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Raymond Spruance
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1942
June
04
Key event
The sinking of Nagumo's carriers
On 4 June 1942 at Midway American dive-bombers set Akagi, Kaga and Sōryū ablaze, and Hiryū that evening. The Japanese managed to hit Yorktown first.
December
07
The launch of the battleship New Jersey
On 7 December 1942, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, USS New Jersey was launched at Philadelphia – the second of the four Iowa-class battleships.
1943
November
20
Key event
The landing on Tarawa
On 20 November 1943 Marines landed on Betio in Tarawa atoll and Army infantry on Makin. The reef, low tide and bunkers turned the first day into a slaughter.
1944
February
17
The landing on Eniwetok
On 17 February 1944 the Americans began Operation Catchpole – the landing on Eniwetok, at the western end of the Marshall Islands, taken in a week of fighting.
18
Key event
Operation Hailstone – the raid on Truk
On 17–18 February 1944 Mitscher's carriers wrecked the Truk base, sinking dozens of ships and destroying over 250 aircraft. Truk was then bypassed.
23
The first raid on the Marianas
On 23 February 1944 aircraft from six of Mitscher's carriers attacked Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam, destroying Japanese aircraft and photographing the islands.
June
12
Strikes on the Marianas
On 11–14 June 1944 Mitscher's carriers and US battleships hit Saipan, Tinian and Guam ahead of the landings. Admiral Toyoda began readying his fleet for battle.
15
Key event
The landing on Saipan
On 15 June 1944 two US Marine divisions landed on Saipan. That evening American submarines sighted the Japanese fleet heading for the Marianas.
19
Key event
The Battle of the Philippine Sea
On 19–20 June 1944 the US Task Force 58 shattered Ozawa's carrier air groups west of the Marianas. Japan lost three carriers and several hundred aircraft.
July
21
Key event
The landing on Guam
On 21 July 1944 US Marines landed on Guam on both sides of the Orote Peninsula. The island had been under Japanese occupation since December 1941.
1945
January
25
The shelling of Iwo Jima
On 24 January 1945 American cruisers and bombers struck Iwo Jima once again, as preparations went on for Operation Detachment, finally set for 19 February.
February
16
Carriers over Tokyo
On 16–17 February 1945 aircraft from Mitscher’s carriers struck airfields and aircraft plants around Tokyo – the first carrier attack on Japan’s capital.
19
Key event
The landing on Iwo Jima
On 19 February 1945 the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima. By evening 30,000 Marines were ashore, and losses had reached some 2,400 men.
March
19
The strike on Kure and USS Franklin
On 18–21 March 1945 Mitscher’s carriers struck Kyushu, Kure and Kobe; on 19 March two bombs nearly destroyed USS Franklin, killing 724–807 men.
April
07
The sinking of the Yamato
On 7 April 1945 Task Force 58 aircraft sank the battleship Yamato, the cruiser Yahagi and four destroyers. Between 3,700 and 4,250 Japanese were killed.
11
Kamikaze over Okinawa
On 11 April 1945 a kamikaze hit the battleship Missouri and the carrier Enterprise was damaged. The attacks off Okinawa killed nearly 4,900 sailors.
May
05
Kamikaze off Okinawa in May
On 3–4 May 1945 the fifth Kikusui operation sank the destroyers Luce, Morrison and Little off Okinawa. On 11 May kamikaze hit the carrier Bunker Hill.