Combat Chronology of the US Navy Forces
in operations against and from the Marshall Islands

 

1941


 

8 December 1941

Japanese aircraft in widely scattered operations bomb Guam, Wake, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippine Islands.
 

11 December 1941

Marines on Wake Island repulse Japanese landing attempt and sink two enemy destroyers. Japanese naval vessels sunk at Wake Island: Destroyer HAYATE, by Marine shore batteries. Destroyer KISARAGI, by Marine aircraft.
 

14 December 1941

Wake Island Relief Expedition (Read Adm. F. J. Fletcher) leaves Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T. H.
 

23 December 1941

Wake Island, which had been subjected to prolonged enemy bombing, surrenders to Japanese invasion force. United States Relief Expedition is recalled while still 425 miles from Wake.

 

1942


 

1 February 1942

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. 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.
 

24 February 1942

Carrier task force (Vice Adm. W. F. Halsey) bombards Wake Island.

 

1943


 

13 November 1943

Carrier and land-based aircraft begin daily bombings of Japanese positions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.
 

4 December 1943

Aircraft from task force which includes six carriers (Rear Adm. C. A. Pownall) bomb Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands. United States naval vessels damaged, Marshall Islands: Carrier LEXINGTON (CV-16), by aircraft torpedo, 13 d. 30' N., 171 d. 25' E. Light cruiser MOBILE (CL-63), by accidental explosion, 12 d. 47' N., 170 d. 57' E. Destroyer TAYLOR (DD-468), accidentally by United States naval gunfire, 10 d. 00' N., 170 d. 00' E.

 

1944


 

11 January 1944

Naval land-based aircraft (Rear Adm. J. H. Hoover) from Gilbert and Ellice Islands bomb Japanese shipping and installations at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
 

28 January 1944

USS Burden R. Hastings (DE-19) supports landing at Kwajalein
 

29 January 1944

Aircraft from fast carrier force (Read Adm. M. A. Mitscher) begin series of strikes to destroy Japanese air power and shipping in the Marshall Islands. Attacks continue daily until 6 February 1944.
 

29 January 1944

USS Walker (DD-517) supports landing at Kwajalein
 

30 January 1944

Naval land-based aircraft from Midway Island bomb Wake Island. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer ANDERSON (DD-411), by coastal defense gun, Wotje, Marshall Islands area, 09 d. 33' N., 170 d. 18' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine chasers Nos. 18, 19, 21, and 28, auxiliary submarine chaser No. 25, by carrier-based aircraft and surface vessel, Marshall Islands area. ANDERSON (DD-411) was one of the units designated to conduct a diversionary strike at Wotje on 30 January 1944. As one of the leading destroyers she opened the bombardment at 0542 and began to maneuver to avoid enemy return fire. At 0646, a shell hit in her combat information center (C(C), killing the commanding her executive officer immediately assumed command and kept her firing until she could maneuver to seaward to act as antisubmarine screen until completion of the Wotje bombardment at noon. The next day, Anderson approached the objective islands of Roi and Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, and screened to seaward as the heavy units began the bombardment. on 1 February, while transferring her wounded, she struck an uncharted pinnacle and had to be towed to Pearl Harbor. while transferring her wounded, she struck an uncharted pinnacle and had to be towed to Pearl Harbor.
 

31 January 1944

Marines and Army troops (Maj. Gen. H. M. Smith, USMC) land on Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in the Marshall Islands. The operation is under the overall command of Commander Central Pacific Force (Vice Adm. R. A. Spruance) and is composed of Southern Attack Force (Rear Adm. R. K. Turner), Northern Attack Force (Rear Adm. R. L. Conolly), and Reserve Force and Majuro Attack Group (Rear Adm. H. W. Hill). Landings are supported by carrier-based aircraft (Rear Adm. M. A. Mitscher) and land-based aircraft (Rear Adm. J. H. Hoover). Aircraft from fast carrier group (Read Adm. F. C. Sherman) bomb aircraft and airfield facilities at Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Attacks by this carrier group continue on the first three days of February and afterward by Rear Adm. S. P. Ginder's carrier group through 7 February. United States naval vessels damaged: Heavy cruiser LOUISVILLE (CA-28), by naval gunfire, Marshall Islands invasion, 09 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E. Destroyer COLAHAN (DD-658), by grounding, Marshall Islands invasion, 08 d. 52' N., 167 d. 38' E; ANDERSON (DD-411), runs on reef at Kwajalein, damages hull.
 

