1942
01/01 Thu. Adm. R. E. Ingersoll succeeds Adm. E. J. King as Commander in
Chief Atlantic Fleet.
01/02 Fri. Manila and Cavite, P. I., fall to the Japanese.
01/06 Tue. Japanese amphibious force occupies Brunei Bay, Borneo.
01/07 Wed. Navy's authorized aircraft strength is increased from 15,000
to 27,500.
01/11 Sun. Naval Station, Pago Pago, Samoa, is shelled by Japanese
submarine.
Japanese begin invasion of Netherlands East Indies by
landings at Tarakan and Jesselton, Borneo; Menado and Kema,
Celebes.
Japan declares war on the Netherlands.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Carrier SARATOGA (CV-3), by submarine torpedo, 500 miles
southwest of Oahu, T. H.
01/12 Mon. Authorized enlisted strength of the Navy is increased to
500,000.
01/15 Thu. American-British-Dutch-Australian Supreme Command is
established. Field Marshall Sir Archibald Wavell, British
Army, assumes supreme command of all forces in area; Adm. T.
C. Hart, USN, has command of naval forces under Field
Marshall Wavell.
01/16 Fri. War Production Board (WPB) is established to supplant Office
of Production Management (OPM).
01/18 Sun. Germany, Italy, and Japan sign new military pact in Berlin.
01/20 Tue. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-31, damaged by grounding and sunk by United States
forces, Philippine Islands area,
14 d. 45' N., 120 d. 13' E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-124, by destroyer EDSALL (DD-219) and three Australian
corvettes, off Port Darwin, Australia.
01/21 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine S-36, damaged by grounding 20 January 1942 and
sunk by United States forces, Makassar Strait, Netherlands
East Indies.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Light cruiser BOISE (CL-47), by grounding, Sape Strait,
Netherlands East Indies.
01/22 Thu. Japanese reinforcements land in Subic Bay area, P. I.
01/23 Fri. Japanese land at Balikpapan, Borneo.
Japanese occupy Rabaul, New Britain, and land at Kieta,
Bougainville, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Oiler NECHES (AO-5), by Japanese submarine torpedo, off
Hawaiian Islands,
21 d. 01' N., 160 d. 06' W.
01/24 Sat. Battle of Balikpapan (Battle of Makassar Strait): Japanese
Borneo invasion convoy undergoes night torpedo attack off
Balikpapan, Borneo, by destroyer division (Cdr. P. H. Talbot)
composed of PARROTT (DD-218), POPE (DD-225), JOHN. D. FORD
(DD-228), and PAUL JONES (DD-230); four enemy transports and
a patrol craft are sunk.
Japanese land at Kendari, Celebes; Kavieng, New Ireland;
Subic Bay, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine S-26, by collision with submarine chaser PC-460,
Gulf of Panama.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer JOHN D. FORD (DD-228) by naval gunfire,
Netherlands East Indies area,
12 d. 00' S., 117 d. 01' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Patrol boat No. 37, by surface craft, Makassar Strait,
Netherlands East Indies,
00 d. 10' N., 118 d. 00' e.
01/25 Sun. Japanese submarine shells Midway Island.
01/26 Mon. First United States Expeditionary Force to Europe in World
War II arrives in Northern Ireland.
01/27 Tue. Submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197) delivers ammunition to Corregidor,
P. I., and evacuates Naval and Army pilots.
Naval Air Station, Puunene, Maui, T. H., is established.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-173, by submarine GUDGEON (SS-211), Central Pacific area,
28 d. 24' N., 178 d. 35' E.
01/28 Wed. Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the American
Republics, in session in Rio de Janeiro since 15 January, is
concluded.
Japanese land on Rossel Island off New Guinea.
01/29 Thu. Japanese land at Badoeng Island and Mampawan, Celebes.
United States Coast Guard vessel sunk:
Cutter ALEXANDER HAMILTON (PG-34), sunk by German submarine
torpedo, off Iceland.
01/31 Sat. Office of Procurement and Material (OP&M) is established in
the Office of the Under Secretary of the Navy; Vice Adm. S.
M. Robinson becomes director.
Japanese land at Amboina Island, Netherlands East Indies.
02/01 Sun. Two carrier task forces (Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey and Rear Adm.
F. J. Fletcher) and a bombardment group (Rear Adm. R. A.
Spruance), totaling 2 aircraft carriers, 5 cruisers, and 10
destroyers, attack Kwajalein, Wotje, Maloelap, Jaluit, and
Mili in the Marshall Islands and Makin, Gilbert Islands.
Japanese landing attempt on southwest Bataan, P. I., is
repulsed by motor torpedo boats and Army aircraft.
United States Naval Base, Sydney, Australia, is established.
United States Naval Air Stations, St. Lucia, British West
Indies, and British Guiana, and United States Naval Auxiliary
Air Facility, Antigua, British West Indies, are established.
Seventh Naval District, with headquarters at Key West, Fla.,
is reactivated.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Carrier ENTERPRISE (CV-6), by suicide bomber, Marshall-
Gilberts raid,
10 d. 33' N., 171 d. 53' E.
Heavy cruiser CHESTER (CA-27), by dive bomber, Marshall-
Gilberts raid,
08 d. 45' N., 171 d. 33' E.
02/02 Mon. Japanese naval vessel sunk :
Minesweeper No. 9, by mine, Netherlands East Indies area,
03 d. 42' S., 128 d. 10' E.
02/03 Tue. Submarine TROUT (SS-202) delivers ammunition to Corregidor,
P. I., and removes gold, silver, securities, and mail.
Japanese bomb Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies.
02/04 Wed. Japanese aircraft bomb allied force (Rear Adm. K. W. F. M.
Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy) of 4 cruisers and
accompanying destroyers attempting transit of Madoera Strait
to attack Japanese Borneo invasion fleet; 2 United States
cruisers and 1 Netherlands cruiser are damaged.
Submarine SEADRAGON (SS-194) evacuates certain military
personnel and material from Corregidor, P. I.
Asiatic Fleet (Adm. T. C. Hart) cease to exist
organizationally (not formally abolished). Units of Asiatic
Fleet are organized into Southwest Pacific Force (Vice Adm.
W. A. Glassford).
Australian-New Zealand naval command is established (Vice
Adm. H. F. Leary, USN).
United States naval vessels damaged:
Heavy Cruiser HOUSTON (CA-30) and light cruiser MARBLEHEAD
(CL-12), by horizontal bombers, Madoera Strait, Borneo,
07 d. 23' S., 115 d. 47' E.
02/05 Thu. United States Naval Operating Base, Londonderry, Northern
Ireland, is established.
National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., is established.
02/06 Fri. Naval Coastal Frontiers redesignated Sea Frontiers: Eastern
Gulf, Caribbean, Panama, Hawaiian, Northwest, Western,
Philippine.
United States and Britain establish Combined Chiefs of Staff
(CCS).
Japanese land reinforcements at Lingayen Gulf, P. I.
02/07 Sat. Naval Forces Southwest Pacific Area (Vice Adm. W. A.
Glassford, USN) establish headquarters at Tjilatjap, Java.
War Shipping Administration is established.
02/08 Sun. Japanese submarine shells Midway Island.
Japanese troops land at Gasmata, New Britain.
Japanese naval vessel sunk :
Destroyer NATSUSHIO, by submarine S-37, Makassar Strait,
Netherlands East Indies area,
05 d. 10' S., 119 d. 24' E.
02/09 Mon. Transport LAFAYETTE (AP-53), former French liner NORMANDIE,
burns at New York pier.
Rear Adm. E. S. Land is appointed Director of War Shipping
Administration.
Adm. W. H. Standley, USN (Ret.), is named ambassador to
Russia.
Japanese aircraft bomb Batavia, Surabaya, and Malang, Java.
Japanese land at Singapore Island.
02/11 Wed. United States troops arrive at Curacao and Aruba, Netherlands
West Indies.
02/14 Sat. Submarine SAGO (SS-188) delivers ammunition to Polloc Harbor,
Mindanao, P. I., and evacuates certain military personnel.
Adm. T. C. Hart, USN, is relieved as Commander in Chief
Allied Naval Forces in Southwest Pacific by Vice Adm. C. E.
