Wake Island is an atoll consisting of three islands with a lagoon, annexed by the United States as a result of victory over Spain in May 1898.

After the first Japanese attack of December 8, 1941, a relief convoy was dispatched from Hawaii 2300 miles away.  On December 23 the Japanese launched a massive attack against Wake’s limited defenses. Realizing the island was almost certainly lost, and reluctant to lose any more capital ships in a futile engagement, Admiral Pye, acting commander of the Pacific fleet recalled the convoy.