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  IJN December 1941   USN February 24, 1942  USN c1944  USN September 20, 1945  Kirby Crawford 1967 |
Location Lat 19° 16' 56N Long 166° 38' 11E Wake Island Airfield is located at an elevation of 14' above sea level oriented roughly east to west, spanning the length of Wake Island at the southeast of Wake Atoll surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. In 1899 the United States took possession of Wake Atoll. Today Wake Island is unorganized, unincorporated territory and is considered part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands of the United States of America (USA). Construction Built by Morrison-Knudsen Company, one of eight construction companies called the Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases (CPNB). Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Morrison-Knudsen was contracted to build an airfield, seaplane and submarine base on the island. Also, to dredge a channel into the lagoon to allow submarine access. By early Dec 1941 the runway was sufficient length but was deemed to be too narrow and was only safe for use by one plane at a time and parking space was restricted. There were no facilities and expansion and parking area was needed. Wartime History On December 3, 1941 twelve F4F-3 Wildcats from Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211) were flown off USS Enterprise (CV-6) and landed at Wake Island Airfield. Refueling was done by a bowser truck but the trucks were refueled by hand pumps from drums. On December 4, 1941 the squadron and civilian contractors started building revetments for parked planes. On December 6, 1941 after months of working seven days a week, the contractors and Marines of the 1st Defense Battalion took the day off. American units based at Wake Island Airfield VMF-211 (F4F Wildcats) USS Enterprise CV-6 arrives December 2, 1941–December 23, 1941 surrendered On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, bombed by Japanese Type 96 bombers. On December 23, 1941 during the early morning, the second Japanese invasion force arrives off Wake Island and Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) troops make an amphibious landing. After a short battle, the U.S. garrison surrenders and the Japanese capture Wake Island and Wake Atoll. Japanese missions against Wake Island Airfield December 8, 1941–December 23, 1941 At Wake Island Airfield, the Japanese capture F4F Wildcats from VMF-211 and sometime in late December photographed a F4F Wildcat without a propeller, this plane was likely, F4F-3 Wildcat 4019 or F4F Wildcat 4022. During the Japanese occupation, repaired and expanded for use by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a military airfield. They expanded the airfield and built revetments for parked planes using the American Prisoners Of War (POW) laborers. Starting in February 1942 targeted by U.S. Navy carrier planes and later B-24 Liberators until the end of the Pacific War. American missions against Wake February 14, 1942–August 6, 1945 Facing Fearful Odds by Gregory Urwin: "After the fall of the island, the American POWs were marched to the runway and seated in rows facing a line of Japanese machine guns. The men were certain that they were to be executed. Indeed, this was the plan of the Japanese Special Naval Landing Force troops who held them. Only the intervention of Rear Admiral Sadamichi Kajioka, who commanded the invasion force, prevented the slaughter. After Kajioka arrived, an interpreter read a proclamation to the prisoners that said, in part: "The Emperor has gracefully presented you with your lives." An unknown voice bellowed from the crowd of Americans: "Well, thank the son-of-a-bitch." With the exception of a handful of senior military officers and contractors held indoors, the captives remained three days and two nights on the rocky runway." Wake Island Airfield was used by the Japanese until the official surrender of Japan. On September 4, 1945 the Japanese garrison on Wake surrendered. Several Japanese aircraft were abandoned at Wake Island Airfield including a G3M2 Nell and A6M Zero Tail Y2-1??. Postwar Occupied by American forces and repaired for use as a military airfield. Today Still in use today as Wake Island Airfield as a military airport with restricted access. Today, administered by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) under an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The single runway is oriented 28/10 measures 8,843' x 150' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: FAA: AWK ICAO: PWAK IATA: AWK. References History of the Fifth Bomb Group: The Story of 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) (1946) page 34 "Wake Island... On or about June 7 [1942] Colonel Waldron and crew of the 394th Squadron took part in a strike against Jap-held Wake Island. On this mission three enlisted men [Moeller, Scheid and Wagner] of the 394th were lost when they went down with General Clarence Tinker [aboard LB-30 Liberator AL589]. Another mission was performed by the Commanding Officer of the 31st Squadron Major George E. Gober. Major Gober and his crew flew almost halfway to Japan in making a photo reconnaissance of Wake Island. This single B-17 completely surprised the Japs, making to runs over the island before being attacked by six enemy fighters. In 40 minutes of a running fight four of the Zero were shot down by the lone Fortress and one of the Zeros was probably destroyed. The B-7 [sic B-17] and its crew received slight damage only, and returned safely to the home base [Midway Airfield]. This reconnaissance produced the first picture of Wake Island made since the Pearl Harbor attack." Contribute
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