L. Helfrich, Royal Netherlands Navy.
Japanese paratroopers drop on Palembang, Sumatra.
02/15 Sun. Singapore surrenders to the Japanese.
Japanese forces land on Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.
02/16 Tue. German submarine shells oil refinery on Aruba, Netherlands
West Indies.
02/17 Tue. Seabees (1st Naval Construction Battalion) arrive at Bora
Bora, Society Islands.
02/18 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer TRUXTUN (DD-229) and stores ship POLLUX( AKS-2),
by storm Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
02/19 Thu. Bali, Netherlands East Indies, is invaded by the Japanese.
Battle of Badoeng Strait starts at night and continues the
next day. Allied naval force (Rear Adm. K. W. F. M. Doorman,
Royal Netherlands Navy) of three cruisers and accompanying
destroyers attack retiring Japanese Bali occupation force in
Badoeng Strait. One Netherlands destroyer is sunk, 2
Netherlands cruisers and 1 United States destroyer are
damaged. One Japanese destroyer is damaged.
Japanese bombers raid harbor, airfields, and shore
installations at Darwin, Australia.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer PEARY (DD-226), by dive bomber, Darwin,
Australia,
12 d. 30' S., 130 d. 50' E.
02/20 Fri. Submarine SWORDFISH (SS-193) evacuates President Quezon and
other Philippine officials from Luzon, P. I.
Atlantic and Pacific Fleets are directed by Commander in
Chief United States Fleet to establish Amphibious Forces.
Darwin, Australia, is abandoned as an Allied naval base.
Japanese invade Timor Island in the Netherlands East Indies.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer STEWART (DD-224), by naval gunfire, Battle of
Badoeng Strait, Netherlands East Indies,
07 d. 18' S., 112 d. 46' E.
02/23 Mon. Japanese submarine shells oil refinery at Ellwood, Calif.
02/24 Tue. Carrier task force (Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey) bombards Wake
Island.
Submarine SWORDFISH (SS-193) evacuates United States High
Commissioner F. B. Sayre from Philippine Islands.
02/25 Wed. Coast Guard assumes responsibility for United States port
security.
02/27 Fri. Battle of Java Sea is fought as Allied naval force (Read Adm.
K. W. F. M. Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy) of 5 cruisers
and 11 destroyers in Java Sea near Surabaya attacks enemy
force covering Java invasion convoy. Two Netherlands
cruisers, 2 British destroyers, 1 Netherlands destroyer are
sunk; 1 United States cruiser and 1 British cruiser are
damaged.
Joint United States-Mexican Defense Commission is
established.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Seaplane tender LANGLEY (AV-3), by horizontal bombers, 75
miles south of Tjilatjap, Java,
08 d. 58' S., 109 d. 02' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Heavy Cruiser HOUSTON (CA-30), by naval gunfire, battle of
Java Sea.
02/28 Sat. Submarine PERMIT (SS-178) delivers ammunition to Corregidor,
P. I., and evacuates certain military personnel.
Japanese land on north coast of Java, Netherlands East
Indies.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer JACOB JONES (DD-130), by submarine torpedo, off
Delaware Capes,
38 d. 42' N., 74 d. 39' W.
03/01 Sun. Battle of Sunda Strait which commenced shortly before
midnight 28 February 1942 continues. After the Battle of the
Java Sea (see 27 February 1942) Allied vessels heading for
Sunda Strait are attacked by superior Japanese surface
forces. One United States cruiser, 1 Australian cruiser, and
1 Netherlands destroyer are sunk. Four Japanese transports
are lost.
Base Force, Pacific Fleet, is redesignated Service Force
Pacific; Train, Atlantic Fleet, is redesignated Service Force
Atlantic.
American-British-Dutch-Australian Command is dissolved.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Heavy Cruiser HOUSTON (CA-30), by torpedoes and gunfire,
Sunda Strait, Java Sea,
05 d. 50' S., 105 D. 55' E.
Destroyer POPE (DD-225), by dive bomber, and surface
gunfire, Java Sea,
04 d. 00' S., 111 d. 30' E.
Destroyer EDSALL(DD-219) and PILLSBURY (DD-227), by naval
gunfire, south of Christmas Island,
14 d. 30' S., 106 d. 30' E.
Oiler PECOS (AO-6), by dive bomber, south of Christmas
Island,
14 d. 27' S., 106 d. 11' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-656, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-82), south of
Newfoundland,
46 d. 15' N., 53 d. 15' W.
03/02 Mon. Antisubmarine Warfare Unit, Atlantic Fleet, is established at
Boston, Mass.
Japanese troops land at Zamboanga, Mindanao, P. I.
03/03 Tue. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine PERCH (SS-176), damaged by depth charges and
surface gunfire, scuttled by crew in Java Sea.
Gunboat ASHEVILLE (PG-12), by naval gunfire, south of Java,
Netherlands East Indies area,
12 d. 33' S., 111 d. 35' E.
03/04 Wed. Aircraft from carrier task force (Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey)
bomb Marcus Island.
Japanese seaplanes raid Oahu, T. H.; no damage.
03/07 Sat. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine SHARK (SS-174), Pacific Ocean area, reported as
presumed lost.
03/08 Sun. Japanese forces invade Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.
Japanese occupy Rangoon, Burma.
03/09 Mon. Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-1) is commissioned
at Norfolk, Va., for operations in Atlantic area.
Java surrenders to the Japanese.
03/10 Tue. Aircraft from carriers LEXINGTON (CV-2) and YORKTOWN (CV-5)
bomb Japanese shipping at Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea.
Japanese invade Finschhafen, New Guinea.
03/11 Wed. Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur and Rear Adm. F. W. Rockwell leave
Luzon, P. I., by motor torpedo boat for Mindanao, P. I.
03/12 Thu. United States forces arrive in New Caledonia to establish a
base at Noumea.
President, by executive order, combines duties of Commander
in Chief United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations.
(See 26 March 1942).
03/13 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-32, by scuttling, Philippine Islands area,
10 d. 58' N., 121 d. 12' E.
03/14 Sat. Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet (Rear Adm. R. M. Brainard)
is established.
03/15 Sun. United States Coast Guard vessel sunk:
Tender ACACIA (AGL-200), by German submarine, south of
Haiti.
German submarine sunk:
U-503, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-82),
North Atlantic area,
46 d. 50' N., 48 d. 50' W.
03/17 Tue. United States Naval Forces Europe is established. (See 30
April, 1942.)
United States, in agreement with Allied governments, assumes
responsibility for the strategic defense of entire Pacific
Ocean.
03/18 Wed. Naval force (Rear Adm. J. W. Wilcox, USN) including 2
battleships, 1 carrier, 2 cruisers, and 8 destroyers is
ordered to Great Britain to join British Home Fleet.
03/20 Fri. Battleship South Dakota (BB-57) is commissioned at New York,
N. Y.
03/23 Mon. Japanese occupy Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal.
03/26 Thu. Adm. E. J. King relieves Adm. H. R. Stark as Chief of Naval
Operations. Admiral King is Commander in Chief United States
Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations. His principal
assistants are Vice Adm. F. J. Horne, Vice Chief of Naval
Operations, and Vice Adm. R. Willson, Chief of Staff.
Commander Eastern Sea Frontier is given operational control
of certain Army Air Force units for antisubmarine patrol duty
in the Atlantic.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Miscellaneous auxiliary ATIK, by submarine torpedo,
36 d. 00' N., 70 d. 00' W.
03/29 Sun. Marines arrive at Efate, New Hebrides.
03/30 Mon. Joint Chiefs of Staff order Pacific Ocean divided into two
commands: Pacific Ocean Areas ( Adm. C. W. Nimitz), and
Southwest Pacific Area (Gen. Douglas MacArthur).
Pacific War Council representing United States, Great
Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, and
China is established in Washington, D. C., to plan war
policy.
Christmas Island is occupied by Japanese forces.
03/31 Tue. Commander of All Forces Aruba and Curacao, Netherlands West
Indies, is established (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf, USN).
04/01 Wed. Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-2) is commissioned
at Alameda, Calif., for operations in the Pacific area.
Japanese occupy Buka Island, Solomon Islands.
