The Battle of Wake Island was a significant engagement in the early days of World War II, occurring shortly after the onset of the conflict in the Pacific. Wake Island, a strategic atoll in the Pacific Ocean, was occupied by a small garrison of U.S. Marines and civilian workers. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese sought to capture Wake Island to establish a fortified position against American forces in the Pacific. On December 11, 1941, a Japanese naval force launched an attack against the island, aiming to subdue the American defenses. Despite being significantly outnumbered, the garrison on Wake Island, equipped with limited resources and an unwavering resolve, mounted a fierce defense. During the battle, U.S. fighter aircraft effectively engaged and sunk several Japanese ships, inflicting substantial damage on the attacking fleet. The American forces' tenacity and strategic maneuvers showcased their capability to inflict losses on the Japanese Navy, which had thus far enjoyed a series of victories across the Pacific theater. The engagement was marked by air combat as well as naval actions, ultimately leading to the first significant defeats suffered by the Imperial Japanese Navy in this campaign. The battle at Wake Island was remarkable not only for its immediate military outcomes but also for its psychological impact on both American and Japanese forces. For the U.S., it was a demonstration of resolve and capability at a time when morale was critically needed due to earlier setbacks, including Pearl Harbor. The loss of surface vessels for the Japanese Navy signified the beginning of difficulties in sustaining their advance in the Pacific, impacting strategic planning in subsequent engagements.