A new internet petition calling on the Solomon Islands Government not to change the name of Henderson Field airport has attracted the support of hundreds of people.
The airport was named after Major Loften Henderson who was killed during the Battle of Midway during World War Two.
Government officials revealed two weeks ago that the name could be changed after a suggestion by a Japanese consultancy.
The Prime Minister's Office has since indicated any decision to change the name will be put to the public first.
The suggestion has angered American veterans' groups with one launching a petition this week that has already garnered 395 signatures.
The veterans say in their petition that the airfield is synonymous with sacrifice and that it was one of key airfields anywhere in the world during the war.