When did the Battle of Wake Island take place?
The Battle of Wake Island began on the 8th of December 1941, within hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and ended with the American surrender on the 23rd of December 1941, lasting 15 days.
Questions about Battle of Wake Island
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Did the Wake Island defenders ever repel a Japanese attack?
Yes. On the 11th of December 1941, the Wake Island garrison repelled the first Japanese amphibious assault, sinking two destroyers, Hayate and Kisaragi, and killing 407 Japanese troops. Hayate became the first Japanese surface warship sunk in the war.
How many people were taken prisoner after the Battle of Wake Island?
At the battle's end on the 23rd of December 1941, 1,603 people were taken prisoner, including 1,150 civilians. The majority were civilian contractors employed by the Morrison-Knudsen Company.
What happened to the civilian prisoners from Wake Island in 1943?
On the 7th of October 1943, Japanese commander Shigematsu Sakaibara ordered the machine-gun execution of 98 American civilian prisoners who had been kept on Wake Island for forced labor. One prisoner escaped, carved the message "98 US PW 5-10-43" into a coral rock, was recaptured, and was personally beheaded by Sakaibara with a katana.
What happened to Shigematsu Sakaibara after the war?
Sakaibara was convicted of war crimes and executed by hanging in Guam on the 19th of June 1947. His subordinate, Lieutenant Commander Tachibana, received a death sentence that was commuted to life in prison.
Who received the Medal of Honor for the Battle of Wake Island?
Captain Henry T. Elrod of Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF-211 was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. He shot down two Japanese G3M Nells, contributed to the sinking of the destroyer Kisaragi, and led ground troops after no flyable U.S. aircraft remained.