04/03 Fri. Adm. C. W. Nimitz, USN, is named Commander in Chief Pacific
Ocean Areas (CINCPOA); Admiral Nimitz is also Commander in
Chief Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC).
04/05 Sun. Submarine SNAPPER (SS-185) delivers food to Corrigedor, P.
I., and evacuates certain military personnel.
Lorengau, Manus Island, in the Admiralty Islands, is occupied
by the Japanese.
04/07 Tue. United States naval patrol aircraft arrive at Natal, Brazil,
for operations in the South Atlantic.
04/08 Wed. Submarine SEADRAGON (SS-194) delivers food to Corrigedor, P.
I., and evacuates certain military personnel.
Hydrographic Office and Naval Observatory are transferred
from the Bureau of Navigation to the Office of the Chief of
Naval Operations
United States naval vessels sunk:
Minesweeper BITTERN (AM-36), damaged 10 December 1941,
Cavite, P. I., sunk by United States forces.
Tug NAPA (AT-32), by scuttling, Philippine Islands area,
14 d. 25' N., 120 d. 30' E.
04/09 Thu. United States-Philippine forces on Bataan, P. I., surrender
to the Japanese.
United States naval vessel lost:
PT-34, by horizontal bomber, Philippine Islands area;
beached and abandoned,
10 d. 16' N., 123 d. 52' E.
04/10 Fri. Pacific Fleet is reorganized into type commands: Battleships
(Rear Adm. W. S. Anderson); Aircraft Carriers (Vice Adm. W.
F. Halsey); Cruisers (Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher); Destroyers
(Rear Adm. R. A. Theobald); Service Force (Vice Adm. W. L.
Calhoun); Amphibious Force (Vice Adm. W. Brown); Submarine
Force (Rear Adm. T. Whiters); and Patrol Wings (Rear Adm. H.
S. McCain).
Japanese land on Cebu, P. I.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine tender CANOPUS (AS-9), by scuttling, off
Mariveles Bay, P. I.
Minesweeper FINCH (AM-9), by horizontal bomber, Philippine
Islands area,
14 d. 22' N., 120 d. 35' E.
04/12 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-35, by scuttling, Philippine Islands area,
10 d. 18' N., 123 d. 54' E.
04/14 Tue. German submarine sunk:
U-85, by destroyer ROPER (DD-147), off Virginia,
35 d. 55' N.
04/15 Wed. Submarine bases at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, are
established.
Naval Air Station, Barbers Point, Oahu, T. H., is
established.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-41, by scuttling, Philippine Islands area,
07 d. 53' N., 124 d. 15' E.
04/18 Sat. Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey in carrier HORNET (CV-8) launches 16
Army B-25's (Lt. Col. J. H. Doolittle) at point over 650
miles east of Honshu, Japan; bombers hit Tokyo, Yokosuka,
Yokohoma, Kobe, and Nagoya, Japan.
German submarine shells oil installations at Curacao,
Netherlands West Indies.
04/40 Mon. United States carrier WASP (CV-7), in Mediterranean Sea,
launches 47 British Spitfire aircraft for Malta.
04/26 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer STURTEVANT (DD-240), by mine, of Marquesas Key,
Fla.
04/28 Tue. United States Escort Force (Rear Adm. R. C. Giffen) departs
Scapa Flow, Scotland, to protect convoys to Russia.
04/29 Wed. First coastal convoy leaves New York for the Delaware River.
Japanese land on and seize Parang and Cotabato, Mindanao, P.
I.
04/30 Thu. Two naval patrol planes evacuate military and civilian
personnel from Corregidor, P. I.
Adm. H. R. Stark assumes command of United States Naval
Forces Europe. (See 17 March 1942).
Battleship INDIANA (BB-58) is commissioned at Newport News,
Va.
05/01 Fri. United States Naval Base and United States Naval Auxiliary
Air Facility, Great Exuma, Bahama Islands, and United States
Naval Base, Grand Cayman, British West Indies, are
established.
Adm. W. D. Leahy, USN (Ret.), ends service as Ambassador to
France.
05/02 Sat. Japanese land on Florida Island, Solomon Islands.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Seaplane tender MIZUHO, by submarine DRUM (SS-228),
off southeastern Honshu, Japan,
34 d. 26' N., 138 d. 14' E.
05/03 Sun. Submarine SPEARFISH (SS-190) evacuates certain military
personnel from Corregidor, P. I.
05/04 Mon. Battle of the Coral Sea (4-8 May) commences with an air
strike on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, by United States carrier-
based aircraft. Allied naval forces (Rear Adm. F. j.
Fletcher, USN) comprise Attack Group (Rear Adm. T. C.
Kinkaid, USN) of
United State cruisers CHESTER (CA-27), NEW ORLEANS (CA-32),
PORTLAND (CA-33), ASTORIA (CA-34), MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36) and
destroyers FARRAGUT (DD-348), DEWEY (DD-340), MONAGHAN (DD-
354), AYLWIN (DD-355) and PHELPS (DD-360); Support Group
(Rear Adm. J. G. Crace, RN) with United States cruiser
CHICAGO (CA-29), Australian cruisers AUSTRALIA and HOBART,
and United States destroyers PERKINS (DD-377) and WALKE (DD-
416); Carrier Group (Rear Adm. A. W. Fitch, USN) consisting
of United States carriers LEXINGTON (CV-2) and YORKTOWN (CV-
5) with destroyers ANDERSON (DD-411), HAMMANN (DD-412),
RUSSELL (DD-414), and MORRIS (DD-417); Fueling Group (Capt.
J. S. Phillips, USN) including United States oilers
TIPPECANOE (AO-21) and NEOSHO (A0-23) and destroyers WORDEN
(DD-352) and SIMS (DD-409).
Commander in Chief United States Fleet (Adm. E. J. King)
directs Coast Guard Auxiliary to organize civilian small
craft as coastal pickets.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper TANAGER (AM-5), by coastal defense guns,
Corregidor, P. I.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer KIKUZUKI, by carrier-based aircraft, Tulagi,
Solomon Islands.
05/05 Tue. Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher's Allied force, after fueling,
changes course to intercept Japanese Port Moresby Invasion
Group (Battle of Coral Sea, 4-8 May).
Japanese forces land on Corregidor, P. I.
United States naval vessels sunk:
River gunboat MINDANAO (PR-8) and submarine rescue vessel
PIGEON (ASR-9), by horizontal bombers, Philippine Islands
area,
14 d. 23' N., 120 d. 36' E.
Tugs GENESEE (ATO-55) and VAGA (YT-116), by scuttling,
Philippine Islands area,
14 d. 25'N., 120 d. 30' E.
05/06 Wed. Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher's Allied force is steaming on course
to intercept Japanese Port Moresby Invasion Group (Battle of
Coral Sea, 4-8 May).
Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Nawiliwili, Kauai, T. H., is
established.
Corregidor and Manila Bay forts, P. I., surrender to the
Japanese.
United States naval vessels sunk:
River gunboat OAHU (PR-6) and LUZON (PR-7), and minesweeper
QUAIL (AM-15), by scuttling, Philippine Islands area,
14 d. 23' N., 120 d. 35' E.
05/07 Thu. Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher's Allied force turns north to engage
Japanese Attack Group. Support Group (Rear Adm. Crace, RN)
is detached to intercept enemy Port Moresby Invasion Group.
Admiral Crace's ships are attacked by enemy torpedo bombers
and land-based bombers and, mistaken for Japanese Port
Moresby Invasion Force, are bombed by Army B-26 aircraft.
Carrier aircraft attack Japanese Support Group and sink
aircraft carrier SHOHO (Battle of the Coral Sea, 4-8 May).
Hollandia, New Guinea, is occupied by Japanese forces.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer SIMS (DD-409), by dive bomber, Battle of the
Coral Sea,
15 d. 10' S., 158 d. 05' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Oiler NEOSHO (AO-23), by dive bomber, Battle of the Coral
Sea,
15 d. 10' S., 158 d. 05' E.,
and sunk by Unites States forces 11 May 1942.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Carrier SHOHO, by carrier-based aircraft, Battle of the
Coral Sea,
10 d. 29' S., 152 d. 55' E.
