Wake Islabnd

**Wake Island** is a small atoll in the Pacific Ocean that gained significant military importance during World War II. In December 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a small garrison of U.S. Marines, Navy personnel, and civilian contractors bravely defended the island against a massive Japanese assault. Despite being heavily outnumbered and bombarded, the defenders managed to repel the initial invasion before being overwhelmed and forced to surrender after a two-week siege. The heroic stand at Wake Island became a symbol of American resilience and valor during the early days of the Pacific War. The island remained under Japanese occupation until it was surrendered back to U.S. forces at the end of the war.