1 February 1944

Invasion of the Marshall Islands continues as Marines land on Roi and Namur Islands, and Army troops land on Kwajalein Island under cover of heavy naval gunfire from battleships, cruisers and destroyers. United States naval vessels damaged, Marshall Islands invasion: Destroyer ANDERSON (DD-411), by grounding, on coral reef at N end of Enubuj Is.,Kwajalein 09 d. 10' N., 167 d. 25' E. Destroyer HAGGARD (DD-555), by accidental explosion, 09 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Submarine RO-39, by destroyer WALKER (DD-517), off Wotje , Marshall Islands area, 09 d. 24' N., 170 d. 32' E.
 

2 February 1944

Roi and Namur Islands in the Marshall Islands are secured. United States naval vessels damaged: Battleships WASHINGTON (BB-56) and INDIANA (BB- 58), by collision, Marshall Islands operation, 07 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E.
 

3 February 1944

Cruiser and destroyer gunfire supports landing of Army troops on Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. United States naval vessels damaged: Minesweeper CHIEF (AM-135), by grounding, Marshall Islands area, 09 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E.
 

5 February 1944

Japanese submarine sunk: I-21, by destroyer CHARRETTE (DD-581) and destroyer escort FAIR (DE-35), Marshall Islands area, 06 d. 48' N., 168 d. 08' E.
 

7 February 1944

Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, is declared secured.
 

8 February 1944

USS Walker (DD-517) departs Kwajalein
 

10 February 1944

Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. S. P. Ginder) bomb enemy installations on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands; similar strikes are made on 11 and 12 February.
 

12 February 1944

Marines land on Arno Atoll, Marshall Islands; this begins a series of "mopping-up" operations in minor Atolls of the Marshall Islands. Japanese aircraft bomb and destroy supply concentrations on Roi Islands, Marshall Islands.
 

13 February 1944

USS Burden R. Hastings (DE-19) departs Kwajalein
 

15 February 1944

Naval aircraft from Abemama, Gilbert Islands, bomb Wake Island. Japanese submarines sunk: RO-40, by destroyer PHELPS (DD-360) and minesweeper SAGE (AM-111), Marshall Islands area, 09 d. 50' N., 166 d. 35' E.
 

16 February 1944

Aircraft from carrier group (Rear Adm. S. P. Ginder) bomb Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

 

17 February 1944

Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine I-11, by destroyer NICHOLAS, (DD-449), Marshall Islands area, 10 d. 34' N., 173 d. 31' E. Submarine chaser No. 24, by destroyer BURNS (DD- 588), 07 D. 24' N., 150 d. 30' E.
 

18 February 1944

Marines and Army forces land on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, in the Marshall Islands. Preliminary landings are made 17 February on several nearby islets. The operation is under the command of Rear Adm. H. W. Hill and is supported by naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft.
 

18 February 1944

USS Meade (DD-602) sails
 

19 February 1944

Marines and Army troops supported by naval bombardment land on Eniwetok Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. The operation is under the command of Rear Adm. H. W. Hill.
 

20 February 1944

Carrier task group (Rear Adm. J. W. Reeves) bombs Japanese installations on Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

22 February 1944

Marines land on Perry Island, Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, under cover of naval bombardment and carrier-aircraft bombing; this operation completes United States control of Eniwetok Atoll.
 

28 February 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) arrives Marshalls to serve for escort and patrol duty
 

3 March 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) arrived at Majuro off which she patrolled as well as screening strikes on Mili Atoll in the Marshalls
 

3 March 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) commences patrol duty at Majuro
 

3 March 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) commences patrol duty at Majuro
 

5 March 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) commences duty on Majuro as harbor entrance vessel, as for escort duty to Roi-Namur
 

5 March 1944

USS Manlove (DE-36) commences HUK patrol off Marshalls
 

8 March 1944

Japanese aircraft attack United States position on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

8 March 1944

USS Meade (DD-602) arrives Majuro
 

18 March 1944

Task group including 1 carrier, 2 battleships (Iowa [BB-61], and destroyers (USS Meade [DD-602] and USS Phelps [DD-360])(Rear Adm. W. A. Lee) bombs and bombards Japanese installations on Mili Island in the Marshall Islands. United States naval vessel damaged: Battleship IOWA (BB-61), by coastal defense gun, Mili Island, Marshall Islands. First shore bombardment against Mili Atoll in Marshall Islands. The USS IOWA received her first hit when she was struck by two Japanese 4.7 projectes
 

l0 March 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) departs Marshalls where she served for escort and patrol dutytes patrol duty at Majuro
 

20 March 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) completes patrol duty at Majuro
 

20 March 1944

USS HORNET (CV-8) arrived Majuro in Marshall Islands
 

20 March 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) departs Marshalls where she served for escort and patrol duty
 

24 March 1944

Japanese submarine sunk: I-32, by destroyer escort MANLOVE (DE-36), and submarine chaser PC-1135, Marshall Islands area, 08 d. 30' N., 170 d. 10' E.
 

