American Military History Timeline

American Revolution

1775

• April 18th - The Rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes
• April 19th - The Battles of Lexington and Concord
• April 23 - King George III declares the colonies to be in rebellion
• April - Seige of Boston begins
• May 10 - Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia
• June 15 - George Washington named Comander in Chief
• June 16-17 - Battle of Bunker Hill
• July 5 - Americans capture Fort Ticonderoga
• July 6 - Congress issues a "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms"
• September - General Benedict Arnold sets off with an American force to capture Quebec
• November 28 - Continental Congress authorizes creation of US Navy
• December 31 - Americans attack Quebec

• January 15 - Paine's "Common Sense" published
• February 27 - Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge
• March 26 - British evacuate Boston
• July 4 - Declaration of Independence
• September 15 - British occupy New York City
• September 16 - British win the Battle of Harlem Heights
• October 11-12 - Battle of Valcour Bay
• October 27-28- Battle of White Plain
• November 16 - British capture Fort Washington; General Washington retreats through New Jersey
• December 26 - Washington Crosses the Delaware and captures Trenton

• January 3 - Battle of Princeton
• March 12 - The Continental Congress returns to Philadelphia from Baltimore
• April 27 - Battle of Ridgefield, CT. British beaten by Americans commanded by Benedict Arnold
• June 14 - America has a flag. Congress gives Ranger to John Paul Jones with the mission to raid the English coast
• June 17 - British troops under General John Burgoyne sail down Lake Champlain from Canada, planning to cut New England off from the other colonies by linking with General Howe who was to come north from New York City
• July 6 - British recapture Fort Ticonderoga
• July 23 - General Howe sails for Chesapeake Bay to capture Philadelphia, instead of attempting to link with General Burgoyne
• July 27 - Congress names 19 year old French aristocrat Marquis de Lafayette a Major General in the Continental Army after he volunteers to serve without pay
• August 1 - General Burgoyne reaches the Hudson River
• August 16 - Battle of Bennington
• August 25 - Gen. Howe disembarks his troops at Chesapeake Bay
• August 27 - Battle of Long Island
• September 9-11 - Battle of Brandywine. Continental Congress leaves Philadelphia for Lancaster, PA
• September 19 - first Battle of Saratoga
• September 26 - General Howe occupies Philadelphia. Continental Congress moves to York, PA
• October 4 - Battle of Germantown
• October 7 - Second Battle of Saratoga
• October 13 - British surrender at Saratoga
• November - Articles of Confederation ratified
• Winter 1777-1778 - Valley Forge

• January 7 - Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France
• February 6 - Treaty of Alliance with France
• February 23 - Prussian Baron von Steuben joins Americans at Valley Forge and begins drilling and training the troops
• March 16 - British Parliment creates a Peace Commission to negotiate with the Colonies. The Commission sails to Philadelphia and offers to meet all of the American demands other than independence. Continental Congress declines the offer
• May 8 - General Howe is replaced by General Henry Clinton as commander of all British forces in the Colonies
• May 30 - 300 Iroquois Indians burn Cobleskill, New York at the prompting of the British
• June 18 - General Clinton, fearing a French blockade, withdraws from Philadelphia and marches for New York City. Amerians re-occupy Philadelphia
• June 19 - Washington moves from Valley Forge to intercept Clinton
• June 27-28 - Battle of Monmouth. After a standoff, General Clinton continues towards New York
• July 2 - Continental Congress returns to Philadelphia
• July 3 - Massacre at Wyoming Valley, PA; Washington establishes West Point, NY as his headquarters
• July 10 - France declares war on Britain
• August 8 - French naval and American land forces attempt an unsuccessful seige of Newport, RI. The French fleet returns to Boston for repairs
• September 14 - Benjamin Franklin named American representative to France
• November 11 - American settlers massacred by Loyalists and Indians at Cherry Valley, NY
• December 29 - British capture Savannah, GA

• January 29 - British capture Augusta, GA
• February 14 - Militia beat Tories at Kettle Creek, GA
• February 25 - American George Rogers Clark captures Vincennes on the Wabash in the Western campaign
• April - American troops attack Chickamauga Indian villages in Tennessee in retaliation for raids on settlers
• May 10 - British burn Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA
• June 1 - Clinton moves up Hudson towards West Point
• June 16 - Spain declares war on Britain, but does not ally with Americans
• July 5-11 - Connecticut coastal towns raided by Loyalists. Fairfield and Norwald burned, along with ships in the harbor at New Haven
• July 10 - Naval ships from Massachusetts attacking the Loyalist bulwark of Castine, Maine are destroyed by British Navy
• July 15 - Americans capture Stony Point
• August 14 - Continental Congress approves a peace plan specifying independence, complete withdrawal of British forces from Colonies and freedom of navigation on the Mississippi River as conditions
• August 29 - American forces defeat the combined Indian and Loyalist forces at Elmira, New York. Following the victory, American troops head northwest and destroy nearly 40 Cayuga and Seneca Indian villages in retaliation for the campaign of terror against American settlers
• September 3 - October 28 -American forces suffer a major defeat while attacking the British at Savannah, Georgia
• September 23 - Bonne Homme Richard vs Serapis. John Paul Jones replies "I have not yet begun to fight" when asked to surrender by the British captain. Jones then captures the British ship before his own sinks
• September 27 - Congress appoints John Adams to negotiate with England for peace
• October 17 - Washington goes into winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey
• December 26 - General Clinton sails for Charleston from New York with 8000 men

• April 8 - British warships enter Charleston Harbor. Washington sends reinforcements
• May 6 - Fort Moultrie captured by the British
• May 12 - British capture Charleston. With losses of 5400 men , 4 ships and a military arsenal, this is the worst American defeat of the Revolutionary War
• May 25 - In Morristown, New Jersey two Continental regiments conduct an armed march through the camp, demanding immediate payment of overdue salary and full rations. Rebellion is ended by troops from Pennsylvania. Two leaders of the protest are hanged
• May 29 - British crush Americans at Waxhaw Creek, SC
• June 11 - Massachusettes endorses a new constitution asserting "all men are born free and equal," including blacks
• June 14 - Congress appoints General Horatio Gates to command of the Southern Army
• June 20 - Patriots rout Tories at Ramseur's Mill, NC
• June 23 - British defeated by American forces at the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey
• June 28 - Battle of Monmouth
• July 11 - Count de Rochambeau arrives in Newport, Rhode Island with 6000 French soldiers. A British blockade will keep them there for almost a year
• August 3 - Benedict Arnold named commander of West Point
• August 6 - Patriots defeat Tories at Hanging Rock, SC
• August 16 - Battle of Camden
• August 18 - Battle of Fishing Creek, SC. An American defeat opens the door to North Carolina for the British
• September 23 - A British major in civilian clothing, carrying plans indicating Benedict Arnold intends to turn traitor and surrender West Point, is captured near Tarrytown, New York
• September 25 - Benedict Arnold flees West Point to the British ship Vulture on the Hudson. He is later named a brigadier general in the British
• October 7 - Battle of King's Mountain. Cornwallis abandons his invasion of North Carolina
• October 14 - Battle of Shallow Ford. General Gates is replaced by Nathanael Greene as commander ot the Southern Army

• January 3 - Troops from Pennsylvania set up camp near Princeton, NJ and choose their own representatives to negotiate with state officials back in Pennsylvania. The crisis is eventually resolved through negotiations, but over half of the mutineers abandon the army
• January 17 - Battle of Cowpens. General Daniel Morgan defeats General Tarleton in an American victory
• January 20 - Mutiny among American troops at Pompton, New Jersey. The rebellion is put down seven days later by a 600-man force sent by Washington. Two of the leaders are hanged
• March 15 - Battle of Guilford Courthouse. General Cornwallis suffers heavy losses, abandons plans to conquer the Carolinas and retreats to Wilmington, then begins a campaign to conquer Virginia
• April 25 - Battle of Hobkirk's Hill
• May 21 - Washington and French General Rochambeau meet in Connecticut for a war council. Rochambeau reluctantly agrees to Washington's plan for a joint French naval and American ground attack on New York
• June 4 - Thomas Jefferson narrowly escapes capture by the British at Charlottesville, Virginia
• June 10 - Americans troops under Marquis de Lafayette, General Anthony Wayne and Baron von Steuben begin to form a combined force in Virginia to oppose British forces under Benedict Arnold and General Cornwallis
• June 11 - Congress appoints Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Jay to a peace commission to supplement John Adams as the sole negotiator with the British
• July 20 - Slaves rebel in Williamsburg, Virginia
• August 1 - Cornwallis and his 10,000 soldiers arrive at Yorktown, Virginia after several months of chasing General Greene's army with little success. He then establishes a base to communicate by sea with General Clinton's forces in New York
• August 14 - Washington abandons the planned attack on New York in favor of Yorktown after receiving word from French Admiral Count de Grasse indicating his entire 29-ship French fleet with 3000 soldiers is now heading for the Chesapeake Bay near General Cornwallis. Washington also coordinates with General Rochambeau to rush their best troops south to Virginia to destroy the British position in Yorktown
• August 30 - Count de Grasse's fleet arrives off Yorktown, Virginia. De Grasse then lands troops near Yorktown, linking with Lafayette's American troops to cut Cornwallis off from any retreat by land
• September 1 - The troops of Washington and Rochambeau arrive at Philadelphia
• September 5-8 - Off Yorktown, a major naval battle between the French fleet of de Grasse and the outnumbered British fleet of Admiral Thomas Graves results in a victory for de Grasse. The British fleet retreats to New York for reinforcements, leaving the French fleet in control of the Chesapeake. The French fleet establishes a blockade, cutting Cornwallis off from any retreat by sea. French naval reinforcements then arrive from Newport
• # September 6 - Troops under Benedict Arnold loot and burn the port of New London, Connecticut. # September 8 - Battle of Eutaw Springs
• September 14-24 - De Grasse sends his ships up the Chesapeake Bay to transport the armies of Washington and Rochambeau to Yorktown
• September 28 - Washington, with a combined Allied army of 17,000 men, begins the siege of Yorktown. French cannons bombard Cornwallis and his 9000 men day and night while the Allied lines slowly advance and encircle them. British supplies run dangerously low
• October 17 - As Yorktown is about to be taken, the British send out a flag of truce. Washington and Cornwallis then work out terms of surrender
• October 19 - The Brithish surrender at Yorktown. Hopes for a British victory in the war against America are dashed
• October 24 - General Clinton arrives at Chesapeake Bay with 7000 British reinforcements, but turns back upon hearing of the surrender at Yorktown

• January 5, 1782 - The British withdraw from North Carolina
• February 27, 1782 - The British House of Commons votes against further war in America
• March 5, 1782 - Parliament empowers the King to negotiate peace with the United States
• March 20, 1782 - Lord North resigns as British Prime Minister, succeeded two days later by Lord Rockingham who seeks immediate negotiations with the American peace commissioners
• April 4, 1782 - General Clinton replaced by Sir Guy Carleton as British commander in America. Carleton will implement the new British policy of ending hostilities and withdraw British troops from America
• June 11, 1782 - The British withdraw from Savannah
• August 27, 1782 - A skirmish along the Combahee River in South Carolina is the last fighting between American and British forces in the Revolutionary War
• November 10, 1782 - Americans retaliate against Loyalist and Indian forces by attacking a Shawnee Indian village in the Ohio territory in the last battle of the war
• November 30, 1782 - British sign Articles of Peace
• December 14, 1782 - The British withdraw from Charleston
• April 19, 1783 - Congress ratifies preliminary peace treaty
• September 3, 1783 - Treaty of Paris
• November 25, 1783 - British troops leave New York
• December 23, 1783 - Washington Resigns as Commander
• September 19, 1787

1860

• November 6 - Abraham Lincoln elected President. Slave states call conventions to consider secession.
• December 20 - South Carolina secedes from the Union. Within the next six weeks, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana and Georgia follow suit.

1861

• February 4 - Seceded states hold convention in Montgomery, Alabama.
• February 8 - Constitution of Confederate States of America adopted.
• February 9 - Jefferson Davis is Confederacy's first President.
• February 18 - Inauguration of Jefferson Davis.
• March 4 - Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.
• April 8 - Union fleet departs New York to resupply Fort Sumter, South Carolina.
• April 12 - Fort Sumter attacked by Confederates.
• April 13 - Fort Sumter surrenders.
• April 15 - Lincoln calls for 75,000 militiamen and a special session of Congress for July 4. Robert E. Lee declines command of Union Army.
• April 17 - Virginia secedes. North Carolina, Arkansas and Tennessee follows within 5 weeks. General Lee resigns from U.S. Army and accepts command of Virginia forces.
• April 19 - President Lincoln issues Proclamation of Blockade against Confederate ports.
• May 18-19 - Battle of Sewell's Point, VA.
• May 29-June 1 - Battle of Aquia Creek, VA.
• June 3 - Battle of Philippi, WV.
• June 10 - Battle of Big Bethel, VA.
• June 17 - Battle of Booneville, MO
• July 4 - President Lincoln addresses Congress. Congress authorizes a call for 500,000 soldiers.
• July 5 - Battle of Carthage, MO
• July 11 - Battle of Rich Mountain, WV.
• July 18 - Battle of Blackburn's Ford, VA.
• July 21 - First Battle of Manassas, VA.
• July 27 - President Lincoln replaces General Irvin McDowell as Commander of the Dept. of the Potomac with George B. McClellan.
• August 10 - Battle of Wilsons Creek, MO.
• August 26 - Battle of Kessler's Cross Lanes, WV.
• August 28-29 - Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, NC.
• September 2 - Battle of Dry Wood Creek, MO.
• September 10 - Battle of Carnifex Ferry, WV
• September 12-15 - Battle of Cheat Mountain, WV.
• September 11 - General John C. Fremont's unauthorized proclamation of emancipation voided by President Lincoln.
• September 13-20 - First Battle of Lexington, MO.
• September 17 - Battle of Liberty, MO.
• September 19 - Battle of Barbourville, KY.
• October 3 - Battle of Greenbrier River, WV.
• October 9 - Battle of Santa Rosa Island, FL.
• October 21 - Battle of Camp Wildcat, KY; Battle of Fredericktown, MO; Battle of Ball's Bluff, VA.
• October 25 - First Battle of Springfield, MO.
• November 1 - President Lincoln names McClellan commander of all Union forces.
• November 7 - Battle of Belmont, MO.
• November 8 - Union Navy seizes two Confederate officials enroute to Britain. Britain demands their release and threatens war. President Lincoln eventually orders their release.
• November 8-9 - Battle of Ivy Mountain, KY.
• November 19 - Battle of Round Mountain, OK.
• December 9 - Battle of Chusto-Talasah, OK.
• December 13 - Battle of CAmp Allegheny, WV.
• December 17 - Battle of Rowlett's Station, OK.
• December 20 - Battle of Dranesville, VA.
• December 26 - Battle of Chustenahlah, OK.

1862

• January 3 - Battle of Cockpit Point, VA.
• January 5-6 - Battle of Hancock, MD.
• January 8 - Battle of Roan's Tan Yard, MO.
• January 10 - Battle of Middle Creek, KY.
• January 19 - Battle of Mill Springs, KY.
• January 31 - General War Order No. 1, calling for a general advance by all Union forces by February 22, is issued by President Lincoln.
• February 6 - Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Henry, Tennessee for the Union. Battle of Fort Henry, TN.
• February 7-8 - Battle of Roanoake Island, NC.
• February 11-16 - Battle of Fort Donelson, TN.
• February 20-21 - Battle of Valverde, NM.
• February 22 - Jefferson Davis inaugurated President of the Confederacy for a six-year term.
• February 25 - Union forces capture Nashville.
• February 28 - Battle of New Madrid/Island #10, MO.
• March 6-8 - Battle of Pea Ridge, AR.
• March 8-9 - Two Union wooden ships sunk by Confederate Merrimac which then battles Union Monitor to a draw in battle of Hampton Roads, VA.
• March 14 - Battle of New Berne, NC.
• March 23 - First Battle of Kernstown, VA.
• March 23-Arpil 26 - Battle of Fort Macon, NC.
• March 26-28 - Battle of Glorieta Pass, NM.
• March - President Lincoln temporarily takes direct command of Union forces.
• April 5-May 4 - Battle of Yorktown, VA.
• April 6-7 - Battle of Shiloh, TN.
• April 10-11 - Battle of Fort Pulaski, GA.
• April 16 - Conscription enacted by Confederacy.
• April 16-28 - Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, LA.
• April 19 - Battle of South Mills, NC.
• April 25 - Union navy takes New Orleans.
• April 29-June 10 - Battle of Corinth, MS.
• May 5 - Battle of Williamsburg, VA.
• May 7 - Battle of Eltham's Landing, VA.
• May 8 - Battle of McDowell, VA.
• May 15 - Battle of Drewry's Bluff, VA.
• May 23 - Battle of Front Royal, VA.
• May 25 - First Battle of Winchester, VA.
• May 27 - Battle of Hanover Court House, VA.
• May 31-June 1 - Battle of Seven Pines, VA.
• June 1 - Robert E. Lee takes command of the Army of Northern Virginia.
• June 5 - Battle of Tranter's Creek, NC.
• June 6 - Battle of Memphis, TN.
• June 7-8 - Battle of Chattanooga, TN.
• June 8 - Battle of Cross Keys, VA.
• June 9 - Battle of Port Republic, VA.
• June 16 - Battle of Secessionville, SC.
• June 17 - Battle of St. Charles, AR.
• June 25 - Battle of Oak Grove, VA.
• June 25-July 1 - Union forces driven away from Richmond during Seven Days Battles.
• June 26 - Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, VA.
• June 27 - Battle of Gaines' Mill, VA.
• June 27-28 - Battle of Garnett's and Golding's Farms, VA.
• June 29 - Battle of Savage's Station, VA.
• June 30 - Battles of Glendale and White Oak Swamp, VA.
• June 30-July 1 - Battle of Tampa, FL.
• July 1 - Battle of Malvern Hill, VA.
• July 2 - Battle of Hoke's Run, WV.
• July 7 - Battle of Hill's Plantation, AR.
• July 11 - President Lincoln hands over command of Union forces to General Henry W. Halleck.
• July 13 - Battle of Murfreesboro, TN.
• August 5 - Battle of Baton Rouge, LA.
• August 6-9 - Battle of Kirksville, MO.
• August 9 - First Battle of Donaldsonville, LA; Battle of Cedar Mountain, VA.
• August 11 - First Battle of Independence, MO.
• August 15-16 - Battle of Lone Jack, MO.
• August 20-22 - Battle of Fort Ridgely, MN.
• August 22-25 - First Battle of Rappahannock Station, VA.
• August 25-27 - Manassas Stations Operations, VA.
• August 28 - Battle of Thoroughfare Gap, VA.
• August 29-30 - Second Battle of Manassas, VA; Battle of Richmond, KY.
• September 1 - Battle of Chantilly, VA.
• September 4 - Robert E. Lee invades Maryland, heading for Harpers Ferry. Union Army pursues.
• September 12-15 - Battle of Harpers Ferry, WV.
• September 14 - Battle of South Mountain, MD.
• September 14-17 - Battle of Munfordville, KY.
• September 16-18 - Battle of Antietam.
• September 19 - Battle of Iuka, MS.
• September 19-20 - Battle of Shepherdstown, WV.
• September 22 - President Lincoln issues preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
• September 23 - Battle of Wood Lake, MN.
• September 24-25 - First Battle of Sabine Pass, TX.
• September 30 - First Battle of Newtonia, MO.
• October - President Lincoln visits General McClellan at Antietam.
• October 1-2 - Battle of St. John's Bluff, FL.
• October 3-4 - Second Battle of Corinth, MS.
• October 4 - Battle of Galveston, TX.
• October 5 - Battle of Hatchie's Bridge, TN.
• October 8 - Battle of Perryville, KY.
• October 22 - Battle of Old Fort Wayne, OK.
• October 27 - Battle of Georgia Landing, LA.
• November 7 - President Lincoln names General Ambrose E. Burnside to replace McClellan as Army of Potomac commander. Battle of Clark's Mill, MO.
• November 28 - Battle of Cane Hill, AR.
• December 7 - Battle of Prairie Grove, AR; Battle of Hartsville, TN.
• December 11-15 - First Battle of Battle of Fredericksburg, VA.
• December 14 - Battle of Kinston, NC.
• December 16 - Battle of White Hall, NC.
• December 17 - Battle of Goldsborough Bridge, NC.
• December 19 - Battle of Jackson, TN.
• December 26-29 - Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, MS.
• December 31 - Battle of Parker's Crossroads, TN.
• December 31-January 2 - Battle of Stones River, TN.

