Lat N 24°16'  Long E 154°00'  North-west Pacific Island, named "Southern Bird Island", the eastern most island of Japan. The nearest island group is the Mariana Islands. Claimed by Japan July 19, 1898.

Wartime History
Over 4,000 Japanese soldiers were stationed on the island. Bypassed during the war, it was bombed by American forces only. Heavily defended by trench system and beach defenses around the perimeter of the island plus light and heavy anti-aircraft batteries. At the end of the war, the garrison surrendered on August 31, 1945 to US Army General Whiting.

In 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco placed the island under American jurisdiction. In 1964 the U. S. Coast Guard opened a LORAN-C navigation station on Marcus, whose mast was until 1985 one of the tallest structures in the Pacific area. In the 1980s the Loran station was maintained by 23 Coast Guard personell. In 1968, it was sold backto Japan. Administratively, the island is considered part of Ogasawara, Tokyo.

Marcus Airfield (Minami Tori Shima Airfield)
Japanese built airfield that spanned the length of the island.

American Missions Against Marcus
March 4, 1942 - July 4, 1945