Our own Aleutians played a role in the Battle of Midway.  The Japanese invaded Attu and Kiska as a diversion from the impending naval battle.  The men on Attu were abandoned.  In 1943 the IJN rescued several thousand men from Kiska under the noses of the American fleet.  When the Americans landed, in spite of the absence of any enemy, they suffered over 300 casualties, including 25 deaths, resulting largely from friendly fire (some also occurred because of mines and booby traps).