1863

• January 1 - Lincoln issues final Emancipation Proclamation. Second Battle of Galveston, TX.
• January 8 - Second Battle of Springfield, MO.
• January 9-11 - Battle of Arkansas Post, AR; Battle of Hartville, MO.
• January 25 - General Burnside replaced as Commander of the Army of the Potomac by General Joseph Hooker.
• January 29 - General Grant placed in command of the Army of the West and ordered to capture Vicksburg. Battle of Bear River, ID.
• February 3 - Battle of Dover, TN.
• March 3 - Union enacts the draft. First Battle of Fort McAllister, GA.
• March 5 - Battle of Thompson's Station, TN.
• March 13-15 - Battle of Fort Anderson, NC.
• March 17 - Battle of Kelly's Ford, VA.
• March 20 - Battle of Vaught's Mill, TN.
• March 25 - Battle of Brentwood, TN.
• March 30-April 20 - Battle of Washington, NC.
• April 7 - First Battle of Charleston Harbor, SC.
• April 10 - Battle of Franklin, TN.
• April 11-May 4 - Battle of Suffolk/Hill's Point, VA.
• April 12-13 - Battle of Fort Bisland, LA.
• April 13-15 - Battle of Suffolk/Norfleet House Battery, VA.
• April 14 - Battle of Irish Bend, LA.
• April 17 - Battle of Vermillion Bayou, LA.
• April 26 - Battle of Cape Girardeau, MO.
• April 29 - Battle of Grand Gulf, MS.
• April 29-May 1 - Battle of Snyder's Bluff, MS.
• April 30 - Battle of Day's Gap, AL.
• April 30-May 6 - Battle of Chancellorsville, VA.
• May 1 - Battle of Port Gibson, MS.
• May 3 - Battle of Second Battle of Fredericksburg, VA.
• May 3-4 - Battle of Salem Church, VA.
• May 10 - Confederate General Stonewall Jackson dies.
• May 12 - Battle of Raymond, MS.
• May 14 - Battle of Jackson, MS.
• May 15 - Confederacy approves General Lee's plan to invade Pennsylvania.
• May 16 - Battle of Champion Hill, MS.
• May 17 - Battle of Big Black River Bridge, MS.
• May 18-July 4 - Siege of Vicksburg, MS.
• May 21 - Battle of Plains Store, LA.
• May 21-July 9 - Battle of Port Hudson, LA.>
• June 6 - Lee's army moves north to invade Pennsylvania.
• June 7 - Battle of Milliken's Bend, LA.
• June 9 - Battle of Brandy Station, VA.
• June 13 - Second Battle of Winchester, VA.
• June 16 - Confederate units cross the Potomac.
• June 17 - Battle of Aldie, VA.
• June 17-19 - Battle of Middleburg, VA.
• June 20-21 - Battle of LaFourche Crossing, LA.
• June 21 - Battle of Upperville, VA.
• June 24-26 - Battle of Hoover's Gap, TN.
• June 25 - Jeb Stuart's cavalry raids in rear of Union army.
• June 28 - George G. Meade replaces Joseph Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Second Battle of Donaldsonville, LA.
• June 29-30 - Battle of Goodrich's Landing, LA.
• June 30 - Battle of Hanover, PA.
• July 1-2 - Battle of Cabin Creek, OK.
• July 1-3 - Battle of Gettysburg, PA.
• July 4 - Confederates retreat to Virginia; Vicksburg surrenders to Union Army. Battle of Helena, AR.
• July 6-16 - Battle of Williamsport, MD.
• July 8 - Battle of Boonsboro, MD.
• July 9 - Battle of Corydon, IN.
• July 10-11 - First Battle of Fort Wagner, SC.
• July 12-13 - Battle of Kock's Plantation, LA.
• July 13-16 - New York City draft riots.
• July 16 - Battle of Grimball's Landing, SC.
• July 17 - Battle of Honey Springs, OK.
• July 18-September 7 - Second Union assault on Fort Wagner, SC.
• July 19 - Battle of Buffington Island, OH.
• July 23 - Battle of Manassas Gap, VA.
• July 24-25 - Battle of Big Mound, ND.
• July 26 - Battle of Salineville, OH; Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake, ND.
• July 28 - Battle of Stony Lake, ND.
• August 10 - President Lincoln meets with abolitionist Fredrick Douglass.
• August 17-23 - Federal bombardment of Fort Sumter.
• August 21 - Pro-Confederate William C. Quantrill's raiders slaughter 182 men and boys in Lawrence, Kansas. Battle of Chattanooga, TN.
• September 1 - Battle of Devil's Backbone, AR.
• September 3-5 - Battle of Whitestone Hill, ND.
• September 7-8 - Federal storming party repulsed at Fort Sumter.
• September 8 - Second Battle of Sabine Pass, TX.
• September 10 - Battle of Bayou Fourche, AR.
• September 18-20 - Battle of Chickamauga, GA.
• September 22 - Battle of Blountsville, TN.
• September 29 - Battle of Stirling's Plantation, LA.
• October 6 - Battle of Baxter Springs, KS.
• October 10 - Battle of Blue Springs, TN.
• October 13 - Battle of Auburn, VA.
• October 15 - Second Battle of Auburn, VA; Battle of Bristoe Station, VA.
• October 16 - President Lincoln appoints General Grant commander of all Union operations in Western Theater.
• October 16-18 - Battle of Fort Brooke, FL.
• October 19 - Battle of Buckland Mills, VA.
• October 25 - Battle of Pine Bluff, AR.
• October 28-29 - Battle of Wauhatchie, TN.
• November 3 - Battle of Collierville, TN.
• November 6 - Battle of Droop Mountain, WV.
• November 7 - Second Battle of Rappahannock Station, VA.
• November 16 - Battle of Campbell's Station, TN.
• November 19 - Lincoln'sGettysburg Address.
• November 23-25 - Battle of Chattanooga, TN.
• November 23-December 2 - Battle of Mine Run, VA.
• November 27 - Battle of Ringgold Gap, GA.
• November 29 - Battle of Fort Sanders, TN.
• December 14 - Battle of Bean's Station, TN.
• December 29 - Battle of Mossy Creek, TN.

1864

• January 17 - Battle of Dandridge, TN.
• January 26 - Battle of Athens, AL.
• January 27 - Battle of Fair Garden, TN.
• February 6-7 - Battle of Morton's Ford, VA.
• February 13 - Battle of Middle Boggy Depot, OK.
• February 14-20 - Battle of Meridian, MS.
• February 20 - Battle of Olustee, FL.
• February 22 - Battle of Okolona, MS.
• February 22-27 - First Battle of Dalton, GA.
• March 2 - Battle of Walkerton, VA.
• March 9 - General Grant named commander of all Union armies. General Sherman replaces Grant in the west.
• March 14 - Battle of Fort DeRussy, LA.
• March 25 - Battle of Paducah, KY.
• April 3-4 - Battle of Elkin's Ferry, AR.
• April 8 - Battle of Mansfield, LA.
• April 9 - Battle of Pleasant Hill, LA.
• April 9-13 - Battle of Prairie D'Ane, AR.
• April 12 - Battle of Fort Pillow, TN.
• April 12-13 - Battle of Blair's Landing, LA.
• April 17-20 - Battle of Plymouth, NC.
• April 18 - Battle of Poison Spring, AR.
• April 23 - Battle of Monett's Ferry, LA.
• April 25 - Battle of Marks' Mills, AR.
• April 30 - Battle of Jenkin's Ferry, AR.
• May 4 - Massive campaign involving all Union armies begins.
• May 5 - Battle of Albemarle Sound, NC.
• May 5-6 - Battle of Wilderness, VA.
• May 6-7 - Battle of Port Walthall Junction, VA.
• May 7 - General Sherman begins his Atlanta campaign.
• May 7-13 - Battle of Rocky Face Ridge, GA.
• May 8-12 - Battle of Spotsylvania, VA
• May 9 - Battles of Cloyd's Mountain and Swift Creek, VA..
• May 10 - Battles of Chester Station and Cove Mountain, VA.
• May 11 - Battle of Yellow Tavern, VA.
• May 12-16 - Battle of Proctor's Creek, VA.
• May 13-15 - Battle of Resaca, GA.
• May 15 - Battle of New Market, VA.
• May 16 - Battle of Mansura, LA.
• May 17 - Battle of Adairsville, GA.
• May 18 - Battle of Yellow Bayou, LA.
• May 20 - Battle of Ware Bottom Church, VA.
• May 23-26 - Battle of North Anna, VA.
• May 24 - Battle of Wilson's Warf, VA.
• May 25-26 - Battle of New Hope Church, GA.
• May 26-June 1 - Battle of Dallas, GA.
• May 27 - Battle of Pickett's Mill, GA.
• May 28 - Battle of Haw's Shop, VA.
• May 28-30 - Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, VA.
• May 30 - Battle of Old Church, VA.
• May 31-June 12 - Battle of Cold Harbor, VA.
• June 5-6 - Battle of Piedmont, VA.
• June 6 - Battle of Old River Lake, AR.
• June 9 - Battles of Petersburg and first Ream's Station, VA.
• June 9-July 3 - Battle of Marietta, GA.
• June 10 - Battle of Brice's Crossroads, MS.
• June 11-12 - Battle of Cynthiana, KY; Battle of Trevilian Station, VA.
• June 15 - Siege of Petersburg begins when Union forces miss an opportunity to capture Petersburg and cut the Confederate rail lines.
• June 17-18 - Battle of Lynchburg, VA.
• June 21-24 - Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, VA.
• June 22 - Battle of Kolb's Farm, GA.
• June 24 - Battle of St. Mary's Church, VA.
• June 25 - Battle of Staunton River Bridge, VA.
• June 27 - Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, GA.
• June 28 - Battle of Sappony Church, VA.
• July 9 - Battle of Monocay, MD.
• July 11-12 - Battle of Fort Stevens, DC.
• July 14-15 - Battle of Tupelo, MS.
• July 17-18 - Battle of Cool Spring, VA.
• July 20 - Battle of Peachtree Creek, GA; Battle of Rutherford's Farm, VA.
• July 24 - Second Battle of Kernstown, VA.
• July 27-29 - First Battle of Deep Bottom, VA.
• July 28 - Battle of Ezra Church, GA.
• July 28-29 - Battle of Killdeer Mountain, ND.
• July 30 - Battle of Crater, VA.
• August 1 - Battle of Folck's Mill, MD.
• August 2-23 - Battle of Mobile Bay, AL.
• August 5-7 - Battle of Utoy Creek, GA.
• August 7 - Battle of Moorefield, WV.
• August 13-20 - Second Battle of Deep Bottom, VA.
• August 14-15 - Second Battle of Dalton, GA.
• August 16 - Battle of Guard Hill, VA.
• August 18-21 - Battle of Glove Tavern, VA.
• August 20 - Battle of Lovejoy's Station, GA.
• August 21 - Battle of Memphis, TN; Battle of Summit Point, WV.
• August 25 - Second Battle of Ream's Station, VA.
• August 25-29 - Battle of Smithfield Crossing, WV.
• August 29 - George B. McClellan nominated by Democrats to run against President Lincoln.
• August 31-September 1 - Battle of Jonesborough, GA.
• September 2 - Atlanta surrenders to General Sherman.
• September 3-4 - Battle of Berryville, VA.
• September 10-11 - Battle of Davis' Crossroads, GA.
• September 19 - Battle of Opequon, VA.
• September 21-22 - Battle of Fisher's Hill, VA.
• September 27 - Battle of Fort Davidson, MO.
• September 29-30 - Battle of Chaffin's Farm/New Market Heights, VA.
• September 30-October 2 - Battle of Peeble's Farm, VA.
• October 2 - First Battle of Saltville, VA.
• October 5 - Battle of Allatoona, GA.
• October 7 - Battle of Darbytown and New Market Heights, VA.
• October 9 - Battle of Tom's Brook, VA.
• October 13 - Battle of Darbytown Road, VA.
• October 15 - Battle of Glasgo, MO.
• October 19 - Second Battle of Lexington, MO; Battle of Cedar Creek, VA.
• October 21 - Battle of Little Blue River, MO.
• October 22 - Second Battle of Independence, MO.
• October 22-23 - Battle of Byram's Ford, MO.
• October 23 - Battle of Westport, MO.
• October 25 - Battle of Marais des Cygnes, KS; Battle of Mine Creek, KS.
• October 26-29 - Battle of Decatur, AL.
• October 27-28 - Battle of Boydton Plank Road, VA; Battle of Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road, VA.
• October 28 - Second Battle of Newtonia, MO.
• November 4-5 - Battle of Johnsonville, TN.
• November 8 - Lincoln re-elected President.
• November 11-13 - Battle of Bull's Gap, TN.
• November 15 - General Sherman begins march to the sea.
• November 22 - Battle of Griswoldville, GA.
• November 24-29 - Battle of Columbia, TN.
• November 28 - Battle of Buck Head Creek, GA.
• November 29 - Battle of Spring Hill, TN.
• November 29-30 - Battle of Sand Creek, CO.
• November 30 - Battle of Franklin, TN; Battle of Honey Hill, SC.
• December 4 - Battle of Waynesborough, GA.
• December 5-7 - Battle of Murfreesboro, TN.
• December 7-27 - First Battle of Fort Fisher, NC.
• December 13 - Second Battle of Fort McAllister, GA.
• December 15-16 - Confederate Army of Tennessee destroyed in Battle of Nashville.
• December 17-18 - Battle of Marion, VA.
• December 20 - Second Battle of Saltville, VA.
• December 21 - General Sherman reaches Savannah.

1865

• January 13-15 - Second Battle of Fort Fisher, NC.
• January 31 - Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution approved by Congress.
• February 1 - General Sherman begins march through the Carolinas.
• February 3 - President Lincoln meets with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens in an unsuccessful peace conference. Battle of Rivers' Bridge, SC.
• February 5-7 - Battle of Hatcher's Run, VA.
• February 12-22 - Battle of Wilmington, NC.
• March 2 - Battle of Waynesboro, VA.
• March 6 - Battle of Natural Bridge, FL.
• March 7-10 - Battle of Wyse Fork, NC.
• March 16 - Battle of Averasborough, NC.
• March 19-21 - Battle of Bentonville, NC.
• March 20 - Battle of Monroe's Crossroads, NC
• March 25 - Battle of Fort Stedman, VA. General Lee begins his last offensive by attacking Grant at Petersburg.
• March 27-April 8 - Battle of Spanish Fort, AL.
• March 29 - Battle of Lewis's Farm, VA.
• March 31 - Battles of Dinwiddie Court House and White Oak Road, VA.
• April 1 - Battle of Five Forks, VA.
• April 2 - Richmond and Petersburg fall. Battle of Selma, AL. Battle of Sutherland's Station, VA.
• April 2-9 - Battle of Fort Blakely, AL.
• April 3 - Battle of Namozine, VA.
• April 5 - Battle of Amelia Springs, VA.
• April 6 - Battles of Rice's Station and Sailor's Creek, VA.
• April 6-7 - Battle of High Bridge, VA.
• April 7 - Battle of Cumberland Church, VA.
• April 8 - Battle of Appomattox Station, VA.
• April 9 - Lee surrenders at Appomattox.
• April 14 - President Lincoln shot by John Wilkes Booth.
• April 15 - President Lincoln dies.
• April 18 - General Johnston surrenders to Sherman near Durham, North Carolina.
• April 26 - John Wilkes Booth killed in Virginia.
• May 12-13 - Battle of Palmito Ranch, TX.
• May - Civil war ends and nation is reunited with surrender of remaining Confederate armies.
• December 18 - Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified.

