Remembering the ‘Forgotten Battle’
Source: Victorville Daily Press (Original Article)
Sarah Alvarado/ Staff Photographer
Hesperia resident, Willard Olney, was a Navy photographer during the battle for the Aleutian Islands during World War II. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the battle for Attu, an Alaskan Island that was occupied by Japanese forces.
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Remembering the ‘Forgotten Battle’
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BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA Staff Writer
May 9, 2008 - 3:21PM
World War II conjures up images of brave soldiers fighting in famous battles such as the Midway, Battle of the Bulge, the landing at Normandy and Pearl Harbor.
One battle that has been overlooked was the battle for the Aleutian Islands near the end of the war.
“There are a lot of people who do not even know where the Aleutians are let alone what the battle was about,” said Mack Collings, 87, of Hesperia. Collings was a musician in the Army band.
A small Japanese force occupied the Alaskan islands of Attu and Kiska which are part of the Aleutian Islands, on June 6, 1942.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the battle for Attu and the 66th anniversary for the entire campaign.
The Amex Gold Japanese reasoned that control of the …continue reading