The Selfless Defenders of Wake Island

In this lesson, students will learn about the defenders of Wake Island and their struggle against the Japanese in 1941. They will explore the actions of these defenders and see how their sacrifices helped inspire the nation at the beginning of the war. Through this example, they will learn how they can act selflessly in their own lives.

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• Where is Wake Island? Who occupied it in 1941?
• What happened on Wake Island in December of 1941?
• How did the selfless actions of the Wake Island defenders help inspire the United States?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will analyze the performance of the defenders during the Battle of Wake Island.
• Students will understand how acting selflessly can benefit those around them.
• Students will understand how they can act more selflessly in their own lives.