In June 1942 the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands. In 1943, the 17th Infantry Regiment was called to action as part of the 7th Infantry Division and the Regiment was chosen to land at Red Beach, Holtz Bay, on Attu Island in the Bering Sea. The Regiment fought as part of the 7th Infantry Division "Bayonet" throughout World War II. PFC Leonard Brostrom and PFC John Thorson both earned the Medal of Honor for their gallantry during heavy fighting on Leyte, the Philippine Islands on October 28, 1944, as soldiers from the 17th Infantry Regiment. During World War II the 17th fought in the Aleutian Islands, Eastern Mandates, Leyte, and Ryukyus.