Spanish-American War

1898

• January 25 - USS Maine is sent to Havana, Cuba.
• February 8 - Letter written by Senor Dupuy de Lome, Spanish Minister to the United States, is published.  Derogatory of President McKinley, the letter leads to his resignation.  Senor Luis Polo y Bernabe is named the new Minister.
• February 15 - USS Maine is destroyed by an explosion in Havana's harbor. Two hundred sixy-six killed.
• February 17 - Court of inquiry into the loss of the USS Maine is ordered by the Commander of the North Atlantic Squadron, Rear Admiral Sicard.
• February 19 - United States declines a Spanish request for a joint investigation into the destruction of the Maine.
• February 21 - The U.S. Senate orders an investigation into the loss of the Maine.
• March 8-9 - A $50 million emergency fund at President McKinley's disposal is passed by Congress.
• March 16 - Spain objects to the U.S. fleet's presence at Key West and other heightened defense activities.
• March 19 - Senator Proctor of Vermont gives his personal observations on Cuba to the Senate.
• March 28 - Congress receives the report on the Maine from the Court of Inquiry.
• April 5 - Consul General Lee recalled from Cuba.
• April 10 - Consul General Lee departs Cuba.
• April 11 - President McKinley recommends armed intervention in Cuba in a message to Congress.
• April 15 - U.S. Army mobilized.
• April 16 - Senate passes Belligerency Resolutions.
• April 19 - Resolutions demanding Spanish withdrawal from Cuba passed by Congress.
• April 20 - Queen opens Cortes with war speech. Government announces its opposition to privateering. President McKinley signs notification to the nations of intent to blockade.
• April 21 - Spain severs diplomatic relations with the United States. President McKinley cables U.S. ultimatum to Spain, demanding a reply by April 23. Spanish Minister leaves Washington.
• April 22 - American squadron blockades Cuban ports.
• April 23 - Proclamation calling for 125,000 volunteers is issued by President McKinley.
• April 24 - Spain declares war on United States.
• April 25 - Resolution declaring a state of war has existed since April 21 is passed by Congress.
• April 26 - Volunteer recruitment began in New York City.
• April 27 - Seventh Regiment from New York declines to enlist.
• April 28 - Commodore Dewey's fleet sails for Manila from Hong Kong.
• April 29 - Spanish squadron sails for the West Indies from Cape Verde.
• April 30 - Commodore Dewey's fleet arrives at Manila.
• May 1 - Spanish fleet at Manila destroyed by Dewey's fleet. USS Topeka (a cruiser) arrives in New York from Falmouth.
• May 2 - Dewey cuts Manila-Hong Kong cable.
• May 4 - USS Oregon (battleship) and USS Marietta (gunboat) sail for Rio de Janeiro.
• May 7 - State Department informed of seizure of Cavite by Commodore Dewey.
• May 9 - Congress thanks Dewey. New York Governor disbands Thirteenth Regiment.
• May 11 - USS Winslow (torpedo boat) shelled by Spanish forts at Cardenas. Five killed.
• May 12 - Spanish forts at San Juan, Puerto Rico bombarded by U.S. squadron under Admiral Sampson. Spanish fleet arrives at Fort de France, Martinique from Cape Verde.
• May 13 - Commodore Schley's fleet sails south to meet the Spanish fleet.
• May 14 - Spanish fleet spotted off Curacao.
• May 15 - Sagasta's Cabinet resigns. Spanish torpedo-boat destroyer Terror disabled at Fort de France, Martinique. Spainish fleet leaves Curacao. Reorganization of Thirteenth Regiment Authorized by Governor Black.
• May 18 - Ninety thousand troops order to mobilize at Chickamauga.
• May 20 - Spanish fleet arrives at Santiago, Cuba.
• May 24 – Spanish fleet bottled up at Santiago de Cuba.
• May 25 – Three troop transports depart for Manila. Seventy-five thousand more volunteers called for by President McKinley.
• May 26 – USS Oregon arrives at Key West. Insurgent leaders contacted by Commodore Schley. New York Ninth and Sixy-ninth Regiments arrive at Chattanooga. No opposition to Florida expedition landing near Guantanamo, Cuba.
• May 29 - Trapping of Cervera in Santiago harbor reported by Commodore Schley. USS Columbia (cruiser) after colliding with the British steamer Foscolia, which sank.
• May 30 - Troops at Tampa embark for Havana.
• May 31 - Spanish fort at Santiago bombarded by Rear Admiral Sampson's fleet.
• June 1 - Transports bound for Manila arrive in Honolulu. USS Monadnock (monitor) ordered to Manila from San Fransisco.
• June 3 - Santiago bombarded by U.S. fleet.
• June 4 - USS Merrimac (cruiser) sunk in mouth of Santiago harbor.
• June 7 - Batteries at Santiago bombarded and silenced by U.S. squadron.
• June 8 - Fortifications at Guantanamo Bay assaulted.
• June 9 - War revenue conference report agreed on by House.
• June 10 - Guantanamo Bay reported held since June 7 by Admiral Sampson. War revenue conference report agreed on by Senate. Marines land at Caimanera.
• June 11 - Spaniards kill four Americans at Caimanera.
• June 13 - Shafter's troops sail for Santiago.
• June 14 - Two Americans and several hundred Spaniards killed at Caimanera.
• June 15 - Second expedition sails for Manila from San Fransisco. Use of dynamite guns on USS Vesuvius results in great destruction to Santiago forts.
• June 17 - Spanish squadron passed Gibraltar after sailing from Cadiz.
• June 19 - General Shafter reports that he can take Santiago in 48 hours.
• June 20 - Shafter's troops arrive off Santiago de Cuba.
• June 22 - Shafter lands portion of his troops.
• June 23 - Admiral Camara's fleet arrive at Island of Pantellaria.
• June 28 - Blockade of souther Cuba (Cape Franc to Cape Cruz) proclaimed by President McKinley.
• July 1 - Santiago assaulted by American forces, outer works captured.
• July 2 - American attack on Santiago renewed. Americans lose 1000 killed and wounded and take 2000 Spanish prisoners.
• July 3 - Spanish fleet at Santiago destroyed.
• July 6 - American gunboats blow up Alfonso XII (transport) off of Mariel. Prisoner exchange takes place outside Santiago.
• July 7 - President McKinley signs Hawaiian Annexation Resolution. Subig captured by Admiral Dewey with 1300 prisoners.
• July 11 - Admiral Cervera and 746 prisoners transported to Portsmouth, New Hampshire by USS St. Louis (cruiser). Santiago bombarded by American fleet.
• July 13 - Yellow fever outbreak in Shafter's army announced.
• July 14 - Santiago surrenders.
• July 18 - Presidential proclamation provides for government of Santiago. Manzanillo bombarded by American ships; seven Spanish vessels destroyed.
• July 21 - General Miles' army at Puerto Rico. American gunboats capture Nipe and sink Jorge Juan (cruiser).
• July 25 - U.S. troops land at Guanica, Puerto Rico which surrenders after being fired upon by USS Gloucester.
• July 26 - Spanish government, through France, asks U.S. for terms for peace.
• July 28 - Ponce, Puerto Rico surrenders and welcomes U.S. troops.
• July 30 - President McKinley provides terms for peace to Spanish through France.
• July 31 - U.S. troops encounter Spanish troops at Malate, Philippines.
• August 9 - Spain accepts McKinley's terms for peace.
• August 10 - U.S. forces capture Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
• August 12 - War ends, blockades of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Manila lifted.

World War I

1914

• June 28 - Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo.
• July 28 - Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.
• August 1 - Germany declares war on Russia.
• August 3 - Germany declares war on France.
• August 4 - Great Britain declares war on Germany.
• August 4 - Germany invades neutral Belgium.
• August 26-30 - Battle of Tannenberg.
• August - Battle of Togoland.
• August - The Pursuit of the Goeben and the Breslau.
• September - First Battle of Aisne.
• September - Battle of Lemberg.
• September 5-10 - First Battle of the Marne.
• October-November - First Battle of Ypres.
• November - Battle of Lodz.
• December 25 - Unofficial Christmas Truce on the Western Front.

1915

• January 19 - First German zeppelin air raid on England.
• February 4 - Any ship approaching Britain is considered a legitimate target as Germany declares a submarine blockade of England.
• February - Battle of Masuria.
• March - Battle of Neuve-Chapelle.
• March-December - Battles of Aubers Ridge and Festubert.
• April 22-May 5 - Second Battle of Ypres. First use of chemical weapons.
• April 23 - Allied assault on Gallipoli.
• May 7 - Lusitania sunk.
• May - Battle of Gorlice-Tarnow.
• August 30 - Responding to American demands, Germany stops sinking ships without warning.
• September 5 - Tsar Nicholas commander of Russian armies.
• September-October - Battle of Artois & Champagne.
• September-October - Battle of Loos.
• December 7 - David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain.
• December 28 - Allied withdrawal from Gallipoli.
• December-April, 1916 - Siege of Kut.

1916

• February 21-December 18 - Battle of Verdun.
• May-June - Trentino Offensive.
• May 31 - Battle of Jutland.
• June 4 - The Brusilov Offensive.
• July 1-November 18 - Battle of the Somme.
• November 7 - Woodrow Wilson re-elected.
• December 31 - Rasputin murdered.

1917

• February 1 - Unrestricted submarine warfare declared by Germany, again.
• February 24 - The Sinking of the Laconia.
• March 15 - Tsar Nicholas abdicates.
• March-September - Russia collapses.
• April 6 - United States declares war on Germany.
• April 16-29 - Chemin des Dames Offensive.
• April - Battle of Arras & Vimy Ridge.
• April - Nivelle Offensive.
• June - Battle of Messines.
• July 6 - Aquaba captured by Arabs led by T.E.Lawrence.
• July 16-November 10 - Third Battle of Ypres.
• August 6 - Aleksander Fyodorovich Kerensky appointed Prime Minister of Russia.
• October - Battle of Caporetto.
• November 7 - Kerensky's government overthrown by Bolsheviks.
• November 10 - British reach Passchendaele.
• November - Battle of Cambrai.
• December 3 - German-Russian armistice.
• December 9 - Jerusalem captured by British.

1918

• January 8 - President Wilson presents 14-point plan.
• March-June - Ludendorff Offensive.
• April - Zeebruggge Raid.
• June-July - Piave Offensive.
• July 16-17 - Bolsheviks murder Tsar Nicholas and his family.
• August 8 - Allied counter-offensives on the Somme.>
• September 29 - Allies break through the Hindenberg Line.
• September-October - Battle of Megiddo.
• September - St. Mihiel Offensive.
• September-November - Battle of Meuse-Argonne.
• October 28 - German sailors mutiny.
• November 9 - Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates.
• November 10 - German republic founded.
• November 11 - Armistice signed.

1919

• June 28 - Treaty of Versailles signed.

1941

• January 5 - Australians capture Bardia, Libya.
• January 7 - Office of Production Management is established.
• January 16 - Congress asked to immediately appropriate $350 million for 200 new merchant ships by Roosevelt.
• January 22 - Tobruk is captured by the British and Australians.
• January 29 - U.S. and Britain begin staff conversations in Washington to determine joint strategy in case of U.S. involvement in the war.
• January 30 - Germany announces that any ship bringing aid to Britain will be sunk.
• February 1 - Navy reorganizes U.S. Fleet - Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic Fleets. Admiral H.E. Kimmel named Commander in Chief of Pacific Fleet, Admiral E.J. King named Commander in Chief of Atlantic Fleet and Admiral T.C. Hart continues as Commander in Chief of Asiatic Fleet.
• February 6 - Benghazi captured by the British and Australians.
• February 11 - The British advance into Italian Somaliland.
• February 12 - German General Erwin Rommel arrives in Tripoli.
• February 14 - The first units of Germany's Afrika Corps arrives in North Africa.
• February 15 - Naval Air Station established at Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii.
• February 19 - Coast Guard Reserve established.
• February 25 - The British capture Mogadishu in Italian Somaliland.
• March 1 - Germany occupies Bulgaria which then joins the Axis. Support Force, Atlantic Fleet is established for convoy protection in the north Atlantic.
• March 7 - British forces arrive in Greece.
• March 10 - France cedes territory to Thailand and give Japan a monopoly on the Indochinese rice crop and the right to the airport at Saigon as Japan mediates the undeclared war between France and Indochina.
• March 11 - Lend-Lease Act. Neutrality Act of 1939 changed to allow transfer of munitions to Allies.
• March 12 - Naval Air Station established at Corpus Christie, Texas.
• March 25 - Yugoslavia signs the Tripartite Act.
• March 27 - U.S.-British staff discussions end in Washington with the ABC-1 Staff Agreement. The government of Yugoslavia is overthrown. Yugoslavia leaves the Tripartite Act.
• March 28 - Three Italian cruisers and 2 destroyers sunk and several ships damaged by British in the Battle of Cape Matapan.
• March 30 - U.S. seizes German, Italian and Danish ships in U.S. ports. German Afrika Corps begins its offensive in North Africa.
• March 31 - South Greenland Survey Expedition arrives at Godthaab, Greenland to locate and recommend sites for military and naval installations, and to gather hydrographic information.
• April 3 - Pro-Axis government set up in Iraq.
• April 4 - Benghazi captured by the Germans.
• April 6 - Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece. Italy declares war on Yugoslavia.
• April 7 - U.S. Naval Operating Base established in Bermuda.
• April 9 - Agreement Relating to the Defense of Greenland signed by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Danish Minister to the U.S. USS North Carolina (BB-55) commissioned in New York City.
• April 10 - USS Niblack (DD-424) depth charges a German submarine off of Iceland in what is believed to be the first act of war between Germany and the U.S. Roosevelt declares the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to no longer be combat areas and open to U.S. shipping. Zagreb falls to the Germans.
• April 12 - Germans occupy Belgrade.
• April 13 - Russo-Japanese Non-Aggression Pact signed.
• April 14 - Rommel attacks Tobruk.
• April 17 - Yugoslavia surrenders to the Axis. The German raider Atlantis sinks the Egyptian steamship Zamzam in the south Atlantic. One hundred and fifty Americans are among the passengers rescued.
• April 22 - Regular Navy's authorized enlisted strength increased to 232,000. Thessalonika is captured by the Germans.
• April 23 - Greece and Germany sign armistice.
• April 24 - Neutrality patrol is extended to 26 d. West Longitude.
• April 26 - Neutrality patrol is extended to 20 d. South Latitude.
• April 27 - American-Dutch-British Conference at Singapore ends. Germany captures Athens and Greece surrenders.
• April 28 - Germans capture Sollum.
• May 1 - German attack on Tobruk is repulsed.
• May 10 - Rudolph Hess flies to Scotland. Germans heavily bomb London. The British bomb Hamburg.
• May 12 - U.S. Secretary of State presented with Japanese peace proposal by Ambassador Nomura.
• May 15 - USS Washington (BB-56) is commissioned at Philadelphia. The British recapture Sollum and Halfaya.
• May 20 - Germany invades Crete with airborne troops.
• May 21 - A German U-boat sinks the US freighter Robin Moor.
• May 24 - The German battleship Bismark sinks HMS Hood in the Denmark Straits. Navy authorized for the construction or acquisition of 550,000 tons of auxiliary shipping.
• May 27 - Bismark sunk by British Navy in the north Atlantic. Roosevelt declares an unlimited state of emergency, extends the Atlantic Neutrality Patrol and announces the Pacific Fleet units have been transferred to the Atlantic.
• May 31 - British forces in Crete are defeated.
• June 1 - Crete surrenders to Germany. South Greenland Patrol is established.
• June 2 - USS Long Island (AVG-1) is commissioned as the first escort carrier at Newport News, Virginia.
• June 4 - Pro-Allied government set up in Iraq.