05/08 Fri. Carrier LEXINGTON (CV-2) search aircraft sight Japanese
carriers SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU. Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher's
carrier aircraft damage SHOKAKU and force her retirement. At
the same time, Japanese aircraft hit carriers YORKTOWN (CV-5)
and LEXINGTON (CV-2), damaging the latter to such an extent
that destroyer PHELPS (DD-360) is ordered to sink her.
(Battle of the Coral Sea 4-8 May.) [This is the first battle
in modern naval history in which opposing warships did not
exchange a shot; all damage was inflicted by carrier
aircraft. Coral Sea was a strategic United States victory
The heretofore uninterrupted Japanese push southeastward was
halted.]
United States naval vessel sunk:
Carrier LEXINGTON (CV-2), severely damaged by carrier-based
torpedo bombers and, in sinking condition, sunk by United
States forces, Battle of the Coral Sea,
15 d. 12 S., 155 d. 27' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier YORKTOWN (CV-5), by carrier-based dive bombers,
Battle of the Coral Sea,
14 d. 35' S., 155 d. 15' E.
05/09 Sat. Unites States carrier WASP (CV-7), in the Mediterranean,
launches 47 British Spitfire aircraft for Malta.
German submarine sunk:
U-352, by Coast Guard cutter ICARUS (PC-119), off South
Carolina,
34 d. 12' N., 76 d. 35' W.
05/11 Mon. Japanese vessel sunk:
Minelayer OKINOSHIMA, by submarine S-42, north of Solomon
Islands,
05 d. 06 S., 153 d. 48 E.
05/12 Tue. Battleship MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59) is commissioned at Boston,
Mass.
05/13 Wed. Bureau of Navigation is renamed Bureau of Naval Personnel.
French agree to immobilize three French warships at
Martinique, French West Indies.
05/14 Thu. German submarine lays minefield off St. John's, Newfoundland.
05/17 Sun. Japanese submarines sunk:
I-28, by submarine TAUTOG (SS-199), Caroline Islands area,
06 d. 30' N., 152 d. 00' E.
I-164, by submarine TRITON (SS-201),
southeast of Kyushu, Japan,
29 d. 25' N., 134 d. 09' E.
05/18 Mon. Office of Naval Inspector General (Rear Adm. C. P. Snyder) is
established.
05/20 Wed. Air Force, South Pacific Area (Rear Adm. J. S. McCain) is
established.
05/21 Thu. North Pacific Force (Rear Adm. R. A Theobald) is established
for operations in Alaskan sector.
05/22 Fri. Mexico declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan.
05/25 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer BLAKELEY (DD-150), by submarine torpedo, off
Martinique, French West Indies.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Repair ship ASAHI, by submarine SALMON (SS-182),
South China Sea,
10 d. 00' N., 110 d. 00' E.
05/27 Wed. Marines and Seabees occupy Wallis Island, South Pacific
Ocean.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer tender PRAIRIE (AD-15) and gunboat SPRY (PG-64),
by fire, Argentia, Newfoundland.
05/28 Thu. United States forces arrive at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides
Islands.
05/31 Sun. Japanese midget submarines raid harbor of Sydney, Australia.
06/02 Tue. Two carrier task forces (Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher and Rear
Adm. R. A. Spruance) rendezvous about 350 miles northeast of
Midway Island. [Composition of United States naval forces at
the Battle of Midway was as follows: Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher
(Task Force 17) - carrier YORKTOWN (CV-5), heavy cruiser
PORTLAND (CA-33) and ASTORIA (CA-34), and destroyers HUGHES
(DD-410), ANDERSON (DD-411), HAMMANN (DD-412), RUSSELL (DD-
414), MORRIS (DD-417), and GWIN (DD-433); Rear Adm. R. A.
Spruance (Task Force 16) - carriers ENTERPRISE (CV-6) and
HORNET (CV-8), heavy cruiser PENSACOLA (CA-24), NORTHAMPTON
(CA-26), NEW ORLEANS (CA-32), MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), and
VINCENNES (CA-44), light cruiser ATLANTA (CL-51), destroyers
DEWEY (DD-349), WORDEN (DD-352), MONAGHAN (DD-354), AYLWIN
(DD-355), PHELPS (DD-360) BALCH (DD-363), CONYNGHAM (DD-371),
BENHAM (DD-397), ELLET (DD-398), MAURY (DD-401), and MONSSEN
(DD-436), oilers CIMARRON (AO-22), and PLATTE (AO-24); and
submarines on patrol and scouting duty NARWHAL (SS-167),
NAUTILUS (SS-168), DOLPHIN (SS-169), CACHALOT (SS-170),
CUTTLEFISH (SS-171), PIKE (SS-173), TARPON (SS-175), PLUNGER
(SS-179), TAMBOR (SS-198), TROUT (SS-202), GRAYLING (SS-209),
GRENADIER (SS-210), GUDGEON (SS-211), GATO (SS-212), GROUPER
(SS-214), GROWLER (SS-215), FLYING FISH (SS-229), FINBACK
(SS-230), and TRIGGER (SS-237).]
06/03 Wed. Midway-based aircraft locate and attack transports of
Japanese Combined Fleet (Admiral Yamamoto) about 600 miles
west of Midway Island.
Japanese carrier-based aircraft bomb Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Coastal Minesweeper BUNTING (AMc-7), by collision, San
Francisco Bay.
06/04 Thu. Battle of Midway (4-6 June) opens as aircraft from four
Japanese carriers strike Midway Island installations, which
are defended by Marine and Army aircraft. Carrier task
forces (Rear Adm. F. J. Fletcher and Rear Adm. R. A.
Spruance) launch aircraft from carriers ENTERPRISE (CV-6) ,
HORNET (CV-6), and YORKTOWN (CV-5) which hit four Japanese
carriers. YORKTOWN is disabled by Japanese carrier aircraft.
Admiral Yamamoto abandons Midway plans and retires westward.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier YORKTOWN (CV-5), by carrier-based aircraft,
Battle of Midway,
33 d. 51' N., 177 d. 01' W.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Carrier KAGA, by carrier-based aircraft,
Battle of Midway,
30 d. 23' N., 177 d. 01' W.
Carrier SORYU, by carrier-based aircraft and submarine
NAUTILUS (SS-168), Battle of Midway,
30 d. 42' N., 179 d. 37' W.
06/05 Fri. Carrier task force (Rear Adm. R. A. Spruance) pursues
Japanese fleet westward (Battle of Midway, 4-6 June).
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Carrier AKAGI, damaged by carrier-based aircraft, Battle of
Midway, sunk by own forces,
30 d. 30' N., 179 d. 40' W.
Carrier HIRYU, damaged by carrier-based aircraft, Battle of
Midway, sunk by own forces,
31 d. 28 N., 179 d. 24' E.
06/06 Sat. Aircraft from carriers ENTERPRISE (CV-6) and HORNET (CV-8)
attack Japanese force retiring from Midway. After recovering
aircraft, United States force changes course eastward to
refuel and breaks contact with the enemy (Battle of Midway,
4-6 June). [Battle of Midway was one of the most decisive
battles in naval history. It was the turning point of the
Pacific War. In addition to the crippling loss of four
aircraft carriers, the Japanese suffered the loss of a large
percentage of their most highly trained and battle-
experienced carrier pilots. (See 2 to 6 June 1942).]
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer HAMMANN (DD-412), by submarine torpedo,
Battle of Midway,
30 d. 36' N., 176 d. 34' w.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Heavy cruiser MIKUMA, by naval carrier-based aircraft and
Marine land-based aircraft, Battle of Midway,
30 d. 00' N., 173 d. 00' E.
06/07 Sun. Command of naval forces is reallocated: Atlantic and Pacific
Fleets, Sea Frontiers, and Special Task Forces are place
directly under Commander in Chief United States Fleet and
Chief of Naval Operations; Naval Local Defense Forces, Naval
Transportation Service, Special Duty Ships, and Naval
District Craft are made responsible to Vice Chief of Naval
Operations.
Japanese occupy Kiska and Attu, Aleutian Islands, Alaska.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Carrier YORKTOWN (CV-5), by Japanese submarine torpedo, as
she retires, damaged, after Battle of Midway,
30 d. 36' N., 176 d. 34' W.
Seaplane tender (small) GANNET (AVP-8), by submarine
torpedo, off Bermuda.
06/09 Tue. Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska, is established.
06/11 Thu. German submarines lay mines off Boston and Delaware Bay.
06/12 Fri. German submarines lay mines off Cape Henry, Va.
06/13 Sat. Four German agents are put ashore from submarine at
Amagansett, Long Island, N. Y.; landings is detected by Coast
Guard beach patrolman and agents are captured by Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
German submarine sunk:
U-157, by Coast Guard cutter, THETIS (PC-115),
north of Cuba,
24 d. 13' N., 82 d. 03' W.
06/14 Sun. First echelon of 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. A. A.
Vandegrift) arrives at Wellington, New Zealand.
06/17 Wed. Four German agents land from submarine on Ponte Vedra Beach,
south of Jacksonville, Fla.; landing is discovered by
fishermen and agents are captured by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
06/18 Thu. United States Naval Air Facility, La Fe, Cuba, is
established.
06/19 Fri. Vice Adm. R. L. Ghormley assumes command of South Pacific
Area and South Pacific Force with headquarters at Auckland,
New Zealand.
United States naval vessel lost:
Submarine S-27, by grounding, Amchitka, Aleutian Islands;
abandoned.
06/20 Sat. Japanese submarine shells Estevan Point, Vancouver Island,
British Columbia.
06/21 Sun. Japanese submarine shells Fort Stevens, Oreg.
06/25 Thu. United States Army establishes European Theater of Operations
under Maj. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
President and British Prime Minister conclude conference in
Washington; decision is reached for combined United States-
British research and development of the atomic bomb.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer YAMAKAZE, by submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168),
off Honshu, Japan.
06/26 Fri. United States Naval Auxiliary Air Station (Lighter-than-Air),
San Julian, Cuba, is established.
Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare off United
States Atlantic Coast.
06/30 Tue. Naval vessels on hand (all types)....5,612
Personnel: Navy....................640,570
Marine Corps............143,528
Coast Guard..............58,998
Total personnel.........843,096
United States naval vessel sunk:
Coast minesweeper HORNBILL (AMc-13), by collision, San
Francisco Bay, Calif.
German submarine sunk:
U-158, by Naval land-based aircraft (VP-74),
western Atlantic area,
32 d. 50' N., 67 d. 28' W.
07/04 Sat. United States Army bombers raid Western Europe for first
time.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer NENOHI, by submarine TRITON (SS-201),
off Agattu, Aleutian Islands.
07/05 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer ARARE, by submarine GROWLER (SS-215), off Kiska,
Aleutian Islands.
07/07 Tue. United States Naval Air Facility, Reykjavik, Iceland, is
established.
German submarine sunk:
U-701, by Army aircraft, off North Carolina,
34 d. 50' N., 74 d. 55' W.
07/13 Mon. United States Naval Air Facility, Grand Cayman, British West
Indies, is established.
German submarine sunk:
U-153, damaged by submarine chaser PC-458 and Army
aircraft, off coast of Panama, and sunk by destroyer
LANDSDOWNE (DD-486),
09 d. 56' N., 81 d. 29' W.
07/15 Wed. Submarine Base, Midway Island, is established.
Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-3) is established at
Kansas City, Kans., for operations in the United States.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine chasers Nos. 25 and 27, by submarine GRUNION (SS-
216), off Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
German submarine sunk:
U-576, by naval land-based aircraft (VS-9) and United
States merchant vessel UNICOI, off North Carolina,
34 d. 51' N., 75 d. 22' W.
07/16 Thu. Advanced Group, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet (Rear Adm.
A. C. Bennett) is established to conduct amphibious training
in Great Britain.
07/18 Sat. Amphibious Force, South Pacific Area is established (Rear
Adm. R. K. Turner).
07/20 Mon. Naval Operating Base and Naval Air Facility, Dutch Harbor,
Alaska, are established.
Adm. W. D. Leahy reports as Chief of Staff to the President.
07/21 Tue. Japanese land and occupy Buna, New Guinea.
07/24 Fri. German submarine lays mines off the Mississippi River Passes.
07/27 Mon. Army-Navy Petroleum Board is established.
07/30 Thu. Women's Naval Reserve (WAVES) is established.
07/31 Fri. German submarine lays mines off Charleston, S. C.
08/01 Sat. United States Naval Base, Galapagos Islands; United States
Naval Station, Taboga Island, Canal Zone; United States Naval
Auxiliary Air Facility and United States Motor Torpedo Boat
Base, Salinas, Ecuador, are established.
German submarine sunk:
U-166, by Coast Guard aircraft, Gulf of Mexico,
28 d. 31' N. 90 d. 45' W.
08/04 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer TUCKER (DD-374), in United State minefield,
Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
08/07 Fri. Marines land on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in the first American land
offensive of the war. Under cover of naval surface and air
forces (Vice Adm. F. J. Fletcher), the 1st Marine Division
(Maj. Gen. A. A. Vandegrift) is put ashore by Amphibious
Force, South Pacific (Rear Adm. R. K. Turner). The landings
are supported by carrier and shore-based aircraft (Rear Adm.
L. Noyes and Rear Adm. J. S. McCain). The overall commander
is Vice Adm. R. L. Ghormley, Commander South Pacific, and the
officer in tactical command is Vice Adm. F. J. Fletcher.
Naval cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. W. W. Smith)
bombards Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer MUGFORD (DD-389), by dive bomber,
Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 00' S., 160 d. 00' E.
08/08 Sat. Marines win control of Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo, Solomon
Islands. An unfinished enemy air strip on Guadalcanal is
captured and renamed Henderson Field.
German submarine lays mines off mouth of St. Johns River,
east of Jacksonville, Fla.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Transport GEORGE F. ELLIOTT (AP-13), damaged by suicide
bombers, Solomon Islands area, and sunk by United States
forces,
09 d. 10' S., 160, 10' E.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer JARVIS (DD-393), by aircraft torpedo,
Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 10' S., 160 d. 01 E.
08/09 Sun. Battle of Savo Island commences in the darkness as a Japanese
force of 7 cruisers and 1 destroyer approaches west of Savo
Island, Solomon Islands, undetected. The enemy sinks 4
Allied cruisers and damages 1 other cruiser and 2 destroyers
by torpedo and gunfire before retiring.
Allied ships depart Guadalcanal area. Japanese vessels
temporarily control waters around Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Heavy cruisers ASTORIA (CA-34), QUINCY (CA-39), and
VINCENNES (CA-44), by naval gunfire, Battle of Savo
Island.
[Fourth cruiser sunk was the Australian ship CANBERRA.]
Destroyer JARVIS (DD-393), by aircraft attack,
Solomon Islands,
09 d. 42' S., 158 d. 59' E.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Heavy cruiser CHICAGO (CA-29), by destroyer torpedo;
destroyers RALPH TALBOT (DD-390) and PATTERSON (DD-392),
by naval gunfire, Battle of Savo Island.
08/10 Mon. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Heavy cruiser KAKO, by submarine S-44,
near Kavieng, New Ireland.
08/14 Fri. Lt. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, Commanding General,
European Theater of Operations, is appointed Commander in
Chief of Allied Expeditionary Forces; Adm. Sir Andrew
Cunningham, RN, is appointed Allied Naval Commander.
United States naval vessel lost:
Submarine S-39, damaged by striking submerged reef, off
Rossel Island, Louisade Archipelago, and abandoned 16
August 1942.
08/15 Sat. Patrol Wing 11, is commissioned at San Juan, P. R., for
operations in Caribbean Sea Frontier.
Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Wash., is established.
United State Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Jamaica, British
West Indies, is established.
Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific, is established at San Diego,
Calif.
08/16 Sun. Battleship ALABAMA (BB-60) is commissioned at Portsmouth, Va.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine GRUNION (SS-216), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
08/17 Mon. Second Raider Battalion ("Carlson's Raiders"), Marine Corps,
transported by submarines NAUTILUS (SS-168) and ARGONAUT
(APS-1) raids Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands; Nautilus
gunfire supports Marines ashore.
08/20 Thu. Aircraft escort vessel LONG ISLAND (AVG-1) delivers 31 Marine
Corps aircraft to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands.
German submarine sunk:
U-464, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-73),
North Atlantic Area,
61 d. 25 ' N., 14 d. 40' W.
