[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22117]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            RECOGNIZING THE HEROES OF THE ALEUTIANS CAMPAIGN

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to share a story about a 
remarkable group of veterans that fought for our freedom over 50 years 
ago. During October 4-7, 2001, a small band of World War II veterans 
and their families gathered in Anchorage for what was probably their 
last reunion. They shared the common experience of having fought an air 
war in one of the most difficult theaters of operations during World 
War II, the Aleutian Islands.
  For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit the 
Aleutians, let me tell you what you are missing. Some of the harshest 
and most unbearable weather exists in this region of my State. Some 
call the Aleutians the birth place of the winds. It is my honor to 
recognize these fine men who fought to protect our nation.
  These courageous individuals are also the founders of today's 
Eleventh Air Force. Appropriately, those who spent their youth 
defending Alaska elected ``Back to Our Roots,'' as their reunion theme.
  The men and women of the Eleventh Air Force served their Nation well, 
helping drive the Japanese from the western Aleutian Islands of Attu 
and Kiska during the Aleutian Campaign. It was the only campaign fought 
on the North American continent during the war. It was also the first 
time since the War of 1812 that a foreign military force had occupied 
North American soil.
  Later, the men of the Eleventh Air Force flew some of the war's 
longest missions against Japanese installations in the northern Kurile 
Islands from bases on Attu and Shemya Islands. During the Aleutian 
Campaign, the veterans of the Eleventh Air Force flew 297 missions and 
dropped 3,662 tons of bombs on Japanese installations on Attu and 
Kiska. One hundred and fourteen men were killed; another forty-two were 
reported missing in action and another forty-six died as a result of 
accidents.
  Following the end of the campaign, the Eleventh Air Force was reduced 
in strength from a high of 16,526 in August 1943 to a low of 6,849 by 
the war's end. The two bomber squadrons that remained along with Navy 
air units flew bombing and reconnaissance missions against Japanese 
targets in the northern Kurile Islands. The military used the highly 
classified operation, code named Wedlock, which also involved submarine 
patrols and shore bombardment, to divert Japanese attention north and 
mislead them about U.S. strategy in the Pacific.
  It succeeded in its objective. The Japanese increased their garrison 
in the northern Kuriles from 8,000 in 1943, to 41,000 in 1944. They 
maintained 400 aircraft there in anticipation that America was planning 
to invade Japan by a northern route.
  During this time, Eleventh Air Force bombers flew 276 missions, 
losing 74 crew members killed in action and 11 taken prisoners of war, 
of which 3 died in captivity. Another 179 were interned in the Soviet 
Union--where they landed after experiencing difficulties returning to 
their home bases. They were among the 291 young American aircrews who 
temporarily wound up in Soviet hands as the result of the air war in 
the Pacific.
  Unlike other World War II theaters of operations, the Aleutians has 
not been properly recognized. The men and women who served on those 
wind swept and hauntingly beautiful islands have not been forgotten. 
Alaskans are grateful for what they did to defend our freedom and land. 
Their efforts, and those who served elsewhere in the territory, 
contributed immeasurably to the growth and development of my State. 
They helped provide the foundation that ultimately led to the 
achievement of statehood.
  Those who fought for our Nation's values during a difficult time in 
the Aleutians and the North Pacific Theater are truly heros. It is my 
honor to say thank you and recognize them on this Veterans Day.

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