Aleutian World War II National Historic Area (U.S. National Park Service)

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Mysteries and Memories

Perched on Mount Ballyhoo in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the concrete remains of the Aleutian World War II National Historic Area speak silently of a time of war. This magical place was the stage for two American tragedies: here, servicemen fought both the Japanese and the extreme weather, as hundreds of native Unangan people were interned a thousand miles away, longing to return to their island homes.
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An American GI takes cover from Japanese snipers on Attu, May 1943.

The Aleutian Campaign

For fifteen arduous months, American forces in the Aleutians suffered through Arctic gales, bitter cold, and painful isolation as they fought to eject the Japanese from Attu and Kiska islands. The Aleutian Campaign claimed thousands of lives and culminated in one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific. Find out more about this little-known chapter in our history by clicking here.

		Unangan (Aleut) Evacuation and Internment In a tragic and shameful episode, the U.S. government forcibly removed nearly 900 Unangan (Aleut) people from their homes in the Aleutian and Pribilof islands in 1942. These innocent civilians were taken to Southeast Alaska and placed in internment camps, where they spent the next three years in squalid and appalling conditions. Read more about the evacuation, the internees, and restitution here.

Birthplace of Winds, Cradle of Storms: The Aleutian Islands

On the map, the Aleutian archipelago appears as a series of stepping stones stretching from Alaska to Siberia. At the northern edge of the Ring of Fire, these volcanic islands rise steeply from the waters of the North Pacific and the Bering Sea. The richness of the flora and fauna is unparalleled. Learn more about this remarkable corner of the world here.

Write to

Ounalashka Corporation
P.O. Box 149
Unalaska, AK 99685

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Phone

Visitor Information
(907) 581-1276

Visitor Center
(907) 581-9944

Climate

The Aleutian Islands are known for unpredictable and stormy weather. Rain, fog, and wind are common. Dress warmly and carry rain gear even in summer. Summer temperatures range from 45 to 65 degrees F. Early summer and fall often have clear sunny days with spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes.