bigpigeon.us webpage WWII - Japan > North Pacific > Attu & Kiska, updated by RAC 18 May 2022.
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Japanese forces had occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska in the western Aleutians in June 1942.
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The Aleutian Islands in WW II
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On 11 May 1943, elements of the United States 7th Infantry Division invaded the Japanese-held island of Attu. As the campaign was nearing completion on 29 May, a front-line US infantry company temporarily left its positions for a hot meal. During its absence, the remaining Japanese on Attu launched a banzai charge which swept through some rear-line positions before being halted.
All together on Attu, the United States lost 549 dead, including Major Jack Siddens from Council Bluffs, killed during the Japanese charge. |
Searching for War Dead in Siddens Valley, Attu 2009
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In August 1943, American and Canadian forces invaded Kiska, only to discover that Kiska had already been evacuated. Nevertheless 92 Allied soldiers and sailors died from mined waters, booby traps and friendly fire.
Sources for the Attu & Kiska webpage:
Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - Attu and Kiska:
† Siddens, Jack Kenneth, SN O-329806, US Army, Pott. Co.
- The page header image The Attu Cemetery is courtesy of the World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The Aleutian Islands in WW II is courtesy of history.army.mil.
- The Searching for War Dead in Siddens Valley, Attu, 2009 was found at https://www.army.mil/article/27076/alaska_engineers_further_wwii_recovery_effort_on_attu_island.
Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - Attu and Kiska:
- Taken from the bigpigeon.us WWII Roster module.
† Siddens, Jack Kenneth, SN O-329806, US Army, Pott. Co.
- C.O. 3rd Bn., 17th Inf. Regt., 7th Inf. Div.; KIA 29 May 1943, Attu, Aleutian Is., Alaska Territory; Battle of Attu - North Pacific > Attu & Kiska.