• June 6 - A bill authorized the U.S. to requisition foreign merchant ships lying idle in U.S. ports is signed. Naval Air Station established at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.
• June 8 - Allies invade Syria and Lebanon.
• June 12 - All members of the Naval Reserve not in deferred status are called to active duty.
• June 14 - US freezes German and Italian assets.
• June 15 - Naval Air Station established at Kodiak, Alaska.
• June 16 - U.S. State Department request all German consulates in U.S. territory be closed.
• June 19 - Germany and Italy request closure of U.S. consulates.
• June 21 - U.S. State Department requests all Italian consulates in U.S. territory be closed.
• June 22 - Germans execute Operation Barbarossa and invade Russia. Italy, Rumania, Hungary and Slovakia declare war on Russia.
• June 25 - Finland declares war on Russia.
• June 28 - Albania declares war on Russia. Minsk captured by the Germans.
• June 30 - France severs relations with Russia.
• July 1 - North Atlantic, Southern, Caribbean, Panama, Pacific Southern, Pacific Northern, Hawaiian, and Philippine are established as Naval Coast Frontiers. Patrol Wing 7 is commissioned at Argentia, Newfoundland. Northeast Greenland Patrol organized by Coast Guard.
• July 2 - Japan recalls merchant shipping from Atlantic Ocean and calls more than a million army conscripts.
• July 3 - Stalin calls for a scorched earth policy.
• July 7 - Roosevelt informs congress that U.S. troops will occupy Iceland in accordance with an executive agreement with that country. U.S. Navy to take all steps to maintain communications between the U.S. and Iceland. Marines under Brig. General J. Marston land at Reykjavik.
• July 8 - Patrol Wing 8 commissioned at San Diego.
• July 10 - Second Marine Air Wing Commissioned at San Diego. The Germans cross the River Dnieper in the Ukraine.
• July 14 - Syria occupied by the British.
• July 12 - Naval Research and Development Board created. Naval Air Station established at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The British and Russians sign a Mutual Assistance agreement.
• July 15 - German troops capture Smolensk.
• July 17 - U.S. establishes Naval Air Station and Naval Operating Base at Argentia, Newfoundland.
• July 18 - New Japanese cabinet formed. Vice Admiral T. Toyoda is new Foreign Minister.
• July 19 - U.S. Naval Task Force is organized to support the defense of Iceland and escort convoys between Iceland and the U.S.
• July 26 - U.S. Army Forces, Far East is organized under Lt. General Douglas MacArthur. Philippine military is called into service with U.S. Army. U.S. freezes Japanese and Chinese assets and suspends relations with Japan.
• July 28 - Japan freezes U.S. assets.
• July 29 - Southern Indochina occupied by Japan with permission of French.
• July 30 - The U.S. river gunboat USS Tutuila (PR-4) is bombed at Chunking, China by Japanese planes.
• July 31 - Japan apologizes for the bombing of USS Tutuila. Economic Defense Board created. Goring instructs Heydrich to prepare for "the final solution."
• August 1 - Naval Operating Base is established at Trinidad. Naval Air Station is established at Midway Island. US announces an oil embargo against the Axis states.
• August 8 - A conference between Roosevelt and the Japanese Prime Minister is suggested by the Japanese Ambassador.
• August 9 - The Atlantic Conference takes place as Roosevelt meets with Churchill at Placentia Bay, Argentia, Newfoundland.
• August 12 - Roosevelt and Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter.
• August 15 - Naval Air Station is established at Palmyra Island and Naval Air Facility at Johnston Island.
• August 16 - Novogrod is captured by the Germans.
• August 17 - Prerequisites for arranging a Pacific conference are givento Japanese Ambassador by Roosevelt and the Secretary of State.
• August 18 - Roosevelt announces that the U.S. is ferrying combat aircraft to the British in the Near East.
• August 25 - Iran invaded by Russia from the north and Britain from the south.
• August 26 - Executive order invokes the Ship Warrants Act.
• August 27 - U.S. shipments to Vladivostok through Japanese waters protested by Japan.
• August 28 - Hostilities in Iran cease. Supply, Priorities and Allocations Board established.
• September 1 - Responsibility for trans-Atlantic convoys from Argentia to meridian of Iceland assume by U.S. Navy. Denmark Strait Patrol designated. Germany orders Jews to wear yellow stars.
• September 3 - The Germans make the first experimental use of gas chambers at Auschwitz.
• September 4 - The destroyer USS Greer (DD-145) is attacked but not damaged while tracking a German U-boat 175 miles southwest of Iceland.
• September 5 - Estonia occupied by the German Army.
• September 7 - German air attack in the Gulf of Suez sinks the U.S. merchant ship Steel Seafarer.
• September 9 - Naval Coast Frontier Forces formed.
• September 11 - U.S. Navy ordered to attack any vessel threatening U.S. shipping or ships under U.S. escort.
• September 12 - Norwegian trawler Buskoe, enroute to establish and service German radio weather stations in Greenland, is seized by the Coast Guard cutter USS Northland (PG-49) in MacKenzie Bay.
• September 15 - Siege of Leningrad begins.
• September 17 - Eastbound British trans-Atlantic convoy escorted for first time by U.S. Navy.
• September 19 - The Germans capture Kiev.
• September 26 - U.S. Navy orders protection of all ships engaged in commerce in U.S. defensive water by patrolling, covering, escorting and by reporting or destroying any German or Italian naval forces encountered.
• September 27 - The USS Patrick Henry, the first Liberty ship, is launched at Baltimore.
• September 29 - The Germans murder 33,771 Jews at Kiev.
• October 1 - Three day conference between U.S., Britain and Russia on aid to Russia concluded in Moscow.
• October 2 - The Germans begin Operation Typhoon, an advance on Moscow.
• October 16 - Russian government moves to Kuibyshev. The Germans capture Odessa.
• October 17 - New Japanese government with General Hideki Tojo as Premier. The destroyer USS Kearny (DD-432) is torpedoed and damaged southwest of Iceland. U.S. Navy orders all U.S. merchantment in Asiatic waters to put in to friendly ports.
• October 19 - A German U-boat torpedoes and sinks the U.S. merchant ship USS Lehigh off of West Africa.
• October 20 - The aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) is commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia.
• October 24 - Kharkov is captured by the Germans.
• October 30 - The oiler USS Salinas (AO-19) is torpedoed 700 miles east of Newfoundland. There are no casualties and the ship makes port. The Germans reach Sevastopol.
• October 31 - The destroyer, USS Ruben James (DD-245) sinks after being torpedoed off of western Iceland. First U.S. Naval vessel lost to enemy action in World War II.
• November 1 - Department of the Navy is given jurisdiction over the Coast Guard for the duration of the national emergency.
• November 3 - German refusal to pay compensation for sinking the Robin Moor is announced by the Secretary of State. The Germans capture Kursk.
• November 6 - The cruiser USS Omaha (CL-4) and the destroyer USS Somers (DD-381) capture the German blockade runner Odenwald disguised as a U.S. ship, the Willmoto.
• November 8 - Naval Operating Base is established at Iceland.
• November 10 - First U.S.-escorted troop convoy, with more than 20,000 British troops, departs Halifax for the Far East.
• November 13 - A German U-boat sinks the British Ark Royal off Gibraltar.
• November 14 - Marines are ordered to leave Shanghai, Peiping and Tientsin, China.
• November 17 - Special Japanese envoy, Subaro Kurusu, meets with the Secretary of State in Washington. A Joint Resolution amends the Neutrality Act of 1939 to allow merchant ships to be armed and enter war zones.
• November 20 - Japan's final proposal for peace in the Pacific presented by Ambassador Nomura.
• November 21 - Lend-Lease extended to Iceland.
• November 22 - Rostov is captured by the Germans.
• November 23 - Under an agreement with the Netherlands, the U.S. occupies Surinam, Dutch Guiana to protect bauxite mines.
• November 25 - Japanese troop transports are sighted off Formosa en route to Malaya. The Germans attack Moscow.
• November 26 - Final proposals for readjustments of U.S.-Japanese relations submitted to Japanese envoys by the Secretary of State.
• November 27 - War Warning message sent to the Commanders of the Pacific and Asiatic Fleets by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral H.R. Stark. The Russians retake Rostov.
• November 30 - U.S. proposals for settling Far Eastern crisis rejected by Japanese Foreign Minister Tojo.
• December 1 - Patrol Wing 9 is commissioned at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
• December 2 - First Naval Armed Guard crew received by U.S. merchant ship Dunboyne.
• December 3 - Sagadahoc, a U.S. merchant vessel, is torpedoed and sunk in southern Atlantic.
• December 5 - U.S. assured that Japanese troop movements in French Indochina are only precautionary. The Germans halt their attack on Moscow.
• December 7 - In a surpise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, a total of 360 Japanese carrier-based aircraft from the Naval Striking Force under Vice Admiral Nagumo sinks four battleships, 1 minelayer and 1 target ship and damage 4 battleships, 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers, 1 seaplane tender and 1 repair ship. U.S. aircraft carriers were not present at Pearl Harbor and escaped the attack. The Navy Yard and Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, the Naval Air Station on Ford Island, the Naval Patrol Plane Station at Kaneohe, the Marine Corps airfield at Ewa and Army airfields at Hickam, Wheeler and Bellows are damaged. Naval and Army aircraft losses totaled 188. U.S. casualties included 2,334 killed or missing and 1,347 wounded. The Japanese lost a total of 28 aircraft, 5 midget submarines and fewer than 100 men. Also, two Japanese destroyers bombard Midway Island. Japanese declaration of war reaches Washington. Roosevelt orders mobilization. Japan declares war on the US. Japan invades Siam and Malaya. Hitler issues the "Night and Fog" decree.
• December 8 - US and Britain declare war on Japan. Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines are bombed by Japanese aircraft. Extensive damage done to US Army aircraft at Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines. Japanese troops land on Bataan Island, north of Luzon in the Philippines and on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. U.S. Marines and nationals at Shanghai and Tientsin, China interned by the Japanese. The minesweeper USS Penguin (AM-33) is sunk by a horizontal bomber at Guam. Striking Force, Asiatic Fleet under Rear Admiral W.A. Glassford departs for Madassar Strait, etherlands East Indies. The USS Wake (PR-3), a river gunboat, surrenders to the Japanese at Shanghai after a failed scuttling attempt. Potomac River Naval Command and Severn River Naval Command are established with Headquarters at Washington and Annapolis, respectively. USS President Harrison, enroute to evacuate Marines from Chingwangtao, China, runs aground at Sha Wai Shan, China and is captured by the Japanese.
• December 9 - Bangkok occupied by the Japanese. Japanese forces land on Tarawa and Makin in the Gilbert Islands. China declares war on Japan, Germany and Italy.
• December 10 - Guam surrenders to Japanese. Japanese forces land on Camiguin Island and on Luzon at Gonzaga and Aparri. Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines is heavily damaged in a Japanese air attack. U.S. vessels damaged include the destroyer USS Peary (DD-226), the submarines USS Seadragon (SS-194) and USS Sealion (SS-195), and the minesweeper USS Bittern (AM-36). A Japanese naval air attack near Kuantan, Malaya sinks the British battleship HMS Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser HMS Repulse. U.S. carrier-based aircraft sink the Japanese submarine I-170 near the Hawaiian Islands. U.S. Army aircraft from the Philippines sink the Japanese minesweeper No. 10 and damage minesweeper No. 19 which is then run aground resulting in a total loss.
• December 11 - Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. The U.S. declares war on Germany and Italy. Japanese landing attempt on Wake island repulsed by U.S. Marines. Two Japanese destroyers, the Hayate and the Kisaragi, are sunk by Marine shore batteries and Marine aircraft, respectively. Japanese forces land on Luzon at Legaspi.
• December 12 - Naval Air Transport Service is established.
• December 13 - The Subic Bay area and airfield in the Philippines are attacked by Japanese planes.
• December 14 - The Wake Island Relief Expedition under Rear Admiral F.J. Fletcher leaves Pearl Harbor.
• December 15 - Patrol Wing 10 leaves the Philippines for the Netherlands East Indies. A Japanese submarine shells Kahului on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. PT-33 is damaged by grounding and sunk by U.S. forces in the Philippines.
• December 16 - Johnston Island is shelled by a Japanese submarine. Rommel begins his retreat to El Agheila in North Africa.
• December 17 - Admiral H.E. Kimmel is relieved as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet by Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who is given rank of Admiral. Vice Admiral W.S. Pye named Acting Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet until Nimitz arrives. Japanese forces land at Miri, Sarawak, Borneo.
• December 18 - First War Powers Act passed by Congress. The U.S. State Department announces that Rear Admiral F.J. Horne and Admiral Robert, the French High Commissioner at Martinique in the French West Indies, have reached an agreement neutralizing French Caribbean possessions. The Japanese Destroyer Shinonome sunk by a mine at Miri, Borneo.
• December 19 - Hitler takes complete command of the German Army.
• December 20 - Admiral E.J. King named Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet. Japanese land at Davao, Mindanao in the Philippines.
• December 21 - Naval local defense forces in the Philippines, under Rear Admiral F.W. Rockwell, move headquarters to Corregidor.
• December 22 - U.S. troops under Brig. General J.F. Barnes arrive at Brisbane, Australia. Roosevelt and Churchill open discussions in Washington that lead to the establishment of Combined Chiefs of Staff. Japanese land in Lingayen Gulf area in the Philippines. Japanese patrol boats No.s 32 and 33 are destroyed by Marine gunfire and deliberately run ashore at Wake Island.
• December 23 - Wake Island surrenders to the Japanese. U.S. Relief Expedition recalled. U.S.-British War Council, composed of Roosevelt, Churchill and Navy, military and civilian advisors meets for first time. A Japanese submarine shells Palmyra Island. Japanese forces land at Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo.
• December 24 - Japanese forces land at Lamon Bay, Luzon in the Philippines.
• December 25 - British surrender Hong Kong. Japanese land at Jolo in the Philippines. USS Sealion (SS-195), damaged on December 10, is sunk by U.S. forces. Admiral Hart turns over remaining naval forces in the Philippines to Rear Admiral Rockwell. Admiral Hart travels by submarine to Java to establish new Asiatic Fleet headquarters. The British recapture Benghazi.
• December 26 - In the Philippines, Manila is declared an open city, but Japanese bombing continues.
• December 29 - Corregidor, in the Philippines, is bombed by Japanese aircraft. USS Canopus (AS-9), a submarine tender, is sunk by a Japanese horizontal bomber in the Philippines.
• December 30 - Admiral King assumes duties as Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.
• December 31 - Japanese submarines shell Kauai, Maui and Hawaii. Admiral Nimitz assumes command of Pacific Fleet.

