Wake Island 1941

"On the same day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, they also launched air attacks on Wake Island, an important American naval base still under construction in the Pacific. Three days later a Japanese invasion force was bloodily repulsed by the scratch force of Marines, sailors, and even construction-worker volunteers who defended it. Despite US efforts to relieve the island, the Japanese launched a much greater invasion attempt a few weeks later and, despite gallant resistance, the US forces were compelled to surrender. This book tells the complete story of the 16-day siege of Wake Island, and of the vicious fighting that took place in one of the legendary 'last stands' made by the US military"--Page 4 of cover.