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ID HCR027
Concurrent Resolution
Status
3/9/2026
Primary Sponsor
State Affairs Committee
Click for details
AI Summary
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The Idaho Legislature honors 225 Idaho civilians who worked on Wake Island building a U.S. Navy base when Japan attacked on December 7, 1941, five hours after Pearl Harbor.
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32 Idahoans died as a result of their service: 5 killed during the 16-day siege, 10 executed by Japanese forces on October 7, 1943, and 17 who died as slave laborers in POW camps in China and Japan.
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Civilian contractors employed by Morrison-Knudsen Company aided U.S. Marines during the battle; after capture, over 1,000 Americans were transported to Japan and China as POWs while 98 were forced to remain on Wake Island.
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In 1981, the U.S. Department of Defense recognized Wake Island civilian defenders as eligible for military discharge, medals, and veterans' benefits.
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Veterans Memorial Park in Boise contains a monument honoring those who served on Wake Island.
Legislative Description
States findings of the Legislature and honors the sacrifice of Idaho civilians who served on Wake Island during World War II.
WAKE ISLAND CIVILIANS
Last Action
Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs
3/10/2026