I'm saying 'thanks,' want to thank you and all the other Vets for their service, when ever and where ever that was. Freedom isn't free and you and your families are the ones who've paid the price. Sincerely, Donna 'vetsdaughter.'

[LRusso216]

Donna, I came across this site. Listed in the bibliography is an article entitled “German Prisoners of War in Alaska: The POW Camp
at Excursion Inlet.” Alaska Journal 14 (1984): 16-20.
I don't know if this helps, or even if you can get a copy of this journal, but it's something. Check out the whole site, it is an interesting read with lots of resources you can explore. http://www.nps.gov/akso/CR/akrcultur...ce%20Guide.pdf

[macrusk]

One of the things I found and hoped was not related is the internees at Dutch Harbour on Adak Island. The internees were the natives of the island. Sadly, not a good story so have hoped that you will find something within the links more specifically related to Japanese or German POWs being held on the island.

[formerjughead]

Originally Posted by vetsdaughter

Thanks, formerjughead - ....My dad said he wasn't in combat while at Adak, the thing that puzzles me is 'guarding POWs' - I know he said that and can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be true, he had no reason to make it up. I've found info on German POWs in the Glacier Bay area and other places in AK, just no mention of any at Adak. ..... Sincerely, Donna 'vetsdaughter.'

Here is some info on Japanese POWs at Adak:

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/e...s/efd2929.html

The quick version is that 28 were captured after the Battle of Massacre Bay on Attu. It seems they were held at Adak for a while.

there is even a picture here:
Alaska's Digital Archives : Item Viewer

[LRusso216]

There were German POWS at Excursion Inlet, although it seems far away. Here's a link to some pictures.Alaska's Digital Archives : Search Results

[vetsdaughter]

Thanks for all the good leads. I'm still sifting thru links and sites, but a few comments: Michelle, I had found the info on the internees at Dutch Harbor, a sad chapter indeed. MN has many Native Americans where we live, my dad had friends among that community. I think if that had been the case, guarding Aleut Pows, he would have mentioned that specifically, he would have been very interested to meet and know native Aleuts. Lou, I had found the photos and info on the German POWs at Excursion Inlet, thought I was onto something until I found out my dad was at Adak and nowhere else in AK. That nps.gov link has lots of good stuff tho, and I'm not thru sifting thru all of it, so more info may come from that. Formerjughead, I've been thru the report on the Battle at Attu several times, it was indeed 'a nightmare.'
That was early '43, my dad wasn't there until Aug '44 - May '45. Would they have held so few POWs there for such a long time, do you think?

I've learned a lot more than I had a few days ago and have lots more leads to follow. I can't thank you all enough, its great to have so much interest and support in this. Please keep the suggestions coming and again, many thanks. Donna

[T. A. Gardner]

Originally Posted by formerjughead

Sounds like you dad was stationed at Marine Barracks-Naval Operations Base/ Naval Airfield: Adak Alaska.

Adak was developed when the Japanese landed and took control of Kiska and Attu, the two western most islands, in the Aleutian chain. Flight operations against the Japanese took place from Adak.

To the best of my knowledge Adak was never attacked.

Your dad's duties, I am sure consisted of installation security and in the case of attack defending the island.

Here is a link to some photographs of Adak through the years:

Adak Alaska Photographic History

That's my take. A MarDet on an NOB normally conducts base security. One advantage to this sort of duty is that most Naval Operating Base Marine Detachments are small. Typically they are about 30 to 60 men or so in size. They might reach 100 on a larger base. This makes for a much more tight knit community with more commradory than a large unit would have.