BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — It's a historic battle few know of. The battle of Wake Island happened at the same time as Pearl Harbor, on an island on the Pacific.
Seventy-five years ago, Japanese bombers hit the American Marine outpost, targeting civilians and marines.
One of those civilians was Noah Barnes great-grandfather. He later died as a prisoner of war in Sasebo, Japan.
"If not for him, I probably wouldn't have done it," Barnes said.
Barnes used his great-grandpa as an inspiration to his Boy Scout Eagle project. Five years ago, he assembled the only Wake Island memorial in the continental U.S. And on Wednesday, he was reminded of that accomplishment.
"Everyone who's been affected by it - to see it with them, to talk with them - it's great," said Barnes.
Several Idahoans lived on the island during that time, as Boise-based Morrison Knudsen Construction had employees stationed there.
"I remember the day we all gathered around that radio, on a Sunday," said Alice Inghm, who was married to a Wake Island survivor.
Inghm says because of this, she is one of the lucky ones. And 75 years later, she's grateful to have a place to reflect.
"I think it's finally their due to have a memorial," she said.
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