• January 1 - Admiral R.E. Ingersoll takes command of Atlantic Fleet. Declaration of the United Nations signed by the Allies.
• January 2 - Japanese take Manila and Cavite in the Philippines.
• January 6 - Japanese forces occupy Brunei Bay in Borneo.
• January 7 - Navy's authorized aircraft strength is increased from 15,000 to 27,500.
• January 11 - Japan declares war on the Netherlands. Japanese invasion of Netherlands East Indies with landings at Tarakan and Jesselton in Borneo and Menado and Kema in the Celebes. The carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) is damaged by a torpedo southwest of Oahu. A Japanese submarine shells the Naval Station on Pago Pago, Samoa. The British re-capture Sollum. Kuala Lumpur is captured by the Japanese.
• January 12 - Authorized enlisted strength of the Navy is increased to 500,000.
• January 13 - The Germans begin a U-boat offensive along the US east coast. The Russians recapture Kiev.
• January 15 - American-British-Dutch-Australian Supreme Command is established. Field Marshall Sir Archibald Wavell, British Army, assumes supreme command of all forces in area; Admiral T.C. Hart, USN, has command of naval forces under Field Marshall Wavell.
• January 16 - Office of Production Management is supplanted by War Production Board.
• January 18 - New military pact signed in Berlin by Germany, Italy and Japan.
• January 20 - PT-31 is damaged by grounding and sunk by U.S. forces in the Philippines. USS Edsall (DD-219) and three Australian corvettes sink the Japanese submarine I-124 off of Port Darwin, Australia. SS leader Heydrich holds the Wannsee Conference to coordinate the "final solution of the Jewish question."
• January 21 - U.S. submarine S-36 is sunk by U.S. forces in Makassar Strait, Netherlands East Indies after grounding on January 20. The light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) is damaged by grounding in Sape Strait, Netherlands East Indies. Rommel begins a counteroffensive from El Agheila.
• January 22 - Japanese forces at Subic Bay in the Philippines are reinforced.
• January 23 - Japanese forces land at Balikpapan, Borneo and Kieta, Bougainville in the Solomons and occupy Rabaul and New Britain, also in the Solomons. The oiler USS Neches (AO-5) torpedoed and sunk off Hawaiian Islands by Japanese submarine.
• January 24 - Battle of Makassar Strait (or Balikpapan). Destroyer division composed of USS Parrot (DD-218), USS Pope (DD-225), USS John D. Ford (DD-228) and USS Paul Jones (DD-230) launch a night torpedo attack on the Japanese Borneo invasion convoy - four Japanese transports and a patrol craft are sunk. Japanese landings occur at Kendari in the Celebes, Kavieng, New Ireland and Subic Bay in the Philippines. USS John D. Ford (DD-228) is sunk by naval gunfire in the Netherlands East Indies. U.S. submarine S-26 is sunk after colliding with U.S. submarine chaser PC-460 in the Gulf of Panama.
• January 25 - Midway Island shelled by Japanese submarine.
• January 26 - U.S. Expeditionary Force arrives in Northern Ireland.
• January 27 - The submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197) delivers ammunition and evacuates Naval and Army pilots from Corregidor in the Philippines. The submarine USS Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks the Japanese submarine I-173 in the central Pacific. Naval Air Station established at Puunene, Maui.
• January 28 - Japanese forces land on Rossel Island, off New Guinea. The third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the American Republics concludes in Rio de Janeiro.
• January 29 - Japanese forces land at Badoeng Island and Mampawan in the Celebes. The Coast Guard cutter USS Alexander Hamilton (PG-34) is torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat near Iceland.
• January 31 - Japanese land at Amboina Island in the Netherlands East Indies. Office of Procurement and Material is established, with Vice Admiral S.M. Robinson as Director, in the Office of the Under Secretary of the Navy.
• February 1 - Kwajalein, Wotje, Maloelap, Jaluit and Mili in the Marshalls and Makin in the Gilberts are attacked by two carrier task forces under Vice Admiral W.F. Halsey and Rear Admiral F.J. Fletcher and a bombardment group under Rear Admiral R.A. Spruance (total - 2 aircraft carriers, 5 cruisers and 10 destroyers). Torpedo boats and Army aircraft repulse a Japanese attempt to land on southwest Bataan in the Philippines. U.S. Naval Base is established at Sydney, Australia. Naval Air Stations are established at at St. Lucia in the British West Indies and British Guiana and a Naval Auxiliary Air Facility at Antigua in the British West Indies. The Seventh Naval District is reactivated with headquarters in Key West. USS Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by a suicide bomber and the heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) is damaged by a dive bomber, both during the Marshall-Gilberts raid.
• February 2 - Japanese minesweeper no. 9 is sunk by a mine in the Netherlands East Indies.
• February 3 - Ammunition is delivered to Corregidor by the submarine USS Trout SS-202) which also removes gold, silver, securities and mail. Surabay, Java in the Netherlands East Indies is bombed by the Japanese.
• February 4 - An allied force of 4 cruisers and accompanying destroyers under Rear Admiral Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy, is bombed by Japanese aircraft while attempting to transit the Madoera Strait to attack the Japanese Borneo invasion fleet. Two U.S. cruisers (USS Houston (CA-30) and USS Marblehead (CL-12)) and one Netherlands cruiser are damaged. The submarine USS Seadragon (SS-194) evacuates military personnel and material from Corregidor in the Philippines. Units of the Asiatic Fleet are organized into the Southwest Pacific Force under Vice Admiral Glassford - the Asiatic Fleet under Admiral Hart ceases to exist organizationally, though not formally abolished. Australian-New Zealand naval command is established under Vice Admiral H.F. Leary of the US Navy.
• February 5 - Naval Operating Base is established at Londonderry, Northern Ireland. National Naval Medical Center is established in Bethesda, Maryland.
• February 6 - Japanese reinforcements land at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines. The U.S. and Britain establish the Combined Chiefs of Staff. Naval Coastal Frontiers are redesignated as Eastern, Gulf, Caribbean, Panama, Hawaiian, Northwest, Western and Philippine Sea frontiers.
• February 7 - War Shipping Administration is established. Headquarters of the Naval Forces Southwest Pacific Area is established at Tjilatja, Java, under Vice Admiral Glassford.
• February 8 - Midway shelled by Japanese submarine. Japanese land at Gasmata, New Britain. U.S. submarine S-37 sinks Japanese destroyer Natsushio in Makassar Strait in the Netherlands East Indies.
• February 9 - Japanese land on Singapore Island. Batavia, Surabaya and Malang, Java bombed by Japanese aircraft. Admiral W.H. Standley, USN (retired), is named Ambassador to Russia. Rear Admiral E.S. Land is named Director of War Shipping Administration. The transport USS Lafayette (AP-53), formerly the French liner Normandie, burns at a New York pier.
• February 11 - U.S. troops arrive at Curacao and Aruba in the Netherlands West Indies.
• February 14 - Japanese paratroopers land on Palemban, Sumatra. The submarine USS Sago (SS-188) delivers ammunition to Polloc Harbor, Mindanao in the Philippines and evacuates military personnel. Vice Admiral C.E.L. Helfrich, Royal Netherlands Navy, relieves Admiral Hart as Commander in Chief of Allied Naval Forces Southwest Pacific.
• February 15 - Singapore falls to the Japanese. Japanese forces land on Sumatra in the Netherlands East Indies.
• February 16 - An oil refinery on Aruba in the Netherlands West Indies is shelled by a German submarine U-boat.
• February 17 - 1st Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) arrive at Bora Bora in the Society Islands.
• February 18 - The destroyer USS Truxtun (DD-229) and the stores ship USS Pollux (AKS-2) are sunk by a storm in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
• February 19 - Japanese invade Bali in the Netherlands East Indies. The Battle of Badoeng Strait begins and continues to the 20th. Allied naval force under Rear Admiral Doorman attacks Japanese occupation force retiring through Badoeng Strait from Bali. One Netherlands and one Japanese destroyer are sunk and two Netherlands cruisers and one U.S. destroyer are damaged. The destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) is sunk by a dive bomber during a Japanese bomber raid on the harbor, airfields and shore installations at Darwin, Australia.
• February 20 - The destroyer USS Stewart (DD-224) is damaged by naval gunfire during the Battle of Badoeng Strait. Timbor Island in the Netherlands East Indies invaded by the Japanese. Allied Naval Base at Darwin, Australia is abandoned. The submarine USS Swordfish (SS-193) evacuates President Quezon and other Philippine officials from Luzon. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets are directed to establish Amphibious Forces by Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet.
• February 23 - Oil refinery at Ellwood, California shelled by a Japanese submarine.
• February 24 - Wake Island bombarded by a carrier task force under Vice Admiral Halsey. U.S. High Commissioner F.B. Sayre is evacuated from the Philippines by the submarine USS Swordfish (SS-193).
• February 25 - Responsibility for U.S. port security assumed by Coast Guard.
• February 27 - An Allied Naval Force of 5 cruisers and 11 destroyers under Rear Admiral Doorman attacks a Japanese force covering the Java invasion convoy in the Battle of the Java Sea. Two Netherlands cruisers, 2 British destroyers and a Netherlands destroyer are sunk. The cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and a British cruiser are damaged. The seaplane tender USS Langely (AV-3) is sunk by Japanese horizontal bombers south of Tjilatjap, Java. Joint U.S. Mexican Defense Commission is established.
• February 28 - The submarine USS Permit (SS-178) delivers ammunition to Corregidor and evacuates military personnel. Japanese forces land on the northern coast of Java. The destroyer USS Jacob Jones is torpedoes and sunk by a submarine off the Delaware Capes.
• March 1 - In the Battle of Sunda Strait, Allied vessels heading for Sunda Strait after the Battle of Java Sea are attacked by a superior Japanese surface force. USS Houston CA-30), an Australian cruiser and a Netherlands destroyer are sunk. The Japanese lose four transports. The destroyer USS Pope (DD-225) is sunk by surface gunfire and a dive bomber in the Java Sea. The destroyers USS Edsall (DD-219) and USS Pillsbury (DD-227) are sunk by naval gunfire south of Christmas Island. Naval land-based aircraft (VP-82) sinks the German submarine U-656 south of Newfoundland. American-British-Dutch- Australian Command is dissolved. Base Force, Pacific Fleet, is redesignated Service Force Pacific; Train, Atlantic Fleet, is redesignated Service Force Atlantic.
• March 2 - Japanese landing at Zamboanga, Mindanao in the Philippines. Anti-submarine Warfare Unit, Atlantic Fleet is established at Boston.
• March 3 - The submarine USS Perch (SS-176) is damaged by depth charges and surface gunfire then scuttled by crew in the Java Sea. The gunboat USS Asheville (PG-12) is sunk by naval gunfire south of Java.
• March 4 - Marcus Island bombed by aircraft from Vice Admiral Halsey's carrier task force. Oahu raided by Japanese seaplanes with no damage.
• March 7 - The submarine USS Shark (SS-174) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean area.
• March 8 - Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea invaded by Japanese. Rangoon, Burma occupied by Japanese.
• March 9 - Java surrenders to Japanese. Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-1) is commissioned at Norfolk for operations in the Atlantic.
• March 10 - Finschhafen, New Guinea invaded by Japanese. Japanese shipping at Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea bombed by aircraft from USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5).
• March 11 - General Douglas MacArthur and Rear Admiral Rockwell evacuate Luzon and travel by motor torpedo boat to Mindanao.
• March 12 - U.S. forces arrive in New Caledonia to establish a base at Noumea. Roosevelt combines the duties of Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations by executive order.
• March 13 - PT-32 is scuttled in Philippines.
• March 14 - Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet is established under Rear Admiral R.M Brainard.
• March 15 - Coast Guard tender USS Acacia (AGL-200) sunk by German U-boat south of Haiti. German submarine U-503 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-82) in the North Atlantic.
• March 17 - The U.S., in agreement with Allied governments, assumes responsibility for the strategic defense of the entire Pacific Ocean. U.S. Naval Forces Europe is established.
• March 18 - A naval force of two battleships, a carrier, two cruisers and eight destroyers under Rear Admiral J.W. Wilcox is ordered to Britain to join the British Home Fleet.
• March 20 - The battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) is commissioned in New York City.
• March 23 - Japanese forces occupy the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
• March 26 - Admiral Stark relieved as Chief of Naval Operations by Admiral King who is also now Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet. operational control of certain Army Air Force units given to Commander Eastern Sea Frontier for anti-submarine patrol duty in the Atlantic. The miscellaneous auxiliary USS Atik is torpedoed and sunk by a submarine.
• March 29 - Marines arrive at Efate in the New Hebrides.
• March 30 - Japanese forces occupy Christmas Island. Joint Chiefs of Staff order the Pacific Ocean divided into two commands: the Pacific Ocean Areas under Admiral Nimitz and the Southwest Pacific Area under General MacArthur. Pacific War Council representing the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands and China is established in Washington to plan war policy.
• March 31 - Rear Admiral J.B. Oldendorf name Commander of All Forces Aruba and Curacao, Netherlands West Indies.
• April - Japanese-Americans in the US sent to relocation centers.
• April 1 - Buka Island in the Solomons is occupied by the Japanese. Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-2) is commissioned at Alameda, California.
• April 3 - Admiral Nimitz, Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, is name Commander in Chief Pacific Ocean Areas.
• April 5 - The submarine USS Snapper (SS-185) delivers food to Corregidor and evacuates military personnel. The Japanese occupy Lorengau, Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands.
• April 7 - U.S. Naval patrol aircraft for operations in the south Atlantic arrive in Natal, Brazil.
• April 8 - The submarine USS Seadragon (SS-194) delivers food to Corregidor and evacuates military personnel. The minesweeper USS Bittern (AM-36) is sunk by U.S. forces after being damaged on December 10, 1941. Hydrographic Office and Naval Observatory are transferred from the Bureau of Navigation to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
• April 9 - US-Philippine forces on Bataan surrender to the Japanese. PT-34 is sunk by a Japanese horizontal bomber in the Philippines.
• April 10 - Japanese forces land on Cebu in the Philippines. The submarine tender USS Canopus (AS-9) is scuttled off Mariveles Bay in the Philippines and the minesweeper USS Finch (AM-9) is sunk by a Japanese horizontal bomber in the Philippines. Pacific Fleet is reorganized into type commands: battleships under Rear Admiral W.S. Anderson, carriers under Vice Admiral Halsey, cruisers under Rear Admiral Fletcher, destroyers under Rear Admiral R.A. Theobald, Service Force under Vice Admiral W.L. Calhoun, Amphibious Force under Vice Admiral W. Brown, submarines under Rear Admiral T. Whiters and patrol wings under Rear Admiral H.S. McCain.
• April 12 - PT-35 is scuttled in the Philippines.
• April 14 - The destroyer USS Roper (DD-147) sinks the German submarine U-85 off Virginia.
• April 15 - PT-41 is scuttled in the Philippines. Submarine bases established at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor in Alaska. Naval Air Station is established at Barbers Point on Oahu.
• April 18 - Doolittle Raid. Sixteen Army B-25s are launched from the USS Hornet (CV-8) over 650 miles east of Honshu, Japan. The bombers hit Tokyo, Yokosuka, Yokohoma, Kobe and Nagoya. Oil installations at Curacao in the Netherlands West Indies shelled by German U-boat.
• April 20 - Forty-seven British Spitfires are launched for Malta from the USS Wasp (CV-7) in the Mediterranean.
• April 23 - Germany begins air raids against Britain's cathedral cities.
• April 26 - The destroyer USS Sturtevant (DD-240) sunk by a mine off Marquesas Key, Florida.
• April 28 - US Escort Force under Rear Admiral R.C. Giffen departs Scapa Flow, Scotland to protect convoys to Russia.
• April 29 - Japanese seize Parang and Cotabato, Mindanao in the Philippines. First coastal convoy leaves New York for the Delaware River.
• April 30 - Military and civilian personnel evacuated from Corregidor by two naval patrol planes. The battleship USS Indiana (BB-58) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia. Admiral Stark assumes command of US Naval Forces Europe.
• May 1 - Admiral Leahy ends service as Ambassador to France. US Naval Base and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility established at Great Exuma in the Bahamas. US Naval Base established at Grand Cayman in the British West Indies.
• May 2 - Japanese forces land on Florida Island in the Solomons. The submarine USS Drum (SS-228) sinks the Japanese seaplane tender Misuho off southeastern Honshu.
• May 3 - Military personnel evacuated from Corregidor by the submarine USS Spearfish (SS-190).
• May 4 - Battle of the Coral Sea. Battle begins with US carrier-based aircraft striking on Tulagi in the Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Kikizuki is sunk during the battle. Admiral King directs Coast Guard Auxiliary to organize civilian small craft as coastal pickets. The minesweeper USS Tanager (AM-5) is sunk by coastal defense guns off Corregidor.
• May 5 - Battle of the Coral Sea. Allied force refuels and changes course to intercept Japanese Port Moresby Invasion Group. Japanese forces land on Corregidor. The river gunboat USS Mindanao (PR-8) and submarine rescue vessel USS Pigeon (ASR-9) are sunk by Japanese horizontal bombers in the hilippines. The tugs USS Genesee (ATO-55) and USS Vaga (YT-116) are scuttled in the Philippines.
• May 6 - Battle of the Coral Sea. Allied force steaming on course to intercept Japanese Port Moresby Invasion Group. Corregidor and Manila Bay forts surrender to the Japanese. The river gunboats USS Oahu (PR-6) and USS Luzon (PR-7) and minesweeper USS Quail (AM-15) are scuttled in the Philippines. Naval Auxiliary Air Facility established at Nawiliwili, Kauai in Hawaii. The British capture Madagascar.
• May 7 - Battle of the Coral Sea. Allied force turns north to engage the Japanese attack group. Support Group under Rear Admiral Crace, RN, is detached to intercept Japanese Port Moresby Invasion Group. Crace's ships are attacked by Japanese torpedo bombers and land-based bombers and mistakenly attacked by US Army B-26s. The destroyer USS Sims (DD-409) is sunk and the oiler USS Neosho (AO-23) is damaged. US carrier aircraft attack the Japanese support group and sink the aircraft carrier Shoho. Japanese occupy Hollandia, New Guinea.
• May 8 - Battle of the Coral Sea. Search aircraft from the carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) sight the Japanese carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku. Shokaku is damaged and forced to retire by aircraft from US carriers. Simultaneously, Japanese carrier aircraft strikes damaged the carriers USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Lexington (CV-2). Lexington was so badly damaged the she was sunk by the destroyer USS Phelps (DD-360). The Germans begin their summer offensive in the Crimea.
• May 9 - Forty-even British Spitfires launched for Malta from the carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) in the Mediterranean. The Coast Guard cutter USS Icarus (PC-119) sinks the German submarine U-356 off of South Carolina.
• May 11 - The Japanese minelayer Okinoshima is sunk by US submarine S-42, north of the Solomons.
• May 12 - The battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-59) is commissioned in Boston.
• May 13 - The French agree to mobilize three French warships at Martinique in the French West Indies. The Bureau of Navigation is renamed the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
• May 14 - Minefield laid off St. John's, Newfoundland by a German U-boat.
• May 17 - Japanese submarines are sunk by US submarines USS Tautog (SS-199) off the Caroline Islands and USS Triton (SS-201) southeast of Kyushu, Japan.
• May 18 - Office of Naval Inspector General is established.
• May 20 - Air Force, South Pacific Area is established under Rear Admiral J.S. McCain.
• May 21 - North Pacific Force under Rear Admiral Theobald is established for operations in the Alaska Sector.
• May 22 - Mexico declares war on Germany, Italy and Japan.
• May 25 - The destroyer USS Blakeley (DD-150) is damaged by a submarine torpedo off of Martinique in the French West Indies. The submarine USS Salmon (SS-182) sinks the Japanese repair ship Asahi in the South China Sea.
• May 26 - Rommel begins an offensive against the Gazala Line.
• May 27 - Wallis Island, in the south Pacific Ocean, is occupied by US Marines and Seabees. The destroyer tender USS Prairie (AD-15) and the gunboat USS Spry (PG-64) are damaged by fire in Argentia, Newfoundland. SS leader Heydrich is attacked in Prague.
• May 28 - US forces arrive at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. The Russians are defeated by the Germans at Kharkov.
• May 30 - The first British 1000 bomber air raid hits Cologne, Germany.
• May 31 - Sydney harbor in Australia is raided by Japanese midget submarines.
• June - Germans begin mass gassing of Jews at Auschwitz.
• June 2 - Two US carrier task forces, under Rear Admirals Fletcher and Spruance, rendezvous 350 miles northeast of Midway Island.
• June 3 - Midway-based aircraft locate and attack transports of Admiral Yamamoto's Japanese Combined Fleet, about 600 miles west of Midway. Dutch Harbor, Alaska bombed by Japanese carrier-based planes. The coastal minesweeper USS Bunting (ACM-7) is sunk by collision in San Francisco Bay.
• June 4 - Battle of Midway. Aircraft from four Japanese carriers strike installations on Midway, defended by Marine and Army aircraft. Aircraft launched from the carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) strike the four Japanese carriers, sinking Kaga and, with help from the submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168), Soryu. Yorktown is disabled by Japanese aircraft. Admiral Yamamoto abandons Midway plans and retires westward. SS leader Heydrich dies of wounds received in Prague.
• June 5 - Germans besiege Sevastopol.
• June 6 - Battle of Midway. Rear Admiral Spruance's Carrier Task Force pursues the Japanese fleet westward. The Japanese carriers Akagi and Hiryu are damaged by US carrier-based planes. Both are sunk by the Japanese.
• June 6 - Battle of Midway. Aircraft from the carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8) attack the retiring Japanese fleet. The Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma is sunk. The US fleet recovers its aircraft and changes course eastward to refuel, breaking contact with the Japanese. The destroyer USS Hamman (DD-412) is torpedoed and sunk by a submarine during the battle.
• June 7 - Kiska and Attu in the Aleutians are occupied by the Japanese. USS Yorktown (CV-5) is sunk by a submarine torpedo as she retired, damaged, from the Battle of Midway. The seaplane tender (small) USS Gannet (AVP-8) is torpedoed and sunk by a submarine off of Bermuda. Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, Sea Frontiers and Special Task Forces are placed directly under the Commander in Chief US Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations. Naval Local Defense Forces, Naval Transportation Service, Special Duty Ships and Naval District Craft are placed under the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
• June 9 - Naval Operating Base is established at Kodiak, Alaska.
• June 10 - In retaliation for the assassination of Heydrich, the Germans liquidate the town of Lidice.
• June 11 - Mines are laid off of Boston and Delaware Bay by German U-boats.
• June 12 - Mines are laid off Cape Henry, Virginia by German U-boats.
• June 13 - Four German agents are put ashore from a U-boat at Amagansett, Long Island. The landings are detected by the Coast Guard and the agents captured by the FBI. The German submarine U-157 is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter USS Thetis (PC-115) north of Cuba.
• June 14 - First echelon of the First Marine Division under Major General Vandegrift arrives at Wellington, New Zealand.
• June 17 - Four German agents landing via U-boat at Ponte Vedra Beach, south of Jacksonville, Florida, are discovered by fishermen and captured by the FBI.
• June 18 - US Naval Air Facility is established at La Fe, Cuba.
• June 19 - Vice Admiral R.L. Ghormley assumes command of South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force with headquarters at Auckland, New Zealand. US submarine S-27 is grounded and abandoned at Amchitka in the Aleutians.
• June 20 - Estevan Point on Vancouver Island in British Columbia is shelled by a Japanese submarine.
• June 21 - Fort Stevens, Oregon shelled by a Japanese submarine. Rommel captures Tobruk.
• June 25 - US Army establishes the European Theater of Operations under Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Roosevelt and Churchill conclude a conference in Washington, reaching a decision for joint research and development of the atomic bomb. The Japanese destroyer Yamakaze is sunk by the submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) off Honshu.
