Huh? Over 13 months?
The "13 months" refers to how long the Japanese had control of the Island of Attu after landing there. The actual battle to reclaim Attu lasted about twenty days.
The casualties, per soldier involved, were some of the highest in all of WW2. That you did not know that proves it was one of The FORGOTTEN Battle of WW2.
"It was strategically very important who controlled those islands," says Goldstein. The Americans stationed there "kept the Japanese from the West Coast and from invading the U.S. mainland.... From a strategic point of view, you can't underestimate the situation there. Look at a map! The Aleutians aren't very far from Seattle."
Hate to disagree with the historian, but who on earth would conclude you can take the US mainland from Attu???!?!?!?!?