March 1944

USS Burden R. Hastings (DE-19) Marshalls
 

1 April 1944

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) arrives Marshalls to serve for ASW duty off bypassed enemy garrisons
 

4 April 1944

United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer HALL (DD-583), by coastal defense gun, Marshall Islands area, 09 d. 30' N., 170 d. 00' E.
 

23 April 1944

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) rescued B-24 crew
 

23 April 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) arrives at Majuro
 

26 April 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) conducts ASW air patrols off Mili Atoll
 

27 April 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) conducts ASW air patrols off Mili Atoll
 

28 April 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) conducts ASW air patrols off Mili Atoll
 

4 May 1944

United States Naval Base and Naval Air Facility, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands, are established.
 

10 May 1944

United States Naval Base, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, is established.
 

10 May 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) commences patrols off Wotje, Jaluit, Mili
 

12 May 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) commences duty as member of the EastMarshallsPatGrp
 

12 May 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) From 12 May to 18 August 1944 Edwards destroyer division formed the Eastern Marshalls Patrol Group. They patrolled off the Japanese-held atolls of Mili, Jaluit, Maloelap, and Wotje to keep the enemy from receiving assistance or evacuating.
 

12 May 1944

USS Meade (DD-602) commences duty in the Majuro area - call fire, FS, blockade - against Wotje, Mili, Maloelap
 

13 May 1944

Naval land-based and Army aircraft stage heavy bombing attack on Japanese installations at Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

14 May 1944

Naval land-based and Army aircraft stage heavy bombing attack on Japanese installations at Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands
 

15 May 1944

United States Naval Air Bases, Ebeye and Roi-namur, Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, are established.
 

16 May 1944

USS Manlove (DE-36) commences convoy duty between Majuro and Kwajalein
 

16 May 1944

USS Manlove (DE-36) completes HUK patrol off Marshalls
 

17 May 1944

Destroyers bombard Japanese defenses on Eniben Island, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
 

17 May 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) shells (with Meade) Eniben Is, Maloelap Atoll
 

17 May 1944

USS Meade (DD-602) shell (with Frazier) Eniben Is, Maloelap Atoll
 

21 May 1944

Naval land-based and Army aircraft heavily attack enemy positions on Wotje Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
 

22 May 1944

Destroyers bombard installations in the Wotje Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

22 May 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) and USS Bancroft (DD-598) put several enemy batteries on Wotje out of action.
 

22 May 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) EastMarshallsPatGrp; shell Wotje shells Wotje Atoll (with Bancroft)
 

23 May 1944

Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) bomb buildings and other targets on Wake Island.
 

26 May 1944

Destroyer bombard enemy shore batteries and installations on Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

26 May 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) shells Mili Atoll
 

26 May 1944

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) shell Mili Atoll
 

27 May 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) off Wotje to rescue downed aviators drifting toward shore.
 

29 May 1944

USS HORNET (CV-8) In port Majuro for change of command.
 

31 May 1944

USS HORNET (CV-8) SB2C came aboard with "stuck" 100lb bomb. When it landed, the bomb came off and detonated killing 2 and wounding 13.
 

1 June 1944

USS Manlove (DE-36) completes convoy duty between Majuro and Kwajalein
 

6 June 1944

USS HORNET (CV-8) Departed Majuro.
 

9 June 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) off Taroa - rescued flying boat crew and downed pilot
 

9 June 1944

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) shell Mili Atoll
 

9 June 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) at Eniwetok
 

10 June 1944

USS Bangust (DE-739) sinking RO-42 70 nm NE off Kwajalein (10-05N, 168-22E)
 

12 June 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) completes duty on Majuro as harbor entrance vessel, as for escort duty to Roi-Namur
 

16 June 1944

USS Burden R. Hastings (DE-19) sinking RO-44 110 nm E of Eniwetok (11-13N, 164-15E)
 

17 June 1944

Japanese submarine sunk: RO-117, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-109) from Eniwetok, 11 d. 05' N., 150 d. 31' E.
 

21 June 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) at Eniwetok to ferry planes to Saipan
 

21 June 1944

USS Parks (DE-165) at Enewetok Atoll. Participated in the fueling operations of the 5th Fleet, supporting the invasion of Saipan.
 