08/22 Sat. Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer BLUE (DD-387), damaged by torpedo from surface
craft, Solomon Islands area, and scuttled by United States
forces 23 August 1942,
09 d. 17' E., 160 d. 02' E.
Destroyer INGRAHAM (DD-444), by collision with oiler
CHEMUNG (A0-30), off Nova Scotia,
42 d. 34' N., 60 d. 05' W.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer BUCK (DD-420), by collision with merchant vessel,
off Nova Scotia,
42 d. 34' N., 60 d. 05' W.
Oiler CHEMUNG (A0-30), by collision with destroyer INGRAHAM
(DD-444) off Nova Scotia,
42 d. 34' N., 60 d. 05' W.
German submarine sunk:
U-654, by Army aircraft, north of Panama,
12 d. 00' N., 79 d. 56' W.
08/24 Mon. Battle of the Eastern Solomons begins and continues into the
next day. Naval carrier-based aircraft (Vice Adm. F. J.
Fletcher) supported by Marine and Army aircraft turn back
major Japanese attempt to recapture Guadalcanal and Tulagi,
Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier ENTERPRISE (CV-6), by dive bomber,
Battle of the Eastern Solomons,
08 d. 38 S., 163 d. 30 ' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Carrier RYUJO, by carrier-based aircraft,
Battle of the Eastern Solomons,
06 d. 10' S., 160 d. 50' E.
08/25 Tue. Japanese occupy Nauru, Gilbert Islands, and Goodenough
Island, off southeast coast of New Guinea.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer MUZUKI, by Army aircraft,
Battle of Eastern Solomons,
off Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands.
08/26 Wed. Japanese land at Milne Bay, New Guinea; Army aircraft attack
beached and transports.
Japanese occupy Ocean Island.
08/28 Fri. Marine Corps dive bombers sink 1 Japanese destroyer, damage
two others and prevent enemy reinforcements from landing on
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-123, by light minelayer GAMBLE (DM-15),
Solomon Islands area, near Guadalcanal.
Destroyer ASAGIRI, by Marine land-based aircraft,
off Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands.
German submarine sunk:
U-94, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-92) and HMCS
OAKVILLE; Caribbean area,
17 d. 40' N., 74 d. 30' W.
08/29 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged:
Transport WILLIAM WARD BURROWS (AP-6), by grounding,
Solomons Islands area,
09 d. 07' S., 160 d. 10' E.
08/30 Sun. United States Naval and Army forces occupy Adak, Aleutian
Islands, for air and naval base.
United States naval vessel sunk:
High speed transport CALHOUN (APD-2), by horizontal bomber,
Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 24' S., 160 d. 01' E.
08/31 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier SARATOGA (CV-3), by submarine torpedo, 260 miles
southeast of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands,
10 d. 34' S., 164 d. 18' E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-61, by destroyer REID (DD-369) and naval land-based
aircraft (vp-43), Aleutian Islands area,
52 d. 36' N., 173 d. 57 ' W.
09/01 Tue. Naval Construction Battalion personnel (Seabees), the first
to serve in an action area, arrive at Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands.
Air Force, Pacific Fleet (Vice Adm. A. W. Fitch) is
established.
Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo also becomes Foreign
Minister as Shigenori Togo resigns.
09/05 Sat. United States naval vessels sunk:
High speed transports GREGORY (APD-3) and LITTLE (APD-4),
by surface ship gunfire, Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 20' S., 160 d. 01' E.
09/06 Sun. United States naval vessel damaged:
Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), by hitting coral reef,
Lahai Passage, Tonga Islands.
09/07 Mon. United States and Cuba conclude agreement for naval and
military cooperation.
09/10 Thu. German submarine lays mines at mouth of Chesapeake Bay.
09/11 Fri. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer YAYOI, by United States Army and British aircraft
off Normanby Island, D'Entrecasteaux Islands off New
Guinea.
09/12 Sat. Brazil places its navy under the operational control of the
United State Navy.
German aircraft and submarines launch sustained 10-day attack
against large Allied convoy to northern Russia.
09/15 Tue. Carrier task force (Rear Adm. L. Noyes) covering transport of
reinforcements from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, to
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is attacked by 2 Japanese
submarines which sink 1 aircraft carrier and damage a
battleship and a destroyer.
Japanese battleships bombard Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Carrier WASP (CV-7), severely damaged by submarine torpedo,
near Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides,
12 d. 25' S., 164 d. 08' E.;
sunk by United States forces.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) and destroyer O'BRIEN
(DD-415), by submarine torpedoes, near Espiritu Santo, New
Hebrides.
09/16 Wed. Vice Adm. J. H. Ingram's command, formerly Task Force 23, is
designated South Atlantic Force, Atlantic Fleet.
Patrol Wing 12 is commissioned at Key West, Fla., for
operations in Gulf Sea Frontier.
Japanese forces evacuate Attu, Aleutian Islands. (See 30
Oct. 1942.)
09/18 Fri. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is reinforced by 7th Marine
Regiment.
German submarine lays mines off Charleston, S. C.
09/20 Sun. United States Naval Operating Base, Auckland, New Zealand, is
established.
09/24 Thu. Japanese land on Maiana, Gilbert Islands.
09/25 Fri. Japanese land on Beru, Gilbert Islands.
09/27 Sun. Japanese land on Kuria, Gilbert Islands.
German raider sunk:
Schiff No. 23 (STIER), after being damaged by United States
merchant vessel STEPHEN HOPKINS, before she sinks, South
Atlantic area.
09/28 Mon. Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-65, by Army aircraft, Kiska, Aleutian Islands.
09/29 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
Cargo ship ALBENA (AK-26), by submarine torpedo,
Solomon Islands area,
10 d. 47' S., 161 d. 16' E.
09/30 Wed. United States naval vessels damaged:
Heavy cruiser SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38) and destroyer BREESE
(DD-122), by collision, New Hebrides area,
15 d. 39' S., 167 d. 39' E.]
10/01 Thu. Advanced Group, Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet, becomes
Amphibious Forces, Europe, under the Commander United States
Naval Forces Europe (Adm. H. R. Stark).
10/02 Fri. Marines occupy Funafuti, Ellice Islands.
German submarine sunk:
U-512, by Army aircraft, off French Guiana,
06 d. 50' N., 52 d. 25' W.
10/05 Mon. Carrier-based aircraft (Rear Adm. G. D. Murrary) bomb Buin-
Tonolei area and Faisi, Bougainville, Solomon Islands.
10/11 Sun. Battle of Cape Esperance commences at night and continues on
12 October. Surface forces (Rear Adm. N. Scott) attack enemy
cruisers and destroyers headed for Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands, on the "Tokyo Express." Two United States cruisers
and two destroyers are damaged. One Japanese destroyer is
sunk; two cruisers and one destroyer are damaged.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Heavy cruiser SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), light cruiser BOISE
(CL-47), and destroyers DUNCAN (DD-485), and FARENHOLT
(DD-491), by naval gunfire, Battle of Cape Esperance.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer FUBUKI, by surface craft, off Savo Island.
10/12 Mon. United State vessel sunk:
Destroyer DUNCAN (DD-485), by naval gunfire, off Savo
Island.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Cruiser FURUTAKA, by surface craft, off Savo Island.
Destroyer NATSUGUMO, by Naval and Marine aircraft, off Savo
Island.
Destroyer MURAKUMO, by Naval and Marine aircraft, off Savo
Island.
10/13 Tue. 1st Marine Division is reinforced by 164th Infantry Regiment
of Americal Division, United States Army; this is the first
major unit to reach Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
10/14 Wed. Motor torpedo boats engage Japanese destroyers screening
battleships and cruisers bombarding Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
10/15 Thu. United States Submarine Base, Fremantle-Perth, Australia, is
established.
Patrol Wing 14 is commissioned at San Diego, Calif., for
operations in Western Sea Frontier.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer MEREDITH (DD-434), by aircraft torpedo, off San
Cristobal, Solomon Islands.
10/16 Fri. Carrier task force (Rear Adm. G. D. Murray) strikes Japanese
troops on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, and enemy seaplanes
at Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands.
