This December marks the 80th anniversary of the fall of Wake Island. In 1941, a small number of marines, an even smaller number of naval personnel, and civilian contractors made Wake Island their home as they worked to construct and operate the military garrison. Unfortunately, they lacked additional personnel, weaponry, and supplies to win against an enemy attack. Nonetheless, they valiantly fought as they suffered such an attack.
For 15 days, the Americans held off the enemy against all odds before ultimately surrendering. Numerous people perished, though the vast majority of lives lost belonged to the enemy, while the majority of Americans on the atoll became prisoners of war. Nonetheless, the Battle of Wake Island provided a rallying point for Americans during the war.
Last Saturday, December 18, at noon, the Bristow VFW Post 3656 and Wake Island Memorial hosted a ceremony, The Fall of Wake Island 80th Anniversary, honoring those who defended Wake Island. Eighty-six people attended the ceremony, including veterans, marines, legislators, families, VFW Auxiliary and community members.
Members of the 45th Infantry Band brass section provided all music for the ceremony, and the Marine Corps League Sooner Detachment 559 color guard posted the colors. James Studebaker served as master of ceremonies (MC), and guest speakers included U.S. Marine Captain Mark Gaido, Inspector and Instructor for Battery F, 2d Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment and Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney and grandson of Wake Island survivor Robert Shores. Additional presenters and attendees included Marine Corps League (MCL), Department of Oklahoma Commandant Marine Chris Blake; MCL, Sooner Detachment 559 Commandant Marine Danny Thomas; MCL, Albert E. Schwab Detachment 857 Commandant Weydan Flax; Senator James Leewright, Rep resentative Kyle Hilbert, and VFW Post 3656 Commander Scot Thompson. Chaplains of both the MCL detachments 559 and 857 provided the invocation and benediction respectively.
MC Studebaker opened the ceremony by welcoming all, followed by the posting of colors and invocation. After the invocation, the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” before each guest speaker spoke to attendees. Captain Gaido provided a summary of the Battle of Wake Island and led a moment of silence for those who fought, died, and survived the battle. Next, Trent Shores spoke of his grandfather’s service on Wake Island and resultant four years as a prisoner of war, focusing on America’s freedoms. Following Mr. Shores’ moving speech, James Leewright and Kyle Hilbert presented a citation from legislature of the State of Oklahoma and signed by Governor Stitt to Commander Scot Thompson. Next, each guest speaker received a commemorative coin and certificate of appreciation. Commander Thompson also received a coin and certificate. Commandants Thomas and Flax and Commander Thompson then presented the wreath, immediately followed by taps, the benediction, “The Marines’ Hymn”, closing remarks, and a reception provided by VFW Post 3656 and Auxiliary.
Mr. Shores’ words aptly marked the occasion honoring our veterans and those brave marines of Wake Island best: “I think it is no mistake that our founding fathers talked a lot about freedom. … You cannot live life without freedom, and you surely cannot pursue happiness without freedom. … Liberty is critical and nowhere in the world … can you find a country more freedom loving, more supportive of freedom and liberty, than our great country, and we ought to remember that it’s okay to be proud of it and to honor those who fought and died for it. That’s what we’re here to do today. … It is because of the men of the United States Marine Corps and of all of our other armed services that we have this freedom.”