Wake Island

Wake Island is a coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean administered by the United States as an unincorporated territory. Its strategic location made it a military outpost and a site of major fighting during World War II.

Battle of Wake Island: A 1941 battle in which Japanese forces captured Wake Island from its United States defenders. The battle made the atoll a focal point of the Pacific War.
Atoll: A ring-shaped coral reef or island enclosing a lagoon, usually formed around a sinking volcanic island. Wake Island’s land consists of low coral islands around a central lagoon.
Spanish exploration of the Pacific: Voyages by Spanish navigators that charted and claimed islands across the Pacific from the sixteenth century onward. Spanish navigators recorded Wake before its later American claim.
Pacific War: The Second World War conflict fought across the Pacific and East Asia between Japan and the Allied powers. Wake’s capture and occupation formed part of this wider conflict.
Siege of Wake Island: The Japanese blockade and bombardment of Wake Island after its capture in December 1941. The siege followed the American garrison’s surrender and preceded years of occupation.
Coral reef: A marine ecosystem built chiefly by calcium-carbonate structures produced by reef-building corals. Reef growth and accumulation formed the foundation of Wake’s atoll.
United States expedition to Wake Island: The 1899 American expedition that formally took possession of Wake Island for the United States. The expedition established the U.S. claim that underlies present administration.
United States Pacific Air Forces: The United States Air Force command responsible for air operations across the Pacific region. The command operates the airfield and military presence on Wake.
Wake Island Prisoners of War: American military personnel and civilian contractors captured by Japan on Wake Island in 1941. Their captivity followed the Japanese seizure of the atoll.
North Pacific Ocean: The northern part of the Pacific Ocean, stretching between Asia, Oceania, and North America. Wake’s position in this ocean places it between major Pacific regions.

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