23 June 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) off Mili Atoll - rescued 2 USMC aviators
 

27 June 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) EastMarshallsPatGrpshell Wotje
 

1 July 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) commences patrol duty off Eniwetok
 

1 July 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) commences patrol duty off Eniwetok
 

10 July 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) at Eniwetok
 

11 July 1944

USS Meade (DD-602) sails from Majuro
 

14 July 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) completes patrol duty off Eniwetok
 

14 July 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) completes patrol duty off Eniwetok
 

27 July 1944

USS Frazier (DD-607) completes patrols off Wotje, Jaluit, Mili
 

2 August 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) relieved Eversole in ASW patrol off Eniwetok
 

3 August 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) at Eniwetok
 

8 August 1944

Destroyers and land-based Marine aircraft from Majuro, Mar- shall Islands, bombard and bomb Japanese positions on Taro, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
 

8 August 1944

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) shell Taroa (with Bancroft)
 

9 August 1944

USS Charrette (DD-581) arrives Eniwetok
 

17 August 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) at Eniwetok
 

18 August 1944

USS Edwards (DD-619) completes duty as member of the EastMarshallsPatGrp
 

18 August 1944

USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) at Eniwetok
 

19 August 1944

USS Gansevoort (DD-608) departs Marshalls where she served for ASW duty off bypassed enemy garrisons
 

29 August 1944

USS Charrette (DD-581) departs Eniwetok
 

13 October 1944

USS Fair (DE-35) commences escort duty between Eniwetok and Ulithi
 

17 October 1944

USS Manlove (DE-36) commences escort duty between Eniwetok and Ulithi
 

24 November 1944

USS Levy (DE-162) Eniwetok to San Diego 66
 

1 December 1944

United States Naval Operating Base, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, is established.
 

25 December 1944

USS Meade (DD-602) commences escort run between Eniwetok and Guam

 

1945


 

16 January 1945

USS Meade (DD-602) completes escort runs between Eniwetok and Guam
 

19 January 1945

USS Fair (DE-35) commences escort duty from Eniwetok to Manus, Guam, Guadalcanal
 

19 January 1945

USS Fair (DE-35) completes escort duty between Eniwetok and Ulithi
 

9 March 1945

USS Manlove (DE-36) completes escort duty between Eniwetok and Ulithi
 

9 March 1945

USS Manlove (DE-36) sail from Eniwetok to Saipan
 

24 March 1945

USS Fair (DE-35) completes escort duty from Eniwetok to Manus, Guam, Guadalcanal
 

1 May 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) arrives Eniwetok
 

1 May 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) commences escort, air-sea rescue and HK duty betwenn Eniwetok and Ulithi
 

6 May 1945

Naval landing force evacuates about 500 Marshallese from Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

17 May 1945

Carrier aircraft (Rear Adm. C. A. F. Sprague) strike Japanese shore installations on Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
 

17 June 1945

USS Levy (DE-162) ASW patrol on shipping lanes between Marshalls and Marianas
 

18 June 1945

Battleship and destroyers bombard shore installations on Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands.
 

20 June 1945

Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E. Jennings) bomb enemy positions on Wake Island.
 

29 June 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) attacking SS betw Saipan and Eniwetok
 

10 July 1945

USS Meade (DD-602) completes duty in the Majuro area - call fire, FS, blockade - against Wotje, Mili, Maloelap
 

18 July 1945

Carrier-based aircraft bomb Wake Island.
 

1 August 1945

Carrier aircraft and battleship strike enemy on Wake Island. United States naval vessel damaged: Battleship PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38), by coastal defense gun, Wake Island raid, 19 d. 20'N., 166 d. 30'E.
 

1 August 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) completes escort, air-sea rescue and HK duty betwenn Eniwetok and Ulithi
 

6 August 1945

Carrier aircraft bomb Wake Island.
 

9 August 1945

Battleship, cruiser, and destroyers bombard Wake Island.
 

12 August 1945

USS Levy (DE-162) Mile Atoll - accept surrender
 

12 August 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) departs Eniwetok
 

21 August 1945

Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands, surrenders; this is the first enemy garrison to capitulate in the Pacific Ocean area. Surrender is accepted on board the destroyer escort LEVY (DE-162).
 

22 August 1945

USS Levy (DE-162) Jaluit Atoll - accept surrender
 

25 August 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) at Mili Atoll for the surrender of the Japanese garrison and the flag raising ceremony there 28 August 1945. Immediately after, the Commanding Officer assumed duties of Representative Atoll Commander, Majuro at Mili, which consisted of controlling the Japanese garrison of approximately 2400 men, supervising and aiding in the demilitarization of the atoll, disposal of all ammunition and explosives and sweeping of the mine fields.
 

28 August 1945

USS Parks (DE-165) Mili Atoll - surrender ceremony
 

3 September 1945

USS Levy (DE-162) Wake Is. - accept surrender




CONTACT:
Dirk H.R. Spennemann, Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, P.O.Box 789, Albury NSW 2640, Australia.
e-mail: dspennemann@csu.edu.au

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