Lat 9° 24' 0N Long 167° 28' 60E  Island on the northern end of Kwajalein Atoll. Roi-Namur is about one square mile in total area. This island is comprised of two islands: Roi to the west and Namur to the east.

Japanese Occupation
During the Japanese occupation, the two islands were connected by a narrow neck of land and causeway. After the American occupation, US Navy SeaBees filled in the area between the islands by December 1944, the two islands now joined were now called Roi-Namur.

American Missions Against Roi
December 21, 1943 - February 1, 1944

American Occupation
Attacked during 'Operation Flintlock' by American forces on February 2, 1944 the island was secured in only eight hours. Lt. Col Aquilla James Dyess earned the Medal of Honor postumously, leading his troops in an advance. US Navy Seabees filled in the narrow area between the two islands, and afterwards, the two joined islands were known as Roi-Namur.

Roi-Namur Airfield (Roi Airfield)
Built by the Japanese, captured by American forces in February 1944. Still in use today.

Japanese Installations
Many of the Japanese installations have been left standing and are preserved for residents and visitors. Several large cement blockhouses used for munitions and fuel storage. Air headquarters building is testament to the furious battle. Its cement roof shows evidence of bomb and projectile damage from guns of many sizes. Many pillboxes are around the island and several bomb shelters.

Overgrown Japanese Hospital
Near the modern ALCOR Radar station is the remains of a Japanese hospital, with a corrugated tin roof. It is completely overgrown. Inside are remains of examination tables, gas canisters and sheets of X-ray film.

Shallows near the Reef
All the war related wreckage was bulldozed onto the reef. Often rusted remains are washed ashore. It is not difficult to find coins, dog tags, bottles, knives and ammunition washed onto shore. Of the many Japanese planes destroyed on the ground during US airstrikes, little remains, except for some debris that have been heaped into the shallows. The only recognizable portion is the wing section of a Val in about 3 feet of water off the end of the runway.  Off near the runway are the corroded remains of a landing craft in the shallows of the reef.

Japanese Twin 127mm Dual Purpose Gun
Gun and its parapet is near the North Pass. Photo by Joe Pirrelli, 2006.

West Reef

Carrier Aircraft Dumping Area
A large group of aircraft is between North Pass and Mellu Island. In depths varying from 30' to over 130', there are nearly a dozen F4F fighters, Douglas SBD "Dauntless" dive bombers and possibly other types of aircraft. These planes were partially stripped and dumped by US forces using a barge or landing craft. These planes have no external damage and the reason they were dumped is unknown. The wrecks have produced an artificial reef where coral and fishes now abound.