• June 26 - Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare off the US Atlantic coast. US Naval Auxiliary Station (Lighter-than-air) is established at San Julian, Cuba.
• June 30 - US coastal minesweeper USS Hornbill (AMC-13) sunk by collision in San Francisco Bay. The German submarine U-158 is sunk in the western Atlantic by Naval land-based aircraft (VP-74). Rommel reaches El Alamein, near Cairo, Egypt.
• July 1-30 - First Battle of El Alamein.
• July 3 - The Germans capture Sevastopol.
• July 4 - US Army bombers raid western Europe for the first time. The submarine USS Triton (SS-201) sinks the Japanese destroyer Nenohi off Agattu in the Aleutians.
• July 5 - The Japanese Destroyer Arare is sunk by the submarine USS Growler (SS-215) off of Kiska in the Aleutians. Russian resistance in the Crimea ends.
• July 7 - US Naval Air Facility is established at Reykjavik, Iceland. The German submarine U-701 is sunk by Army aircraft off of North Carolina.
• July 9 - The Germans begin a drive to Stalingrad.
• July 13 - US Naval Air Facility is established at Grand Cayman in the British West Indies. The German submarine U-153 is damaged by the submarine chaser PC-458 and Army aircraft off the coast of Panama and sunk by the destroyer USS Landsdowne (DD-486).
• July 15 - Submarine Base is established at Midway Island. Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR-3) is established at Kansas City, Kansas for operations in the US. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 25 and 27 are sunk by the submarine USS Grunion (SS-216) off of Kiska in the Aleutians. The German submarine U-576 is sunk by Naval land-based aircraft (VS-9) and the US merchant vessel Unicoi off of North Carolina.
• July 16 - Advanced Group, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet under Rear Admiral A. C. Bennett is established to conduct amphibious training in Great Britain.
• July 18 - Amphibious Force, South Pacific Area is established under Rear Admiral R.K. Turner.
• July 20 - Naval Operating Base and Naval Air Facility are established at Dutch Harbor in Alaska. Admiral W.D. Leahy reports to Roosevelt as Chief of Staff.
• July 21 - Buna, New Guinea occupied by the Japanese.
• July 22 - First deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto to concentration camps take place. The Treblinka extermination camp opens.
• July 24 - The Mississippi River Passes mined by a German submarine.
• July 27 - Army-Navy Petroleum Board is established.
• July 30 - Women's Naval Reserve is established.
• July 31 - A German submarine lays mines off Charleston, South Carolina.
• August 1 - US Naval Base at Galapagos Islands, US Naval Station at Tobago Island in the Canal Zone and the US Naval Auxiliary Air Facility and US Motor Torpedo Boat Base in Salinas, Ecuador are established. The German U-166 is sunk by Coast Guard aircraft in the Gulf of Mexico.
• August 4 - The Destroyer USS Tucker (DD-374) is sunk in a US minefield in Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides.
• August 7 - The first US land offensive in the Pacific see Marines land at Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo and Guadalcanal in the Solomons. The landings are put ashore by Amphibious Force, South Pacific and supported by carrier and land-based aircraft and naval surface forces. The destroyer USS Mugford is damaged by a torpedo bomber in the Solomons. A Naval cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Smith bombards Kiska in the Aleutians. British General Bernard Montgomery takes command of the Eighth Army in North Africa.
• August 8 - US Marines capture Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo in the Solomons and capture an unfinished air strip on Guadal Canal, renaming it Henderson Field.
• In the Solomons, the transport USS George F. Elliot (AP-13) is damaged by suicide bombers and sunk by US forces and the destroyer USS Jarvis (DD-393) is damaged by aircraft torpedoes. A German submarine lays mines off mouth of the St. Johns River, east of Jacksonville, Florida.
• August 9 - Battle of Savo Island. A Japanese force of seven cruisers and a destroyer approaches undetected west of Savo Island in the Solomons, and sinks the heavy cruisers USS Astoria (CA-34), USS Quincy (CA-39), USS Vincennes (CA-44) and the Australian Canberra. The Japanese force also damaged the cruiser USS Chicago (CA-29) and the destroyers USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390) and USS Patterson (DD-392) before retiring. Allied ships depart, leaving Japanese forces temporarily in control of the Guadalcanal area.
• August 10 - The Japanese heavy cruiser Kako is sunk by the submarine S-44 near Kavieng, New Ireland.
• August 12 - Churchill meets with Stalin in Moscow.
• August 14 - Lt. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commanding General, European Theater of Operations, is appointed Commander in Chief of Allied Expeditionary Forces. Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, RN, is appointed Allied Naval Commander. The submarine S-39 strikes a submerged reef off of Rossel Island in the Louisade Archipelago and abandoned on August 16.
• August 15 - Patrol Wing 11 is commissioned at San Juan, Puerto Rico for operations in the Caribbean Sea Frontier. Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, Washington, and the Naval Auxiliary Air Facility on Jamaica are established. Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific is established in San Diego.
• August 16 - The battleship USS Alabama (BB-60) is commissioned at Portsmouth, Virginia. The submarine USS Grunieon (SS-216) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean area.
• August 17 - The Second Raider Battalion, USMC, transported by submarines USS Nautilus (SS-168) and USS Argonaut (APS-1), raids Makin Island in the Gilberts. Nautilus' gunfire supports the Marines ashore. The first all-American air raid takes place.
• August 20 - Thirty-one USMC aircraft delivered to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal by the aircraft escort vessel USS Long Island (AVG-1). The German submarine U-464 is sunk by Naval land-based aircraft (VP-73) in the north Atlantic.
• August 22 - Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. The destroyer USS Blue (DD-387) is damaged by torpedoes in the Solomons and scuttled on the 23rd. The destroyer USS Ingram (DD-444) is sunk by a collision with the oiler USS Chemung (AO-30) off of Nova Scotia. The destroyer USS Buck (DD-420) is damaged by a collision with a merchant vessel off of Nova Scotia. The German submarine U-654 is sunk by Army aircraft north of Panama.
• August 23 - Germans stage a massive air raid on Stalingrad.
• August 24 - Battle of the Eastern Solomons. Naval carrier-based aircraft supported by Marine and Army aircraft turn back a major Japanese attempt to recapture Guadalcanal and Tulagi. The carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by a dive bomber and the Japanese carrier Ryujo is sunk by US carrier-based aircraft.
• August 25 - Battle of Eastern Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Muzuki is sunk off Santa Isabel by Army aircraft. Nauru in the Gilberts and Goodenough Island off the southeast coast of New Guinea are occupied by the Japanese.
• August 26 - Japanese forces land at Milne Bay in New Guinea. Army aircraft attack beaches and transports. Ocean Island occupied by Japanese.
• August 28 - USMC dive bombers sink the Japanese destroyer Asagiri off of Santa Isabel, damage two others and prevent Japanese reinforcements from landing on Guadalcanal. The Japanese submarine I-123 is sunk by the light minelayer USS Gamble (DM-15) near Guadalcanal. The German submarine U-94 is sunk by Naval land-based aircraft (VP-92) and HMCS Oakville in the Caribbean.
• August 29 - The transport USS William Ward Burrows (AP-6) is grounded in the Solomons.
• August 30 - US Naval and Army forces occupy Adad in the Aleutians for an air and naval base. The high speed transport USS Calhoun (APD-2) is sunk by a Japanese horizontal bomber in the Solomons.
• August 31 - The carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) is damaged by a submarine torpedo 260 miles southeast of Guadalcanal. The Japanese submarine RO-61 is sunk by the destroyer USS Reid (DD-369) and Naval land-based aircraft (VP-43) in the Aleutians.
• September 1 - Seabees arrive at Guadalcanal, the first to serve in an action area. Air Force, Pacific Fleet is established under Vice Admiral A.W. Fitch. Japanese Prime Minister Tojo also becomes Foreign Minister as Shigenori Togo resigns.
• September 2 - Montgomery drives Rommel back at the Battle of Alam Halfa.
• September 5 - High speed transports USS Gregory (APD-3) and USS Little (APD-4) are sunk by surface ship gunfire in the Solomons.
• September 6 - The battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) is damaged by hitting a coral reef in Lahai Passage, Tonga Islands.
• September 7 - US and Cuba conclude an agreement for naval and military cooperation.
• September 10 - The mouth of Chesapeake Bay is mined by a German U-boat.
• September 11 - The Japanese destroyer Yayoi is sunk by US Army and British aircraft off Normamby Island near New Guinea.
• September 12 - German aircraft and U-boats launch a sustained 10-day attack against a large Allied convoy to northern Russia. US Navy is given operational control of the Brazilian Navy.
• September 13 - The Battle of Stalingrad begins.
• September 15 - The carrier task force under Rear Admiral Noyes covering the transport of reinforcement from Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides to Guadalcanal is attacked by two Japanese submarines. The carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) is damaged by a torpedo and sunk by US forces. Also damaged are the battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55) and the destroyer USS O'Brien (DD-415). Guadalcanal is bombarded by Japanese battleships.
• September 16 - Attu in the Aleutians is evacuated by the Japanese. Vice Admiral Ingam's command, formerly Task Force 23, is designated South Atlantic Force, Atlantic Fleet. Patrol Wing 12 at Key West is commissioned for operations in the Gulf Sea Frontier.
• September 18 - The Seventh Marine Regiment reinforces Guadalcanal. A German U-boat lays mines off Charleston, South Carolina.
• September 20 - US Naval Operating Base is established at Auckland, New Zealand.
• September 24 - Japanese forces land on Maiana in the Gilberts.
• September 25 - Japanese forces land on Beru in the Gilberts.
• September 27 - Japanese forces land on Kuria in the Gilberts. The German raider Schiff No.23 (Stier) is sunk after being damaged by US merchant vessel USS Stephen Hopkins in the South Atlantic.
• September 28 - Army aircraft sink the Japanese submarine RO-65 near Kiska in the Aleutians.
• September 29 - The cargo ship USS Alena (AK-26) is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the Solomons.
• September 30 - The heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) and the destroyer USS Breese (DD-122) are damaged in a collision in the New Hebrides.
• October 1 - Advanced Group, Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet becomes Amphibious Forces, Europe under the Commander US Naval Forces Europe Admiral H.R. Stark.
• October 2 - US Marines occupy Funafuti in the Ellice Islands. The German submarine U-512 is sunk by army aircraft off of French Guiana.
• October 5 - Faisi and the Buin-Tonolei area of Bougainville in the Solomons is bombed by carrier-based aircraft.
• October 11 - Battle of Savo Island. Surface forces under Rear Admiral Scott attack Japanese cruisers and destroyers headed for Guadalcanal. The cruisers USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) and USS Boise (CL-47) and the destroyers USS Duncan (DD-485) and USS Farenholt (DD-491) are damaged by naval gunfire. The Japanese destroyer Fubuki is sunk and two Japanese cruisers and another destroyer are damaged.
• October 12 - Battle of Savo Island. The destroyer USS Duncan (DD-485) is sunk by naval gunfire. The Japanese cruiser Furutaka and destroyers Natsugumo and Murakumo are sunk by Naval and Marine aircraft.
• October 13 - The 164th Infantry Regiment of the US Army Americal Division reinforces the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal.
• October 14 - Guadalcanal is bombarded by Japanese cruisers and battleships. The Japanese destroyer screen is engaged by motor torpedo boats.
• October 15 - The destroyer USS Meredith (DD-434) is sunk by an aircraft torpedo off San Cristobal in the Solomons. US Submarine base is established at Fremantle-Perth in Australia. Patrol Wing 14, for operations in Western Sea Frontier, is established at San Diego.
• October 16 - The carrier task force under Rear Admiral Murray strikes Japanese troops on Guadalcanal and Japanese seaplanes at Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel in the Solomons. The seaplane tender USS McFarland (AVD-14) is damaged by dive bombers in the Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Oboro is sunk by Army aircraft in the Aleutians.
• October 18 - Vice Admiral Ghormley relieved as Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force by Admiral Halsey. Hitler orders the execution of all British commandos taken prisoner.
• October 19 - The destroyer USS O'Brien (DD-415), enroute to the US for battle repairs, breaks in two and sinks off of Samoa. The submarine USS Gar (SS-206) lays mines in the northern Gulf of Siam.
• October 20 - The heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) is damaged by a submarine torpedo between San Cristobal in the Solomons and Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides.
• October 21 - The destroyer USS Grayson (DD-435) is damaged in a collision in the Solomons.
• October 22 - Naval Air Facility is established at Otter Point, Alaska.
• October 23 - Second Battle of El Alamien begins.
• October 25 - The submarine USS Whale (SS-239) lays mines at the entrance to the Inland Sea off Honshu, Japan. The Submarine USS Amberjack (SS-219) lands Army personnel and supplies at Tulagi in the Solomons. The tug USS Seminole (AT-65) is sunk by naval gunfire off of Guadalcanal. The destroyer USS Hughes (DD-410) is accidentally damaged by friendly fire in the Solomons. The high-speed minesweeper USS Zane (DMS-14) is damaged by naval gunfire in the Sealark Channel off of Guadalcanal. The Japanese light cruiser Yura is damaged by US aircraft off of Santa Isabel in the Solomons and scuttled.
• October 26 - Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. The carrier task forces under Rear Admirals Kinkaid and Murray close with a numerically superior Japanese force. Heavy damage is inflicted on US forces, but immediate Japanese movement towards Guadalcanal is checked. US vessels damaged include the carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8), the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57), the light cruiser USS San Juan (CL-54) and the destroyers USS Porter (DD-356), USS Smith (DD-378) and USS Hughes (DD-410). Porter was then scuttled. The Battle of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal ends as Marines repulse Japanese land and air attacks.
• October 27 - The carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) is sunk by dive bombers, torpedo bombers and destroyer torpedoes in the Solomons. The battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) and the destroyer USS Mahan (DD-365) are damaged in a collision in the Solomons.
• October 29 - The submarine USS Grenadier (SS-210) lays mines in the Tonkin Gulf, off of French Indochina.
• October 30 - Japanese positions at Point Cruz on Guadalcanal are bombarded by a cruiser and destroyer force. Attu in the Aleutians is invaded by a second Japanese force.
• November 1 - Patrol Wings are redesignated Fleet Air Wings. The Allies break the Axis lines at El Alamien during Operation Supercharge.
• November 2 - The submarines USS Tambor (SS-198) and USS Tautog (SS-199) lay mines in the Tonkin Gulf and south of Cape Padaran, French Indochina, respectively. Fleet Air Wing 6 is commissioned at Seattle for multi-engine aircraft training.
• November 4 - Japanese positions near Koli Point on Guadalcanal are bombarded by US cruisers and destroyers.
• November 5 - The German submarine U-408 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) off of Iceland.
• November 6 - The transport USS Zeilin (AP-9) is damaged by a dive bomber in the Solomons.
• November 7 - Two Japanese destroyers off of Guadalcanal are damaged by aircraft from Henderson Field. The transport USS Thomas Stone is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the western Mediterranean. Army aircraft sink the Italian submarine Antonio Sciesa off the coast of Libya.
• November 8 - Operation Torch. The Allied Expeditionary Force, under General Eisenhower, lands at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers. The battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-59), heavy cruiser USS Wichita (CA-45), destroyers USS Ludlow (DD-438) and USS Murphy (DD-603) and high speed minesweeper USS Palmer (DMS-5) are damaged by gunfire from coastal defense guns during the landings. The high speed minesweeper USS Stansbury (DMS-8) is damaged by a mine and the transport USS Leedstown (AP-73) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo, both off of North Africa. Motor torpedo boats damage Japanese destroyer by torpedo attack, off Guadalcanal.
• November 9 - The transport USS Leedstown (AP-73) is sunk by submarine and aircraft torpedoes and horizontal bomber near Algiers.
• November 10 - Oran surrenders to Allied forces. US Naval vessels and carrier aircraft engage French Naval forces at Casablanca. A German U-boat lays mines off of New York. The Japanese submarine I-72 is sunk by the high speed mine sweeper USS Southard (DMS-10) in the Solomons. US Naval Station is established at Puerto Castillo, Honduras.
• November 11 - Casablanca surrenders to Allied forces. The Allied-French armistice is signed. US Naval Operating Base is established at Oran. German troops occupy France south to the Mediterranean. Italian troops land on Corsica and move into France. The transport USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50) is sunk and the destroyer USS Hambleton (DD-455) and the oiler USS Winooki (AO-38) are damaged by submarine torpedoes at Fedala Roads, North Africa.
• November 12 - Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Japanese aircraft attack the US transports, protected by air and surface forces, unloading troops in Lunga Roads, Guadalcanal. The heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) and the destroyer USS Buchanan (DD-484) are damaged. The transports USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP-43) and USS Edward Rutledge (AP-52) are torpedoed and sunk off Morocco. The gunboat USS Erie (PG-50) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Caribbean. The Japanese submarine I-22 is sunk by PT-122 southwest of New Guinea. US Naval Operating Base is established at Casablanca.
• November 13 - Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. The Landing Support Group under Rear Admiral Callaghan encounters a Japanese raiding group, including two battleships, steaming to bombard Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. A devastating naval battle ensues in the darkness. Heavy damage is inflicted on US forces before the Japanese raiding group retires northward. The carrier force under Rear Admiral Kinkaid arrives close to the battle area and launches air search and attacks against the Japanese. US vessels sunk include the light cruisers USS Atlanta (CL-51) and USS Juneau (CL-52) and the destroyers USS Cushing (DD-376), USS Monssen (DD-436) and USS Laffey (DD-459). Other US vessels damaged include the heavy cruiser USS Portland (CA-33), light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50), and the destroyers USS Sterett (DD-407), USS O'Bannon (DD-450) and USS Aaron Ward (DD-483). The Japanese lost the battleship Hiei and the destroyers Akatsuki and Yudachi.
• November 14 - Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese cruisers and destroyers engaged in night bombardment of Henderson Field. When this force retires, it's struck by Marine and Naval aircraft from Henderson Field and the carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). The same aircraft sink seven Japanese transports during the afternoon. Then, beginning shortly before midnight and continuing on the fifteenth, a battleship force under Rear Admiral Lee, composed of 2 battleships and 3 destroyers, turns back a large Japanese Naval Group. The destroyers USS Preston (DD-379) and USS Walke (DD-416) are sunk. The Japanese lose the heavy cruiser Kinugasa.
• November 15 - 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. The destroyer USS Henham (DD-397) was damaged by a torpedo and scuttled. The battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) and the destroyer USS Gwin (DD-433) are damaged by naval gunfire. The Japanese lose the battleship Kirishima and the destroyer Ayanami, both to naval gunfire. Off of North Africa, the cargo ships USS Electra (AK-21) and USS Almaack (AK-27) are torpedoed and sunk by submarines.
• November 16 - US forces land south of Buna on New Guinea. The German submarine U-173 is sunk by the destroyers USS Woolsey (DD-437), USS Swanson (DD-443) and USS Quick (DD-490) off of Casablanca.
• November 17 - Naval Air Station is established at De Land, Florida.
• November 19 - Russians begin a counter-offensive at Stalingrad.
• November 24 - Japanese forces land at Munda Point, New Georgia in the Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Hayashio is sunk by Army aircraft off Lae, New Guinea. The transport USS Thomas Stone (AP-59) is damaged by a horizontal bomber off North Africa.
• November 25 - The transport USS Thomas Stone (AP-59) is damaged by grounding, beached and abandoned, North Africa.
• November 27 - French Fleet at Toulon is scuttled.
• November 28 - The cargo ship USS Alchiba (AK-23) is damaged by a submarine torpedo at Lunga Point, Guadalcanal.
• November 30 - Battle of Tassafaronga. A US cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Wright engages Japanese destroyers under Rear Admiral Tanaka off Tassafaronga Point, Guadalcanal. The heavy cruisers USS Pensacola (CA-24), USS Northampton (CA-26), USS New Orleans (CA-32) and USS Minneapolis (CA-36) are damaged by torpedoes. The Japanese destroyer Takanami is sunk.
• December 1 - The heavy cruiser USS Northampton (CA-26) sinks as a result of torpedo damage received on November 29th. Fleet Air Wing 15 is commissioned at Norfolk for service at Port Lyautey, French Morocco.
• December 2 - Naval Operating Base and Naval Air Facility are established at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Professor Enrico Fermi sets up an atomic reactor in Chicago.
• December 3 - Japanese destroyers, enroute to Guadalcanal are attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field. One destroyer is damaged.
• December 5 - The ocean tug USS Grebe (ATO-134) is grounded and sunk south of Fiji Island.
• December 7 - Japanese destroyers, carrying reinforcements to Guadalcanal, are attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field; two destroyers are damaged.
• December 8 - Motor torpedo boats attack and turn back Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce Guadalcanal.
• December 9 - Aircraft from Henderson Field begin what becomes virtually daily attacks on Japanese installations at Munda Point, New Georgia in the Solomons. The Japanese submarine I-3 is sunk by PY-59 off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal. Major General A.M. Patch relieves Major General A.A. Vandegrift as commander of Army and Marine troops on Guadalcanal.
• December 10 - The German submarine U-611 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) in the north Atlantic.
• December 11 - Naval aircraft from Henderson Field attack Japanese destroyers north of New Georgia in the Solomons.
• December 12 - Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese destroyers off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal. For the loss of PT-44, they sink the destroyer Terutsuki.
• December 13 - Rommel withdraws from El Alamien.
• December 14 - The submarine USS Sunfish (SS-281)lays mines in the entrance to Iseno Umi, Japan. Fleet Air Command is established at Noumea, New Caledonia.
• December 15 - The German submarine U-626 is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter USS Ingham (PC-35) in the North Atlantic.
• December 16 - The Japanese submarine I-15 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VS-55) in the Solomons. The Russians defeat the Italians on the River Don.
• December 17 - The submarines USS Drum (SS-228) and USS Sunfish (SS-281) lay mines in Japanese home waters. The Coast Guard converted trawler Natsek (PG-170) founders and sinks in Belle Isle Strait off Newfoundland. British Foreign Secretary Eden tells the House of Commons of the mass executions of Jews by the Nazis. The US declares those crimes will be avenged.
• December 18 - The submarine USS Albacore (SS-218) sinks the Japanese light cruiser Tenryuin the Bismark Sea.
• December 20 - The submarine USS Seadragon (SS-194) sinks the Japanese submarine I-4 in near New Britain. The submarine USS Trigger (SS-237) lays mines in Japanese home waters. The gunboat USS Tulsa (PG-22) is damaged by grounding in the eastern New Guinea area.
• December 22 - Japanese patrol boat No.35 is sunk by the submarine USS Greenling (SS-213) in the Solomons.
• December 24 - Aircraft from Henderson Field heavily attack Japanese troop-laden barges. In the North Africa area, the transports USS Florence Nightingale (AP-70) and USS Thurston (AP-77) collide and sink.
• December 26 - Naval aircraft attack Japanese transports at Wickham Anchorage in New Georgia. The strike is repeated on the 27th.
• December 29 - The high speed minesweeper USS Wasmuth (DMS-15) is sunk by the explosion of two of her own depth charges, during a gale in the Aleutians.
• December 30 - The submarine USS Searaven (SS-196) lands agents on the southern coast of Ceram Island in the Netherlands East Indies.
• December 31 - The carrier USS Essex (CV-9) is commissioned at Portsmouth, Virginia. British and German ships fight the Battle of the Barents Sea.

