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Pioneer Road
by
Donna Blasor-Bernhardt

There were many heroes in World War II, some accomplishing greater feats than the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, or the digging of the Panama Canal.  Pioneer Road is a first-hand account of the men and women who responded to duty's call, for the defense of a nation.  Experience the charming innocence and inspiring courage of a former generation's amazing deeds, to whom we owe so much thanks and appreciation.

“The book is wonderful... a masterpiece. It's a honey.”
Stanton H. Patty
Assistant Travel Editor (Retired) The Seattle Times
Author of Fearless Men & Fabulous Women

“The highway, as it stands, is a real tribute to all the men from every part of the continent, who proved to themselves and the world that they had all the spirit and fight of their forefathers.”
John Clark Friese
Waiter, Clerk, Truck Driver, First-Aid Medic, Camp Superintendent
Pedersen Brothers Construction Co

It is December, 1941. Japanese forces have just bombed Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues his “day of infamy” speech. The United States is drawn, fully, into World War II.  In spite of a few military bases in the north, Alaska, Canada, and the entire west coast of the U.S., lie vulnerable to attack and invasion by the Japanese. It is debatable whether or not the Navy can keep the northern sea lanes open and enemy-free. A better way is needed to defend the north. What can be done?

Build a road!

It is 1942—A master plan between Canada and the United States is initiated. Canada agrees to waive import duties, immigration regulations, and even sales taxes. They agree to furnish the right-of-way through their country and allow native trees and materials to be taken as needed for the construction of a road. In return, the U.S. will build and pay for its construction. Part of the deal, also, is that the U.S., six months after the war ends, will turn the part of the road on Canadian soil over to Canada. It is an agreement to benefit both countries. The race is on.

On February 14, 1942, the order to start work on the Alcan Highway Project became reality. The road itself would stretch over 1,400 miles, beginning in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada, and ending in Delta Junction, Alaska. In Delta Junction, it would connect with the already existing, Richardson Highway, which provided access to both Fairbanks and Anchorage. Time was the key—the best way in the shortest amount of time. Build a road; defend the north. The building of the Alcan (Alaska/Canada) Highway was an enormous undertaking and a huge war effort.

In the beginning, U.S. Army Engineer troops were mobilized and sent north to blaze a pioneer road through untamed wilderness, across raging rivers, mountains, mud, mosquitoes and muskeg. With the Japanese occupation of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, Attu and Kiska, the pressure became intense. Now the enemy had breached North America!

See how it all happened, directly from the men and women who responded to duty’s call!