Wake Island served as a refueling base for the Pan American Pacific Clipper. Amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Japan, the U.S. strategically established a base on the island in January 1941. To defend the island, 450 Marines were deployed, accompanied by six 5-inch naval guns and twelve marine fighter aircraft.

Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese launched an air assault against Wake Island, successfully destroying eight of the twelve aircraft on the ground. The remaining aircraft were airborne. The Japanese subsequently conducted two additional air raids against the island. On December 11th, the Japanese attempted to land on the island, but the Marines valiantly repelled the assault, sinking the Japanese destroyer Yubari with the shore-based guns and the destroyer Hayate from the air.

Despite the successful defense, the U.S. attempted to resupply the island. However, the mission was terminated upon discovering the presence of Japanese attack carriers in the vicinity. The carriers Sōryū and Hiryū, which had participated in the Pearl Harbor attack, joined the earlier invasion force. On December 23rd, the larger invasion force commenced its landing operations on the island.

The outnumbered 450 Marines were swiftly overwhelmed by the four fighter planes. On December 24th, the island’s garrison surrendered. The Japanese occupied Wake Island until 1945. During their occupation, they perpetrated a horrific massacre of 84 American civilian workers who had been stationed on the island. The Japanese commander was subsequently tried for war crimes after the war and executed by hanging.