Submarine THRESHER (SS-200) lays mines in northern Gulf of
Siam.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Seaplane tender MCFARLAND (AVD-14), by dive bombers,
Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 24' S., 160 d. 02' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer OBORO, by Army aircraft, Aleutian Islands area.
10/18 Sun. Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey relieves Vice Adm. R. L. Ghormley as
Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force.
10/19 Mon. Submarine GAR (SS-206) lays mines in northern Gulf of Siam.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer O'BRIEN (DD-415), en route to United States for
battle repairs, by breaking in two, off Samoa,
13 d. 30' S., 171 d. 18' E.
10/20 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
Heavy cruiser CHESTER (CA-27), by submarine torpedo,
between San Cristobal, Solomon Islands and Espiritu Santo,
New Hebrides,
13 d. 31 S., 163 d. 17' E.
10/21 Wed. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer GRAYSON (DD-435), by collision,
Solomon Islands area,
12 d. 08' S., 161 d. 04' E.
10/22 Thu. Naval Air Facility, Otter Point, Alaska, is established.
10/25 Sun. Submarine WHALE (SS-239) lays mines of Honshu, Japan, at
entrance to Inland Sea.
Submarine AMBERJACK (SS-219), lands Army personnel and
supplies at Tulagi, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Tug SEMINOLE (AT-65), by naval gunfire, off Guadalcanal,
Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer HUGHES (DD-410), accidentally by United States
naval gunfire, Solomon Islands area,
08 d. 38' S., 166 d. 41' E.
High speed minesweeper ZANE (DMS-14), by naval gunfire,
Sealark Channel off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Light cruiser YURA, damaged by Naval, Marine, and Army
aircraft, off Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands, and sunk by
own forces.
10/26 Mon. Battle of Santa Cruz Islands is joined as carrier task forces
(Rear Adm. T. C. Kinkaid and Rear Adm. G. D. Murray) close a
numerically superior Japanese force; heavy damage is
inflicted on United States forces but immediate Japanese
movement toward Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is checked.
Battle of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, ends
as Marines repulse Japanese land and air attacks.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle of Santa Cruz
Islands:
Carrier ENTERPRISE (CV-6), by dive bomber.
Carrier HORNET (CV-8), by air attack.
Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), by dive bomber.
Light cruiser SAN JUAN (CL-54), by dive bomber.
Destroyer PORTER (DD-356), by submarine torpedo, and sunk
by United States forces.
Destroyer SMITH (DD-378), by suicide bomber.
Destroyer HUGHES (dd-410), by collision.
10/27 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
Carrier HORNET (CV-8), by dive bombers, torpedo bombers,
and destroyer torpedoes,
08 d. 38' S., 166 d. 43' E.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57) and destroyer MAHAN (DD-
364), by collision in Solomon Islands area.
10/29 Thu. Submarine GRENADIER (SS-210) lays mines in Tonkin Gulf, off
French Indochina.
10/30 Fri. Cruiser and destroyer force bombards Japanese positions at
Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Japanese land second invasion force at Attu, Aleutian
Islands. (See 16 September 1942.)
11/01 Sun. Patrol Wings are redesignated Fleet Air Wings.
11/02 Mon. Submarine TAMBOR (SS-198) lays mines in Tonkin Gulf and
submarine TAUTOG (SS-199) lays mines south of Cape Padaran,
French Indochina
Fleet Air Wing 6 is commissioned at Seattle, Wash., for
multi-engine aircraft training.
11/04 Wed. Cruisers and destroyers bombard Japanese positions near Koli
Point, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
11/05 Thu. German submarine sunk:
U-408, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84), off Iceland,
67 d. 40' N., 18 d. 32' W.
11/06 Fri. United States naval vessel damaged:
Transport ZEILIN (AP-9), by dive bomber,
Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 24' S., 160 d. 02' E.
11/07 Sat. Aircraft from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, damage two
Japanese destroyers off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Transport THOMAS STONE (AP-59), by submarine torpedo,
western Mediterranean area,
37 d. 32' N., 00 d. 01' E.
Italian submarine sunk:
ANTONIO SCIESA, by Army aircraft, off coast of Libya,
32 d. 05' N., 23 d. 59' E.
11/08 Sun. North Africa is invaded. Allied Expeditionary Force under
the supreme command of Lt. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA,
lands at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers. Allied Naval Force
(Adm. Sir Andrew Cunningham, RN) is composed of three
principal parts: Western Naval Task Force (Rear Adm. H. K.
Hewitt, USN) lands troops (Maj. Gen. G. S. Patton, USA) near
Casablanca; Center Naval Task Force (Commodore T. Troubridge,
RN) lands troops (Maj. Gen. L. R. Fredenhall, USA) at Oran;
Eastern Naval Task Force (Rear Adm. Sir H. M. Burrough, RN)
puts troops (Maj. Gen. C. W. Ryder, USA) ashore at Algiers.
Motor torpedo boats damage Japanese destroyer by torpedo
attack, off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59), heavy cruiser WICHITA
(CA-45), light cruiser BROOKLYN (CL-40), destroyers LUDLOW
(DD-438) and MURPHY 9dd-603), and high speed minesweeper
PALMER (DMS-5), by gunfire from coastal defense guns,
North African landings.
High speed minesweeper STANSBURY (DMS-8), by mine, off
North Africa.
Transport LEEDSTOWN (AP-73), by aircraft torpedo, off North
Africa.
11/09 Mon. United States naval vessel sunk:
Transport LEEDSTOWN (AP-73), by submarine and aircraft
torpedo and horizontal bomber, near Algiers.
11/10 Tue. United States naval vessels and carrier aircraft engage
French naval forces at Casablanca, Morocco.
Oran, Algeria, surrenders to United States forces.
United States Naval Station, Puerto Castillo, Honduras, is
established
German submarine lays mines off New York, east of Ambrose
Light.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-72, by high speed minesweeper, SOUTHARD (DMS-10),
Solomon Islands area,
10 d. 13' S., 161 d. 09' E.
11/11 Wed. Casablanca surrenders to United States forces.
Allied-French armistice is signed.
United States Naval Operating Base, Oran, is established.
German troops occupy France, south to the Mediterranean Sea.
Italian troops land on Corsica and move into France.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Transport JOSEPH HEWES (AP-50), by submarine torpedo,
Fedala Roads, North Africa.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer HAMBLETON (DD-455), and oiler WINOOSKI (AO-38),
by submarine torpedoes, Fedala Roads, North Africa.
11/12 Thu. Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (q2-15 November) opens as
transports (Rear Adm. R. K. Turner) unloading troops in Lunga
Roads, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, under the protection of
air and surface forces, are attacked by Japanese aircraft.
United States Naval Operating Base, Casablanca, Morocco, is
established.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Transports TASKER H. BLISS (AP-42), HUGH L. SCOTT (AP-43),
and EDWARD RUTLEDGE (AP-52), by submarine torpedoes, off
Morocco, North Africa.
Gunboat ERIE (PG-50), by submarine torpedo, Caribbean area,
12 d. 03' N., 68 d. 58' W.
United States naval vessels damaged, Naval Battle of
Guadalcanal:
Heavy cruiser SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), by Japanese aircraft.
Destroyer Buchanan (DD-484),
accidentally by United States naval gunfire.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-22, by PT-122, southwest of New Guinea,
08 d. 32' S., 148 d. 17' E.
11/13 Fri. Landing Support Group (Rear Adm. D. J. Callaghan) encounters
Japanese Raiding Group, including two battleships, steaming
to bombard Henderson Field, Guadalcanal; a devastating naval
action ensues in the darkness off Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands. Heavy damage is inflicted on United States force
before Japanese Raiding Group retires northward. Carrier
force (Rear Adm. T. C. Kinkaid) arrives close to battle area
and launches air search and attacks against the enemy (Naval
Battle of Guadalcanal, 12-15 November).
United States naval vessels sunk, Battle of Guadalcanal:
Light cruiser ATLANTA (CL-51), by naval gunfire.
Light cruiser JUNEAU (CL-52), by submarine torpedo, as she
leaves the Solomon Islands area to proceed to Espiritu
Santo, New Hebrides, after Battle of Guadalcanal.
Destroyer CUSHING (DD-376), by naval gunfire.
Destroyer MONSSEN (DD-436), by naval gunfire.