• January 1 - The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) evacuates 29 civilians from Teop Island in the Solomons. The salvage vessel USS Rescuer (ARS-18) is grounded and sunk in the Aleutians.
• January 2 - Japanese supply-carrying destroyers are bombed by Naval and Army aircraft west of Rendova and attacked by motor torpedo boats off Cape Esperance in the Solomons. One destroyer is damaged. The Japanese submarine I-18 is sunk by the submarine USS Grayback (SS-208), also in the Solomons. The German Army begins to withdraw from the Caucasus.
• January 5 - A cruiser and destroyer group under Rear Admiral W.L. Ainsworth heavily bombards the Japanese airfield and installations at Munda in the Solomons.
• January 6 - The light cruiser USS San Juan (CL-54) is damaged by a dive bomber in the Solomons. The German submarine U-14 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-83) off of Brazil.
• January 10 - The submarine USS Argonaut (APS-1) is sunk during an attack on a convoy southeast of New Britain. The Japanese destroyer Okikaze is sunk by the submarine USS Trigger (SS-237) off Honshu, Japan. The Russians begin an offensive against the Germans in Stalingrad.January 11 - Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese destroyers off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, damaging two of the destroyers. US losses were PT-112 sunk and PT-43 damaged, beached and abandoned.
• January 12 - US forces occupy Amchitka in the Aleutians. The destroyer USS Worden (DD-352) is grounded and sunk at Amchitka and PT-28 is also grounded and sunk in Dora Harbor, Alaska. Japanese patrol boat No.1 is sunk by the submarine USS Guardfish (SS-217) near New Ireland.
• January 13 - The German submarine U-507 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-83) off Brazil.
• January 14 - The submarine USS Gudgeon (SS-211) lands personnel and equipment near Catmon Point, Negros in the Philippines. Casablanca Conference begins.
• January 15 - Aircraft from Henderson Field attack nine Japanese destroyers off Guadalcanal, damaging two.
• January 17 - Naval Base and Naval Air Station are established at Brisbane, Australia.
• January 19 - Japanese forces land at Wewak, New Guinea.
• January 20 - Destroyer escort USS Brennan (DE-13) is commissioned at Mare Island, California. This is the first ship of this type to be placed in commission.
• January 21 - Naval Base and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility are established at Corrinto, Nicaragua. The submarine chaser SC-709 is grounded and sunk off Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
• January 23 - Casablanca Conference ends. Roosevelt, Churchill and the Combined Chiefs of Staff agree on the Invasion of Sicily and a cross-channel amphibious assault on Western Europe. The Japanese destroyer Hakaze is sunk by the submarine USS Guardfish (SS-217). Tripoli is captured by the British Eighth Army.
• January 24 - A bombardment group of cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Ainsworth and a carrier group under Rear Admiral Ramsey bombard and bomb the Vila-Stanmore area of Kolombangara in the Solomons.
• January 26 - The submarine USS Wahoo (SS-238) sinks an entire group of Japanese ships north of New Guinea; 2 freighters, 1 transport, and 1 tanker.
• January 29 - Battle of Rennell Island. A cruiser and destroyer task force under Rear Admiral Giffen, covering the movement of troop transports to Guadalcanal, is bombed by Japanese aircraft near Rennell Island.
• January 30 - Battle of Rennell Island. Land and carrier-based naval aircraft engage Japanese aircraft attacking Rear Admiral Giffen's cruiser and destroyer force. The heavy cruiser USS Chicago (CA-29) is sunk and the destroyer USS La Vallette damaged, both by aircraft torpedoes. Naval Station is established at Akutan Harbor, Fox Island in Alaska. Grand Admiral Karl Koenitz becomes Chief of the German Navy.
• February 1 - A Japanese force of 20 destroyers, en route to evacuate troops from Guadalcanal, is attacked by motor torpedo boats and aircraft from Henderson Field. The destroyer USS De Haven (DD-469) is sunk by dive bombers in the Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Makigumo is sunk by a mine off Doma Reef, also in the Solomons.
• February 2 - The Germans at Stalingrad surrender.
• February 3 - The Command designated US Naval Forces Northwest African Waters is established with Headquarters at Algiers.
• February 4 - A Japanese cruiser and 22 destroyers, en route to evacuate troops from Guadalcanal, are attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field. Four destroyers are damaged.
• February 6 - North African Theater of Operations, under Lt. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, is established.
• February 7 - A Japanese force of 18 destroyers, en route to Guadalcanal to evacuate troops is attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field. Two destroyers are damaged.
• February 8 - Japanese complete the evacuation of more than 11,000 troops from Guadalcanal. The Russians re-capture Kursk.
• February 9 - Organized resistance on Guadalcanal ends.
• February 10 - The German submarine U-519 is sunk by Army aircraft northwest of Spain.
• February 11 - The Japanese submarine RO-102 is sunk by naval aircraft, the light cruiser USS Helana (CL-50) and the destroyer USS Fletcher (DD-445) in the Coral Sea.
• February 14 - Rostov is retaken by the Russians. Battle of Kasserine Pass between the US First Armored Division and German Panzers begins in North Africa. Battle lasts until February 25.
• February 15 - The joint air command designated Aircraft, Solomon Islands, under Rear Admiral C.P. Mason, is established with headquarters on Guadalcanal.
• February 16 - Fleet Air Wing 16 is commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia. The Russians re-capture Kharkov.
• February 17 - The carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) is commissioned at Quincy, Massachusettes. This vessel is named for the carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) that was sunk on May 8, 1942 in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Moroccan Sea Frontier is established under Rear Admiral J.L. Hall.
• February 18 - Two cruisers and four destroyers under Rear Admiral C.H. McMorris bombard Japanese installations at Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor, Attu in the Aleutians. Nazis arrest the "White Rose" leaders in Munich.
• February 20 - The motor minesweeper YMS-133 founders and sinks in Coos Bay, Oregon. The Japanese destroyer Oshio and a patrol vessel are sunk by the submarine USS Albacore (SS-218) north of Manus in the Admiralty Islands.
• February 21 - US troops occupy the Russell Islands in the Solomons. The German submarine U-225 is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter USS Spencer (PG-36) in the north Atlantic.
• February 22 - The battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) is commissioned at New York City. The German submarine U-606 is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter USS Campbell (PG-32) and the Polish destroyer Burza in the north Atlantic.
• February 24 - Naval Air Facility at Amchitka, Alaska is established.
• March 1 - Naval Auxiliary Air Facility is established at Annette Island, Alaska.
• March 2 - Battle of the Bismark Sea. US Army and Australian aircraft bomb eight Japanese transports escorted by eight destroyers in the Bismarck Sea, en route to Law, New Guinea. Aircraft and motor torpedo boast attacks continue until all transports and four destroyers are sunk. The submarine chaser SC-1024 is sunk in a collision off North Carolina. The Germans begin withdrawl from Tunisia.
• March 3 - Battle of the Bismarck Sea. The Japanese destroyers Asahio, Arashio, Yokitsukaze and Shirayuki are sunk by US Army and Australian aircraft.
• March 5 - The escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) commences escort of convoy duty. This is the first time an escort carrier is assigned anti-submarine operations as a primary duty. The submarine USS Tambor (SS-198) lands personnel, ammunition and currency at Pagadian Bay, Mindanao in the Philippines.
• March 6 - Three cruisers and seven destroyers under Rear Admiral Merrill bombard Vila and Munda in the Solomons. Two Japanese destroyers, the Mineguo and Murasame are engaged and sunk. The submarine USS Tautog (SS-199) lays mines off the southeast coast of Borneo.
• March 8 - The German submarine U-156 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-53) in the West Indies.
• March 9 - Japanese installations at Munda in the Solomons are bombed by naval aircraft. Bombing of this area becomes a regular occurrence.
• March 12 - The German submarine U-130 is sunk by the destroyer USS Champlin (DD-601) in the North Atlantic.
• March 14 - Fleet Operational Training Command, Atlantic Fleet under Rear Admiral D.B. Beary is established.
• March 15 - Commander in Chief United States Fleet, Admiral E.J. King, establishes numbered fleet system; all fleets in the Pacific to have odd numbers and those in the Atlantic even numbers. Naval Auxiliary Air Facility in the French Frigate Shoals is established. Kharkov is recaptured by the German Army.
• March 16 - Vice Admiral H.K. Hewitt becomes Commander Naval Forces Northwest African Waters. The Battle of the Atlantic reaches a climax as German U-boats sink 27 merchant ships between March 16 and March 20.
• March 17 - US vessels PT-67 nd PT-119 are sunk by fire in the eastern New Guinea area.
• March 20-28 - Montgomery's Eighth Army breaks through the Mareth Line in Tunisia.
• March 22 - The submarines USS Grampus (SS-207) and USS Amberjack (SS-219) are reported as presumed lost. The German submarine U-524 is sunk by Army aircraft north of the Canary Islands.
• March 23 - Naval Station and Naval Air Facility are established at Arseu, Algeria. Advanced Amphibious Training Bases are established at Port Lyautey, Morroco and Nemours, Tenes, Beni Saf and Mostagenem in Algeria.
• March 25 - Naval and Army aircraft bomb Nauru Island in the South Pacific.
• March 26 - Battle of the Komandorski Islands. A task force of two cruisers and four destroyers under Rear Admiral McMorris engages a Japanese force of four cruisers and four destroyers escorting reinforcements to Attu in the Aleutians. In this daylight action, the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) and the destroyer USS Bailey (DD-492) are damaged by naval gunfire. One Japanese cruiser is damaged. Japanese reinforcements fail to reach Attu. Naval Operating Facility is established at Belem, Brazil.
• March 27 - Naval Air Facility at Natal, Brazil and Naval Operating Facilities at Victoria, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Maceio, Recife, Rio Grande do Sul, Santos and Sao Luiz, Brazil are established. Coast Guard cutter No. 85006 explodes and sinks off Long Island.
• March 29 - The submarine USS Gato (SS-212) evacuates military and civilian personnel from Teop Island in the Solomons.
• April 1 - Naval Operating Facility at Grandal, Greenland and Naval Air Station at Patuxent River, Maryland are established.
• April 3 - Japanese submarine chaser No.13 is sunk by the submarine USS Pickerel (SS-117) off Japan.
• April 5 - The Japanese submarine RO-34 is sunk by the destroyer USS O'Bannon (DD-450) in the Solomons.
• April 6 - Axis forces in Tunisia begin to withdraw toward Enfidaville as the US and British forces join together.
• April 7 - Japanese aircraft make a heavy strike against US naval vessels near Tulagi in the Solomons. The destroyer USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) and the oiler Kanawha (AO-1) are sunk, both by horizontal bombers, and the cargo ship USS Adhara (AK71) and the oiler USS Tappahanock are damaged, both by dive bombers. The submarine USS Trout (SS-202) lays mines near Sarawak, Borneo.
• April 9 - The Japanese destroyer Isonami is sunk by the submarine USS Tautog (SS-199) off Celebes. The rank of Commodore, US Navy, is reestablished.
• April 10 - The submarine USS Triton (SS-201) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean Area.
• April 15 - The carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia; this vessel is named for the carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) that was sunk on June 7, 1942 after the Battle of Midway. The Italian submarine Archimede is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-83) off Brazil.
• April 17 - The German submarine U-175 is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter USS Spencer (PG-36) in the north Atlantic.
• April 18 - Admiral Yamamoto, Commander in Chief Japanese Combined Fleet, is killed when his aircraft if shot down by Army aircraft.
• April 19 - The submarine USS Scorpion (SS-278) lays mines off Kashima Nada, Japan. The SS attacks Jewish resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto.
• April 20 - The submarine USS Runner (SS-275) lays mines near Hong Kong.
• April 21 - The submarine USS Stingray (SS-186) lays mines near Wenchow, China.
• April 22 - Japanese aircraft bomb the airfield at Funafuti in the Ellice Islands. The submarine USS Grenadier (SS-210) is damaged by a Japanese air attack and scuttled in the Straits of Malacca.
• April 23 - Japanese patrol boat No. 39 is sunk by the submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197) off Formosa.
• April 26 - A task group of 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers under Rear Admiral C.H. McMorris bombards Japanese installations on Attu in the Aleutians. US Naval Station is established at Mers el Kebir, Morocco.
• April 27 - The German submarine U-174 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-125) in the north Atlantic.
• April 29 - The submarine USS Gato (SS-212) lands coast watchers and evacuates missionaries at Teop Island in the Solomons.
• April 30 - The submarine USS Gudgeon (SS-211) lands personnel and equipment on Payay in the Philippines. The submarine USS Snook (SS-279) lays mines off Saddle Island, China. The US Atlantic Fleet turns over responsibility for convoys between Halifax and the United Kingdon to British and Canandian naval forces.
• May 2 - Coast Guard cutter 58012 is sunk by an explosion off Manomet Point, Massachusettes.
• May 7 - Minelayers lay a minefield across Blackett Strait in the Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. Allies capture Tunisia.
• May 8 - The Japanese destroyers Kuroshiro, Oyashio and Kagero are sunk by mines and aircraft in the Kula Gulf in the Solomons.
• May 10 - The destroyer USS MacDonough (DD-351) and the light minelayer USS Sicard (DM-21) are damaged in a collision in the Aleutians.
• May 11 - Army troops land on Attu in the Aleutians. The landing is covered by naval forces under Rear Admirals Kinkaid and Rockwell.
• May 12 - Roosevelt, Churchill and the Combined Chiefs of Staff open a meeting in Washington. The Advanced Amphibious Training Base in Bizerte, Tunisia is established. The submarine USS Steelhead (SS-280) lays mines off Erimo Saki, Japan. The submarine USS Pickerel (SS-177) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean Area. Axis forces in North Africa surrender.
• May 13 - Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Ainsworth bombard Munda and Vila in the Solomons, while minelayers lay mines across the northwest approaches to Kula Gulf. The light cruiser USS Nashville (CL-43) and the destroyer USS Nicholas (DD-449) are damaged by an accidentl explosion. The Italian submarine Mocenigo is sunk by Army aircraft at Cagliari, Sardinia.
• May 14 - The German submarine U-657 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) in the north Atlantic.
• May 15 - A Naval Advanced Base and Naval Air Facility in the Russel Islands in the Solomons and a Naval Air Station at Adak in the Aleutians are established. The German submarine U-176 is suk by naval land-based aircraft (VS-62) and Cuban submarine chaser No. 13, off of Cuba.
• May 16 - The German submarine U-182 is sunk by the destroyer USS Mackenzie (DD-614) west of the Madeira Islands. Jewish resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto ends. The British stage an air raid on the Ruhr.
• May 17 - The German submarine U-128 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74) and the destroyers USS Moffett (DD-362) and USS Jouett (DD-396) off of Brazil.
• May 20 - The US Tenth Fleet, with headquarters in Washington, is established under the Commander in Chief, US Fleet Admiral King to control US anti-submarine operations in the Atlantic.
• May 21 - The Italian submarine Gorgo is sunk by the destroyer USS Nields (DD-616) off of Algeria.
• May 22 - The US Advanced Amphibious Training Base at Tunis, Tunisia is established. The German submarine U-569 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) in the north Atlantic. Admiral Donitz suspends U-boat activities in the north Atlantic.
• May 23 - The battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) is commissioned at Philadelphia. The PT-boat tender USS Niagara (AGP-1) is sunk by a horizontal bomber in the Solomons. The motor torpedo boats PT-165 and PT-173 are sunk by submarine torpedoes off New Caledonia.
• May 25 - The carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) is commissioned at Quincy, Massachusettes. The German submarine U-467 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84).
• May 26 - The submarine USS Trout (SS-202) lands personnel, currency and equipment on Basilan Island in the Philippines.
• May 27 - Naval Station at Coco Solo in the Canal Zone is established.
• May 29 - The Japanese submarine RO-107 is sunk by the submarine chaser PC-669 in the New Hebrides.
• May 30 - Organized Japanese resistance ends on Attu in the Aleutians.
• May 31 - The submarine USS Steelhead (SS-280) lays mines off Erimo Sake, Japan.
• June 2 - The German submarine U-521 is sunk by the submarine chaser PC-565 off of Virginia.
• June 4 - The submarine USS Silversides (SS-236) lays mines in Steffan Strait between New Hanover and New Ireland. The submarine chaser PC-496 is sunk by a mine.
• June 5 - The German submarine U-217 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) in the mid-Atlantic.
• June 8 - Naval Air Facility at Attu in the Aleutians is established.
• June 10 - The Japanese submarine I-9 is sunk by the submarine chaser PC-487 in the Aleutians. The "point blank" directive to improve Allied bombing strategy is issued.
• June 11 - The motor torpedo boat PT-22 is beached and abandoned near Adak in the Aleutians. Himler orders the liquidation of all Polish ghettos.
• June 12 - The submarine USS Trout (SS-202) lands personnel and supplies on Mindanao in the Philippines. The US submarine R-12 sinks off Key West, cause unknown. The German submarine U-118 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) in the mid-Atlantic.
• June 13 - The Coast Guard cutter USS Escanaba (PG-77) is sunk by a German torpedo off Ivigtut, Greenland. The Japanese submarine I-31 is sunk by the destroyer USS Frazier (DD-607) in the Aleutians.
• June 16 - Japanese aircraft attack ships at Guadalcanal. A large number of these aircraft are shot down. The cargo ship USS Celeno (AK-76) and LST-340 are damaged by dive bombers.
• June 17 - The submarine chaser SC-740 is groundedand sunk. In the North African area, LST-6 and LST-326 are damaged in a collision.
• June 20 - The German submarine U-338 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) in the north Atlantic.
• June 21 - Marines and Army troops land at Segi Point, New Georgia in the Solomons.
• June 22 - The submarine chaser SC-751 is grounded and sunk. LST-33 and LST-387 are damaged by submarine torpedoes in the North African area. The Japanese submarine I-7 is sunk by the destroyer USS Monaghan (DD-354) in the Aleutians.
• June 23 - The cargo ships USS Aludra (AK-72) and USS Deimos (AK-78) are sunk by submarine torpedoes in the Solomons.
• June 24 - The tug YT-211 is damaged in a storm in the North African Area. The German submarine U-200 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) in the north Atlantic.
• June 27 - The salvage vessel USS Redwing (ARS-4) is sunk by an underwater explosion in the North African area.
• June 30 - The Naval Auxiliary Air Facility at Shemya, Alaska is established. Beginning shortly before midnight on June 29, 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers under Rear Admiral Merrill bombard Vila-Stanmore on Kolombangara and Buin-Shortland, Bougainville in the Solomons. Mines are laid off Shortland Harbor, Bougainville. The Third Fleet Amphibious Force under Rear Admiral Turner supported by land-based aircraft under Vice Admiral Fitch lands Marines and Army troops on Rendova and other islands in the New Georgia area in the Solomons. The attack transport USS McCawley (APA-4) is damaged by a Japanese submarine torpedo and sunk by a US motor torpedo boat off New Georgia. Coast Guard cutter No. 83421 is sunk in a collision with the submarine chaser SC-1330, which is damaged, while en route to Miami. The high speed minesweeper USS Zane (DMS-14) is damaged by grounding in the Solomons.
• July 1 - The submarine USS Gar (SS-206) lands personnel on the south coast of Timor in the Netherlands East Indies. US Naval Operating Base at Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides is established. The Japanese submarine RO-101 is sunk by the destroyer USS Radford (DD-446) in the Solomons.
• July 2 - Japanese cruisers, destroyers and aircraft attack Rendova in the Solomons. The motor torpedo boats PT-153 and PT-158 are grounded, beached and abandoned in the Solomons.
• July 4 - The destroyer USS Wilkes (DD-441) is damaged by grounding in the North Africa area.
• July 5 - Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Ainsworth bombard Vila, Kolombangara and Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia in the Solomons. US forces land at Rice Anchorage, New Georgia. The destroyer USS Strong (DD-467) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Solomons. The Germans begin their last offensive against Kursk.
• July 6 - Battle of Kula Gulf. A task group consisting of 3 cruisers and 4 destroyers, under Rear Admiral Ainsworth, engages 10 Japanese destroyers carrying troops and supplies to Kolombangara in the Solomons. The light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50) is sunk by destroyer torpedoes. The Japanese lose the destroyers Niizuki, to naval gunfire, and Nagatsuki, which is grounded and abandoned.
• July 7 - The German submarine U-951 is sunk by Army aircraft in the eastern Atlantic.
• July 8 - Vila, Kolombangara in the Solomons is bombed by US Naval aircraft.
• July 9 - Munda, New Georgia in the Solomons is bombarded by US destroyers. The submarine USS Thresher (SS-200) lands personnel, stores and ammunition on the west coast of Negros in the Philippines. The German submarine U-590 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-94) at the mouth of the Amazon River, Brazil.
• July 10 - Allies invade Sicily. Troops land under cover of naval gunfire and aircraft. The overall commander is General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA; the naval commander is Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham, RN. Western Naval Task Force under Vice Admiral H.K. Hewitt, USN lands the US Seventh Army under Lieutenant General George S. Patton, USA, and Eastern Naval Task Force under Vice Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, RN, lands the British Eighth Army under British General Sir B.L. Montgomery. Naval gunfire continues to support the forces ashore throughout the Sicilian campaign. US naval vessels sunk during the Sicily landings include the destroyer USS Maddox (DD-622), LST 313, and the minesweeper USS Sentinel (AM-113). The destroyers USS Roe (DD-418) and USS Swanson (DD-443), the attack transport USS William P. Biddle (APA-8), LST-382, LST-345 and the submarine chaser PC-621 are damaged in collisions.
