The Japanese Occupation of the Aleutian Islands
Pvt.
Joe Martinez etched his name in history as the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II.
In June 1942, the Japanese launched occupations of the Aleutian islands, specifically Attu and Kiska.
This strategic move aimed to divert U.S. Navy attention from the crucial Battle of Midway, but it ultimately proved disastrous for Japan.
The occupation posed a significant threat to Allied shipping routes in the northern Pacific, marking the first time in over a century that enemy troops had set foot on American soil.
After a series of intense air and naval skirmishes that isolated the Japanese garrison, the 7th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Albert E. Brown and supported by the Royal Canadian Air Force, commenced Operation Landcrab.
On May 11, 1943, approximately 15,000 troops landed on Attu.
Facing them was a Japanese force of around 2,900 men.
Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki chose to withdraw his troops into the mountains instead of defending the beachheads directly, hoping to inflict maximum casualties on American forces before facing their eventual defeat.
This tactic mirrored strategies employed in later significant battles, such as Peleliu and Iwo Jima.
However, Attu held an additional distinction: it was the only combat engagement during WWII that unfolded under harsh winter conditions between American and Japanese forces.
The Heroic Actions of Pvt. Joe Martinez
Born on July 27, 1920, in Taos, New Mexico, Joe Martinez enlisted in August 1942, becoming a soldier at the age of 22.
After completing basic training at Camp Roberts, California, he was assigned to Company K of the 32nd Regiment within the 7th Infantry Division.
As American forces landed in Holtz Bay, conditions were grim.
The troops faced relentless elements, including severe weather, rugged terrain, and fierce enemy resistance involving mortars and close-quarters combat.
Armed with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), Pvt.
Martinez played a pivotal role in bolstering his unit’s firepower.
By late May, U.S. troops reached a crucial mountain ridge overlooking a key snowy area, where Japanese defenses remained formidable.
Despite multiple attempts to drive the enemy away from their well-fortified position, the American forces could not achieve success.
On May 26, 1943, a coordinated assault was launched.
Though the initial push faltered, it was Martinez’s resolve that sparked a turning point.
He boldly advanced alone, using his BAR and grenades to take out enemy positions.
His fearless assault became a rallying cry for his fellow soldiers, spurring them to follow his lead.
Martinez pressed on until he reached a height known as the Fishhook.
There, while targeting the final Japanese trench, he was shot in the head.
In the chaos of battle, comrades attempted to rescue him but found it impossible amidst the turmoil.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The next day, K Company discovered that the Japanese had retreated, but tragically, it was too late to save Pvt.
Martinez, who had succumbed to his wounds.
His courageous actions played a crucial role in the capture of a vital pass, significantly diminishing organized Japanese resistance on the island.
Recognizing the dire situation, Colonel Yamasaki ordered a desperate banzai charge on May 29, leading his remaining troops into battle, where he ultimately lost his life.
In the aftermath, American forces buried 2,351 Japanese soldiers, suffering significant losses themselves, with 547 killed and more than 1,800 wounded or frostbitten.
As Allied forces readied for the next phase at Kiska Island, a Japanese naval unit successfully evacuated their troops on July 28, bringing an end to the occupation of the Aleutians.
On November 11, 1943, Pvt.
Martinez’s family received his posthumous Medal of Honor from Brigadier General Frank L. Culin Jr. His legacy extends beyond being the first Mexican American to receive the award; he was also the first from New Mexico, the first from Colorado, and notably, the first private to earn the Medal of Honor in WWII.
To honor his bravery, the U.S. named the Victory-class cargo ship USNS Private Joe P. Martinez after him, which served during the Korean War.
Additionally, in Denver, a bronze statue captures Martinez in action with his BAR, serving as a lasting tribute to his courage and sacrifice.
Source: Militarytimes