Kodiak
                                        28 November 1945


by the SeaBees.

     The above information is given in order that the 

reader may better understand certain parts of the story 

which follows covering the Alaska Communication System's 

part in developing the Navy, Army and Air Bases at Kodiak 

and specifically the Harbor Defenses which were constructed 

under Contract NOY 3570.

     ACS installations on the island prior to the beginning 

of construction by the Navy consisted of a small radio sta-

tion in Kodiak Village. This village had a population of 

approximately 300, mostly Indians, and the main industry 

was fishing.  A number of these villagers were later hired 

as laborers on ACS projects.  The coming of the contractor 

and later the Army brought about a considerable expansion 

of the radio station, which handled all commercial as well 

as Army radio traffic to and from the island. The work of 

increasing the size of the station was done by an ACS con-

struction crew which was sent there for that purpose and 

was withdrawn when the work was completed.

     In the spring of 1942 Colonel Andrews visited Ft. 

Greely and was informed by the Post signal officer that 

progress on signal installations being made by the contract-

or was unsatisfactory to the Commanding General.  As a 

result an assistant ACS engineering officer, Second Lieuten-

ant John H. Irwin, was sent from Seattle to investigate, 

arriving at Ft. Greely 19 May 1942.

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