Destroyer LAFFEY (DD-459), by gunfire and torpedo from
surface craft
United States naval vessels damaged Battle of Guadalcanal:.
Heavy cruiser PORTLAND (CA-33) ,by torpedo from surface
craft.
Light cruiser HELENA (CL-50), by naval gunfire.
Destroyer STERETT (DD-407), by naval gunfire.
Destroyer O'BANNON (DD-450), accidentally by United State
naval gunfire.
Destroyer AARON WARD (DD-483), by naval gunfire.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle of Guadalcanal:
Battleship HIEI, by naval gunfire, carrier-based aircraft,
and Marine land-based aircraft.
Destroyer AKATSUKI, by naval gunfire.
Destroyer YUDACHI, by naval gunfire.
11/14 Sat. Japanese cruisers and destroyers engaged in night bombardment
of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, area
attacked by motor torpedo boats. In the morning this enemy
force, while retiring, is struck by Marine and Naval aircraft
from Henderson Field, and aircraft from carrier ENTERPRISE
(CV-6). The same aircraft sink seven Japanese transports
during the afternoon.
Beginning shortly before midnight and continuing on 15
November, battleship force (Rear Adm. W. W. Lee) composed of
2 battleships and 3 destroyers engages and turns back large
Japanese Naval Group (Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12-15
November).
United States naval vessels sunk, Battle of Guadalcanal:
Destroyer PRESTON (DD-379), by naval gunfire.
Destroyer WALKE (DD-416), by gunfire and torpedo from
surface vessel.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle of Guadalcanal:
Heavy cruiser KINUGASA, by Naval and Marine aircraft.
11/15 Sun. Naval Battle of Guadalcanal ends. [Although the United States
suffered greater loss in warships, the Japanese withdrew and
never again sent large naval forces into the waters around
Guadalcanal; the ultimate outcome of the struggle for the
island was decided.]
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer BENHAM (DD-397), damaged by torpedo from surface
vessel and sunk by United States forces, off Guadalcanal,
Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), by naval gunfire,
Battle of Guadalcanal.
Destroyer GWIN (DD-433), by naval gunfire,
Battle of Guadalcanal.
Cargo ship ELECTRA (AK-21), by submarine torpedo,
off North Africa,
33 d. 45' N., 07 d. 52 W.
Cargo ship ALMAACK (AK-27), by submarine torpedo,
off North Africa,
36 d. 19' N., 07 d. 52 W.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle of Guadalcanal:
Battleship KIRISHIMA, by naval gunfire.
Destroyer AYANAMI, by naval gunfire.
11/16 Mon. Army forces land south of Buna, New Guinea.
German submarine sunk:
U-173, by destroyers WOOLSEY (DD-437), SWANSON (DD-443),
and QUICK (DD-490), off Casablanca, Morocco.
11/17 Tue. Naval Air Station, De Land, Fla., is established.
11/24 Tue. Japanese forces land at Munda Point, New Georgia, Solomon
Islands.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Transport THOMAS STONE (A--59), by horizontal bomber,
North African area,
36 D. 48' N., 03 d. 10' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer HAYASHIO, by Army aircraft, of Lae, New Guinea.
11/25 Wed. United States naval vessel lost:
Transport THOMAS STONE (A--59), damaged by grounding, North
African area; beached and abandoned,
36 D. 49' N., 03 d. 07' E.
11/27 Fri. French Fleet at Toulon is scuttled.
11/28 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged:
Cargo ship ALCHIBA (AK-23), by submarine torpedo, Lunga
Point, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
11/30 Mon. Battle of Tassafaronga, occurs at night when cruiser and
destroyer force (Read Adm. C. H. Wright) engages Japanese
destroyers (Rear Adm. Tanaka) off Tassafaronga Point,
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; enemy torpedoes do heavy
damage.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Heavy cruiser PENSACOLA (CA-24), NORTHAMPTON (CA-26), NEW
ORLEANS (CA-32), and MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), by torpedoes
from Japanese destroyers, off Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal,
Solomon Islands.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer TAKANAMI, by surface craft, Tassafaronga,
Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
12/01 Tue. Fleet Air Wing 15 is commissioned at Norfolk, Va., for
service at Port Lyautey, French Morocco.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Heavy cruiser NORTHAMPTON (CA-26), as result of torpedo
damaged received at Battle of Tassafaronga (30 November
1942),
09 d. 12' S., 159 d. 50' E.
12/02 Wed. United States Naval Operating Base, and United States Naval
Air Facility, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are established.
12/03 Thu. Japanese destroyers, en route to Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands, are attacked from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal; one
destroyer is damaged.
12/05 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk:
Ocean tug GREBE (ATO-134), by grounding,
south of Fiji Island,
19 d. 49' s., 178 d. 13' W.
12/07 Mon. Japanese destroyers, carrying reinforcements to Guadalcanal,
Solomon Islands, are attacked by aircraft from Henderson
Field, Guadalcanal; two destroyers are damaged.
12/08 Tue. Motor torpedo boats attack and turn back Japanese destroyers
attempting to reinforce Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
12/09 Wed. Aircraft from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, begin what become
virtually daily attacks on Japanese installations at Munda
Point, New Georgia, Solomon Islands.
Maj. Gen. A. A. Vandegrift, USMC, is relieved by Maj. Gen. A.
M. Patch, USA, as commander of Marines and Army troops,
Guadalcanal area, Solomon Islands.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-3, by PY-59, off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, Solomon
Islands.
12/10 Thu. German submarine sunk:
U-611, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84),
North Atlantic area,
58 d. 09' N., 22 d. 44' W.
12/11 Fri. Japanese destroyers are attacked north of New Georgia,
Solomon Islands, by naval aircraft from Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal.
12/12 Sat. Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese destroyers off Cape
Esperance, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; one Japanese
destroyer is sunk.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-44, by naval gunfire, Guadalcanal area, Solomon Islands,
09 d. 10' S., 159 d. 45' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer TERUTSUKI, by motor torpedo boats, off Cape
Esperance, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
12/14 Mon. Fleet Air Command, Noumea, New Caledonia (Rear Adm. M. A.
Mitscher), is established.
Submarine SUNFISH (SS-281) lays mines in entrance to Iseno
Umi, Japan.
12/15 Tue. German submarine sunk:
U-626, by Coast Guard cutter INGHAM (PC-35),
North Atlantic area,
56 d. 46' N., 27 d. 12' W.
12/16 Wed. Japanese submarine sunk:
I-15, by naval land-based aircraft (VS-55),
Solomon Islands area,
09 d. 10' S., 159 d. 30' E.
12/17 Thu. Submarines DRUM (SS-228) and SUNFISH (SS-281) lay mines in
Japanese home waters.
United States Coast Guard vessel sunk:
Converted trawler NATSEK (PG-170), foundered, Belle Isle
Strait, Newfoundland, Canada.
12/18 Fri. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Light cruiser TENRYU, by submarine ALBACORE (SS-218),
Bismarck Sea,
05 d. 11' S., 145 d. 57' E.
12/20 Sun. Submarine TRIGGER (SS-237) lays mines in Japanese home
waters.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Gunboat TULSA (PG-22), by grounding,
eastern New Guinea area,
10 d. 15 S., 149 d. 27' E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-4, by submarine SEADRAGON (ss-194), New Britain area,
05 d. 02' S., 152 d. 33' E.
12/22 Tue. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Patrol boat No. 35, by submarine GREENLING (SS-213),
Solomon Islands area,
05 d. 05' S., 156 d. 04' E.
12/24 Thu. Japanese troop-laden barges are attacked heavily by aircraft
from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Transports FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE (AP-70) and THURSTON (AP-
77), by collision, North African area,
34 d. 41' N., 07 d. 25' W.
12/26 Sat. Japanese transports at Wickham Anchorage, New Georgia,
Solomon Islands, are attacked by naval aircraft; strike is
repeated on 29 December.
12/29 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
High speed minesweeper WASMUTH (DMS-15), by explosion of
two of her own depth charges, during gale in Aleutian
Islands area.
12/30 Wed. Submarine SEARAVEN (SS-196) land agents on south coast of
Ceram Island, Netherlands East Indies.
12/31 Thu. Carrier ESSEX (CV-9) is commissioned at Portsmouth, Va.
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