by Channel 2 News staff
Thursday, June 3, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Thursday marked the 68th anniversary of the bombing of Dutch Harbor during World War II. Gov. Sean Parnell proclaimed the day Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day.
On June 3, 1942, the Japanese bombed Dutch Harbor, then occupied Attu and Kiska islands in the Aleutians. Many in Dutch Harbor that day thought the attack was only a drill.
"I just had my robe on," said Mary Turnpaugh, who was evacuated from Dutch Harbor. "I ran out to the middle of a front beach -- we lived on the front beach there -- went out there, and I looked up and I saw a million planes. Oh, was I ever scared."
Parnell ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-staff Thursday in honor of those affected by the bombing and the service members who lost their lives.
