Fort Mears
Fort Mears (1941-1945) - A World War II U.S. Army Coastal Fort first established in 1941 in Dutch Harbor, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. Named Fort Mears after Colonel Frederick Mears, who helped develop the Alaska Railroad system. Abandoned in 1945.
World War II (1941-1945)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Dutch Harbor.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery 155 - Hill 400 | 4 | 155mm | Panama Mounts | 1942-1943-1943-1944 | $ ? | Tac 2 Hill 400 |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
Construction on Fort Mears began in Dutch Harbor in 1940 and was completed in 1941. The first U.S. Army troops arrived in June 1941. Fort Mears served as the headquarters and garrison for the coastal defenses of Dutch Harbor.
During World War II Dutch Harbor was attacked by Japanese forces in a battle that lasted for two days. The battle began on 3 Jun 1942 with air attacks on Durch Harbor. U.S. casualties included 43 killed. Only one Japanese casualty was confirmed.
Fort Mears was abandoned at the end of the war.
Current Status
Some remains in Dutch Harbor, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska.
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 2365029
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: Dutch Harbor, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. Maps & Images Lat: 53.8875 Long: -166.5416667 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 23-24
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of Dutch Harbor, (SRHDDH), 1944, CDSG
- CDSG
Links:
Visited: No
Fort Mears Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |