The Battle of Midway

After their setback in the Coral Sea, the Japanese sought to draw off American strength by a feint against Alaska, while massing a heavy concentration of forces for an attack on Midway Island. The U.S. Navy had broken the Japanese naval code, however, and was aware of the Japanese plan.

Again a long-range carrier battle was fought. It began on June 4, 1942. When it was over on June 6 the Japanese had lost four carriers and one cruiser; the United States had lost the carrier Yorktown and one destroyer. The Japanese also suffered the loss of many of their finest pilots. Midway was the effective turning point in the naval war in the Pacific.

On June 3, the Japanese attempted to invade Dutch Harbor, a settlement in the Aleutian Archipelago in Alaska. They were driven back by heavy American air raids, but occupied Attu and Kiska islands during their retreat. This was the only time that Japanese troops occupied American soil during the war. In May, 1943, a U.S. Army landing was made on Attu and the Japanese garrison was wiped out. A landing was made on Kiska on August 15, 1943, but the Japanese had already withdrawn.