Fort Randall (Cold Bay, Alaska)
Cold Bay · Alaska · World War II
History & Significance
Part of Alaska's secret military buildup beginning in 1941, Fort Randall was built with U.S. Army personnel disguised as civilian employees of the Blair Canning and Packing Company. The installation housed an Army airfield, coastal defenses, and a small naval facility.
Because of Alaska's military commanders' foresight, Fort Randall and Cape Field at Umnak were ready to contribute to the defense of Alaska during the Battle of Dutch Harbor in June 1942. Fort Randall hosted the 73d Bombardment Squadron and 344th Fighter Squadron; naval gun batteries included a two-gun 6-inch battery at Grant Point and a four-gun 155mm battery at Mortensen's Lagoon.
"Navy Town," the naval facilities southeast of the airfield, included a dispersed hospital complex of Quonset huts that became a standard design model for the Aleutians. Project Hula operated from spring through summer 1945, with naval facilities including housing, theater, hospital, and runway. As the Aleutian campaign moved westward in 1942–1943, Cold Bay declined in strategic value; by March 1945 considerable portions were abandoned and in disrepair.
Key Facts
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Sources
- https://www.loc.gov/item/ak0207/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornbrough_Air_Force_Base
- https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ak0207/
- https://www.poa.usace.army.mil/Portals/34/docs/civilworks/publicreview/ColdBayFUDSEAFONSIOct2013.pdf
- https://www.kucb.org/regional/2025-05-09/cold-bay-residents-uncover-a-completely-forgotten-wwii-cemetery
- https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Fort_Randall_(Alaska)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleutian_Islands_campaign