• July 11 - US cruiser and destroyer gunfire stops a German tank assault on the landing beaches near Gela, Sicily. LST-158 is damaged by a horizontal bomber, beached and abandoned. The attack transport USS Barnett (APA-5) and the transports USS Orizaba (AP-24) and USS Monrovia (AP-54) are damaged by horizontal and dive bombers.
• July 12 - Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Merrill bombard Munda, New Georgia in the Solomons. The Japanese submarine I-25 is sunk by the destroyer USS Taylor (DD-468) in the Solomons. The German submarine U-506 is sunk by Army aircraft near Portugal.
• July 13 - Battle of Kolombangara. A task force consisting of 3 cruisers and 10 destroyers under Rear Admiral Ainsworth engages a Japanese cruiser and 5 destroyers escorting destroyer transports. The destroyer USS Gwin (DD-433) is damaged by a destroyer torpedo and scuttled. The light cruisers USS Honolulu (CL-48) and USS St. Louis (CL-49) are damaged by destroyer torpedoes. The destroyers USS Woodworth (DD-460) and USS Buchanan (DD-484) are damaged in a collision. The Japanese light cruiser Jintsu is sunk by cruiser gunfire and destroyer torpedo. US Naval Advanced Base in Gela, Sicily is established. The German submarine U-487 is sunk by aircraft (VC-13) from the escort carrier USS Core (CVE-13) in the north Atlantic.
• July 14 - US destroyers bombard Kiska in the Aleutians. The bombardment is repeated on July 15. A Naval Operating Base at Adad in the Aleutians is established. The light cruiser USS Brooklyn (CL-40) is damaged by a mine in the Sicilian area. The German submarine U-160 is sunk by aircraft (VC-29) from the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29), south of the Azores.
• July 15 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) shells the Japanese airfield on Matsuwa Island in the Kuriles. The minesweeper USS Staff (AM-114) is damaged by a mine in the Sicilian area. The German submarine U-159 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft in the Caribbean. The German submarine U-509 is sunk by aircraft (VC-29) from the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29) south of the Azores.
• July 16 - The German submarine U-67 is sunk by aircraft (VC-13) from the escort carrier USS Core (CVE-13) in the mid-Atlantic.
• July 17 - Naval and Army aircraft attack Japanese Shipping at Buin, Bougainville in the Solomons. The Japanese destroyer Hatsuyuki is sunk during the attack.
• July 18 - Naval and Army aircraft attack the Buin-Kahile area on Bougainville in the Solomons. The Naval airship K-74 is shot down by a German U-boat in the Florida Straits. This is the only naval airship lost to enemy action. LST-342 is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Solomons. The submarine chaser PC-562 is damaged by a mine in the Sicilian area.
• July 19 - The German submarine U-513 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft offof Brazil. Rome is bombed by the Allies.
• July 20 - Land-based aircraft attack Japanese ships south of Choiseul Island in the Solomons. The destroyers Kiyonami and Yugure are sunk during the attack. The submarine USS Runner (SS-275) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean Area. PT-166 is strafed and sunk in the Solomons. The German submarine U-588 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Bay of Biscay.
• July 21 - The German submarine U-662 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-94) in the mouth of the Amazon River, Brazil.
• July 22 - A task force of 2 battleships, 5 cruisers and 9 destroyers under Rear Admirals Giffen and Griffin bombard the Kiska area in the Aleutians. The Japanese seaplane tender Nisshin is sunk by naval land-based aircraft off of New Georgia in the Solomons. American forces capture Palermo, Sicily.
• July 23 - Patrol Squadron 63, the first US naval aircraft squadron to operate from the United Kingdom, arrives in South Wales for anti-submarine patrol duty in the Bay of Biscay. The German submarine U-527 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9). The German submarine U-613 is sunk by the destroyer USS Badger (DD-126) south of the Azores. The German submarine U-598 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-107) off of Brazil.
• July 24 - The German submarine U-622 is sunk by Army aircraft off Norway. The British bomb Hamburg, Germany.
• July 25 - Destroyers and aircraft strike enemy positions at Munda in the Solomons. Mussolini's government is overthrown in Italy. Marshal Badoglio takes over and negotiates with the Allies.
• July 26 - The destroyer USS Mayrant (DD-402) is damaged by a horizontal bomber at Palermo, Sicily. The German submarine U-759 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-32) in the Caribbean. Martial law is declared in Italy by Marshal Badoglio.
• July 27 - The Japanese submarine I-24 is sunk by the submarine USS Scamp (SS-277) off the Admiralty Islands. The Japanese minelayer Hirashima is sunk by the submarine USS Sawfish (SS-276) off Kyushu, Japan. An Allied bombing raid on Hamburg causes a firestorm.
• July 28 - The Japanese evacuation of Kiska in the Aleutians is completed without detection by US forces. A Naval Operating Base at Palermo, Sicily is established. The Japanese destroyers Ariake and Mikazuki are sunk by Army bombers in the New Britain area. The German submarine U-359 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-32) in the West Indies. The German submarine U-404 is by US Army and British aircraft in the Bay of Biscay.
• July 29 - US Advanced Amphibious Training Base at Appledore, England is established.
• July 30 - A German U-boat lays mines off the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. The German submarine U-591 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft off Brazil. The German U-43 is sunk by aircraft (VC-29) from the escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29) in the mid-Atlantic. The German submarine U-375 is sunk by the submarine chaser PC-624 off Tunisia.
• July 31 - The submarine USS Guardfish (SS-217) lands a survey party on the west coast of Bougainville in the Solomons. The submarine USS Grayling (SS-209) lands supplies and equipment at Pucia Point, Panay in the Philippines. The German submarine U-199 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74) and Brazilian aircraft off of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
• August 1 - US motor torpedo boats attack Japanese destroyers near Rendova in the Solomons. PT-117 is damaged by a dive bomber, beached and abandoned and PT-164 is sunk by a horizontal bomber. The submarine USS Mingo (SS-261) bombards Sorol Island in the Carolines. Army aircraft initiate daily bombings of Kiska in the Aleutians. The minesweeper USS Skill (AM-115) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Sicilian area. A Naval Station at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico is established.
• August 2 - Naval task groups consisting of 2 battleships, 5 cruisers, and 9 destroyers under Rear Admirals H.F. Kingman and W.D. Baker bombard Kiska in the Aleutians. Kiska is bombarded 10 times between this date and August 15. PT-109 is sunk by a collision with a Japanese ship in the Solomons. The Japanese torpedo boats Nos. 112 and 113 are sunk by Army aircraft. The German submarine U-706 is sunk by Army aircraft in the eastern Atlantic.
• August 3 - The German submarine U-572 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-205) north of Dutch Guiana. The Italian submarine Argento is sunk by the destroyer USS Buck (DD-420) off of Tunisia.
• August 4 - The destroyer USS Shubrick (DD-639) is damaged by a dive bomber in the Sicilian area.
• August 5 - Munda, New Georgia in the Solomons falls to US forces. The gunboat USS Plymouth (PG-57) is sunk by a submarine torpedo.
• August 6 - Battle of Vella Gulf. Shortly before midnight, four Japanese destroyers attempting to bring troops and supplies to Kolombangara in the Solomons is attacked by six US destroyers under Commodore F. Moosbrugger in Vella Gulf. The Japanese destroyers Kawakaze, Hagikaze and Arashi are sunk and the other is damaged. The US force suffers no damage. LST-3 is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Sicilian area. The German submarine U-615 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-130, VP-204 & VP-205) and Army aircraft in the Caribbean.
• August 7 - The German submarine U-117 is sunk by aircraft (VC-1) from the escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) in the north Atlantic.
• August 8 - PT-113 is grounded, beached and abandoned in the eastern New Guinea area.
• August 9 - The German submarine U-664 is sunk by aircraft (VC-1) from the escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) in the north Atlantic.
• August 10 - LST-318 is damaged by a dive bomber, beached and abandoned and the salvage vessel USS Brant (ARS-32) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, both in the Sicilian area.
• August 11 - The German submarine U-525 is sunk by aircraft (VC-1) from the escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) in the north Atlantic. U-604 is damaged by naval land-based aircraft (VB-129 & VP-107) and the destroyer USS Moffett (DD-362) and scuttled in the south Atlantic.
• August 12 - The submarine chaser SC-526 is grounded and sunk in the Sicilian area. German evacuation of Sicily begins.
• August 13 - Japanese aircraft attack US shipping at Guadalcanal. The attack transport USS John Penn (APA-23) is sunk.
• August 14 - The Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser no. 109 is sunk by the submarine USS Finback (SS-230) on the east coast of Celebes.
• August 15 - The Third Amphibious Force under Rear Admiral T.S. Wilkinson lands Naval, Marine and Army personnel at Vella Lavella in the Solomons. This landing by-passes the Japanese position on Kolombangara. A naval task force under Vice Admiral Kinkaid lands US and Canadian troops at Kiska in the Aleutians. Kiska is found to have been evacuated by the Japanese.
• August 16 - The carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia.
• August 17 - US Army troops enter Messina, ending the campaign in Sicily. Lipari and Stromboli Islands, north of Sicily, surrender to US destroyers and PT boats. Portugal agrees to grant bases in the Azores to Great Britain. The destroyers USS Walker (DD-466) and USS Philip (DD-498) are damaged in a collision in the Solomons. The Quebec conference begins. Germans complete the evacuation of Sicily. The US stages daylight air raids on Regensburg and Schweinfurt in Germany. The Allies reach Messina, Italy.
• August 18 - A US cruiser and destroyer force shell Gioia Taura and Palmi on the Italian mainland. A task group composed of 4 destroyers under Captain T.J. Ryan engages 4 Japanese destroyers escorting landing barges north of Vella Lavella in the Solomons. The US Advanced Amphibious Training Base at St. Mawes, Cornwall, England, is established. LST-396 is sunk by an accidental explosion in the Solomons. The destroyers USS Abner Read (DD-526) is damaged by a mine in the Aleutians. The Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers No.s 5 and 12 are sunk by US surface craft near Vella Lavella.
• August 19 - The Japanese submarine I-17 is sunk by naval land based aircraft (VS-57) and a New Zealand naval vessel off of eastern Australia.
• August 20- The US Naval Base at Rosneath, Scotland is re-established.
• August 23 - The submarine USS Grayling (SS-209) delivers supplies to Panay in the Philippines. The submarine chasers SC-694 and SC-696 are sunk by dive bombers in the Sicilian area. The coastal minesweeper USS Crow (AMC-20) is sunk by an erratically running US aircraft torpedo in Puget Sound, Washington. Kharkov is re-captured by the Russians.
• August 24 - The New Georgia campaign in the Solomons ends as Army troops occupy Bairoko Harbor. The Quebec conference ends. The German submarines U-84 and U-185 are sunk by aircraft (VC-13) from the escort carrier USS Core (CVE-13) in the mid-Atlantic. August 25 - The light minelayers USS Montgomery (DM-17) and USS Preble (DM-20) are damaged in a collision in the Solomons. The Japanese submarine I-178 is sunk by the destroyer USS Patterson (DD-392) in the south Pacific.
• August 27 - Marines and Seabees occupy Nukufetau in the Ellice Islands. Army troops are landed on Arundel Island in the Solomons. The German submarine U-487 is sunk by aircraft (VC-1) from the escort carrier USS Card (VCE-11) in the mid-Atlantic.
• August 28 - Marines occupy Nanumea in the Ellice Islands.
• August 31 - A carrier task force under Rear Admiral C.A. Pownall bombs Marcus Island.
• September 1 - Army troops land on Baker Island supported by a naval task force under Rear Admiral W.A. Lee. Navy assumes full responsibility for airborne anti-submarine operations by US forces in the Atlantic. Naval Air Station at Kahului, Maui is established.
• September 2 - The submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287) delivers supplies and evacuates personnel from Binuni Point, Mindanao in the Philippines. The Japanese frigate Mutsure is sunk by the submarine USS Snapper (SS-185) in the Carolines.
• September 3 - British troops, with naval and air support, land on the Italian mainland. Allies sign armistice with Italy. The Japanese submarine I-168 is sunk by the destroyer USS Ellet (DD-398) in the south Pacific.
• September 4 - A US naval force under Rear Admiral D.E. Barbey lands Australian troops on Huon Peninsula, near Lae, New Guinea. The destroyer USS Conyngham (DD-371) is damaged by a dive bomber near eastern New Guinea. LST-471 and LST-473 are damaged by torpedo and dive bombers in the eastern New Guinea area.
• September 7 - Japanese aircraft bomb Nanumea in the Ellice Islands. PT-118 and PT-172 are damaged by grounding and sunk by US forces in the Solomons.
• September 8 - Four United States destroyers bombard Lae, New Guinea. The Italian surrender is announced.
• September 9 - The Italian mainland is invaded in force. Under the protection of the Western Naval Task Force, under Vice Admiral H.K. Hewitt, USN, the Allied Fifth Army, under Lt. General Mark W. Clark, USA, lands on the assault beaches in the Gulf of Salerno. The tug USS Nauset (AT-89) is sunk by a dive bomber and LST-336, LST-375, LST-385, LST-389 and LST-386 are damaged by coastal defense fire and a mine during the Italian landings. The Japanese submarine I-182 is sunk by the submarine USS Trout (SS-202) in the Philippines. Allied forces land at Salerno and Taranto.
• September 10 - Rome is occupied by the Germans.
• September 11 - The Italian Fleet surrenders to the Allies. A German U-boat lays mines off of Charleston, South Carolina. The destroyer USS Rowan (DD-405) is sunk by a torpedo from surface craft in the Italian area. The light cruisers USS Philadelphia (CL-41) and USS Savannah (CL-42) are damaged by radio controlled bombs during the Italian landings. The tug USS Navajo (AT-64) is sunk by an explosion east of the New Hebrides. Japanese minesweeper No. 16 is sunk by US aircraft in the southwest Pacific.
• September 12 - LST-455 is damaged by a dive bomber in the eastern New Guinea area. Mussolini is rescued by Germans.
• September 13 - The submarine chaser SC-666 is damaged in a collision during the Italian landings.
• September 15 - Fleet Air Wing 17 is commissioned in Brisbane, Australia for operations in the Southwest Pacific. The Japanese submarine RO-103 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-23) and the destroyer USS Saufley (DD-465) in the Solomons.
• September 17 - PT-136 is damaged by grounding and sunk by US forces in the New Guinea area.
• September 18 - Carrier aircraft under Rear Admiral C.A. Pownall bomb Tarawa, Makin and Abemama in the Gilbert Islands.
• September 19 - The submarine USS Cisco (SS-290) departs Port Darwin, Australia to patrol the South China Sea and is never heard from again.
• September 22 - Australian troops are put ashore at Finschafen, New Guinea by a US naval force of destroyers and landing craft under Rear Admiral D.E. Barbey.
• September 23 - Mussolini re-establishes Fascist government in Northern Italy.
• September 25 - The minesweeper USS Skill (AM-115) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Italian area. LST-167 is damaged by a dive bomber at Vella Lavella in the Solomons. The Russians re-capture Smolensk.
• September 26 - US Naval Operating Facility at Natal, Brazil is established. The Japanese motor torpedo boat Kasasagi is sunk by the submarine USS Bluefish (SS-222) in the Netherlands East Indies.
• September 27 - The German submarine U-161 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74) off Brazil.
• September 28 - The submarine USS Grouper (SS-214) lands personnel and supplies on the south coast of New Britain. The salvage vessel USS Brant (ARS-32)is damaged by collision in the Italian area. The Japanese minelayer Boko is sunk by aircraft off New Guinea.
• September 29 - The destroyers USS Patterson (DD-392) and USS McCalla (DD-488) are damaged in a collision in the Solomons.
• September 30 - The submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287) delivers supplies and evacuates personnel from the vicinity of Siquijor Island in the Philippines. The submarine USS Grayling (SS-209) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. PT-68 is damaged by grounding and sunk by US forces in the Eastern New Guinea area. PT-219 foundered at Attu in the Aleutians, sometime during September. The Coast Guard cutter USS Wilcox foundered and sunk off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. LST-334 is damaged by dive bombers and PT-126 is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, both in the Solomons.
• October 1 - US Naval Air Facility at Recife, Brazil is established. US naval forces under Commander Naval Forces Europe, Admiral Stark, are designated the Twelfth Fleet. The destroyer USS Saufley (DD-465) and LST-448 are damaged by horizontal bombers in the Solomons. The Japanese submarine I-20 is sunk by the destroyer USS Eaton (DD-510) in the Solomons. Allied forces enter Naples in Italy.
• October 2 - The submarine USS Kingfish (SS-234) lays mines off southern Celebes in the Netherlands East Indies. LST-203 is damaged by grounding near Nanumea in the Ellice Islands.
• October 3 - The Japanese complete evacuation of Kolombangara in the Solomons. The destroyer USS Henley (DD-391) is sunk by submarine torpedo in the eastern New Guinea area.
• October 4 - Aircraft from the carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) attack Axis shipping along the coast of Norway. The German submarine U-336 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-128) in the north Atlantic. U-422 and U-460 are sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) north of the Azores.
• October 5 - A task force including 6 carriers, 7 cruisers and 24 destroyers under Rear Admiral A.E. Montgomery bombs and bombards Wake Island. This attack is repeated on the sixth. LST-448 is sunk from damage received on October 1 in the Solomons.
• October 6 - Battle of Vella Lavella. Three destroyers under Captain F.R. Walker intercept and attack nine Japanese destroyers evacuating troops from Vella Lavella in the Solomons. The destroyer USS Chevalier (DD-451) is damaged by submarine torpedo and sunk by US forces. The destroyer USS O'Bannon (DD-450) is damaged in a collision with USS Chevalier. The destroyer USS Selfridge is damaged by submarine torpedo. The Japanese destroyer Yugumo is sunk by destroyer torpedo. The submarine USS Kingfish (SS-234) lands personnel and supplies on the northeast coast of Borneo.
• October 7 - The Japanese complete the evacuation of Vella Lavella in the Solomons. The submarine S-44 is sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Kurile Islands.
• October 8 - US Air Facility at Dakar, French West Africa is established.
• October 9 - The destroyer USS Buck (DD-420) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Italian area.
• October 10 - A German U-boat lays mines off the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.
• October 11 - The US Advanced Amphibious Training Base at Falmouth, Cornwall, England is established.
• October 13 - Italy declares war on Germany. The destroyer USS Bristol (DD-453) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Mediterranean. The German submarine U-402 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) in the north Atlantic. The second US air raid on Schweinfurt takes place.
• October 14 - The US Naval Air Facility at Igarape Assu, Brazil is established. The Coast Guard cutter USS Dow (YP-353) is grounded and abandoned off Mayagues, Puerto Rico.
• October 15 - The US Advanced Amphibious Training Base at Fowey, Cornwall, England is established. The submarine USS Pompano (SS-181) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific.
• October 16 - Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 31 is sunk by Army aircraft off of New Britain.
• October 17 - The German raider Schiff No. 28 (Michel) is sunk by the submarine USS Tarpon (SS-175) off Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands.
• October 19 - The Moscow Conference, attended by the Secretary of State and British and Russian foreign ministers, convenes and continues until the end of October.
• October 20 - The German submarine U-378 is sunk by aircraft (VC-13) from the escort carrier USS Core (CVE-13) in the north Atlantic.
• October 24 - The submarine USS Dorado (SS-248) is reported as presumed lost in the Atlantic. The Japanese destroyer Mochizuki is sunk by naval land-based aircraft east of New Britain.
• October 27 - US troops land on Mono and Stirling Islands in the Treasury Island Group in the Solomons. The destroyer USS Cony (DD-508) is damaged by a horizontal bomber off the Treasury Islands. LST-399 and LST-485 are damaged by coastal mortar fire in the Solomons.
• October 28 - The German submarine U-220 is sunk by aircraft (VC-1) from the escort carrier USS Block Island (CVE-21) in the north Atlantic.
• October 31 - The German submarine U-584 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11) in the north Atlantic.
• November 1 - An amphibious force under Rear Admiral Wilkinson lands the First Marine Amphibious Corps under Lt. General Vandegrift at Cape Torokina, Bougainville in the Solomons. The assault is covered by aircraft and destroyer gunfire. A cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Merrill and a carrier task force under Rear Admiral A.S. Sherman shell and bomb Japanese airfields and installations in the Buka-Bonis area in the Solomons. Rear Admiral Merrill's force later bombards Japanese airfields on Shortland Island, also in the Solomons. The destroyer USS Fullam (DD-474) is grounded in the Solomons. The German submarine U-405 is sunk by the destroyer USS Borie (DD-215) in the north Atlantic.
• November 2 - Battle of Empress Augusta Bay. A task force consisting of 4 light cruisers and 8 destroyers under Rear Admiral Merrill intercepts a Japanese force of 2 heavy and 2 light cruisers and 6 destroyers steaming to attack transports at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville in the Solomons. The Japanese force is turned back. The light cruiser USS Montpelier (CL-57) is damaged by a dive bomber and the light cruiser USS Denver (CL-58) by naval gunfire. The destroyers USS Foote (DD-511) is damaged by a torpedo from a surface craft and the destroyers USS Spence (DD-512) and USS Thatcher (DD-514) are damaged in a collision. The Japanese light cruiser Sendai and destroyer Hatsukaze are sunk and the two Japanese heavy cruisers and two other destroyers are damaged. A carrier task force under Rear Admiral Sherman attacks Japanese airfields in the Buka area in the Solomons. The destroyer USS Borie is sunk by damage from an intentional ramming and gunfire in an encounter with U-405 on November 1.
• November 4 - Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 30 is sunk by the submarine USS Tautog (SS-199) off the Palau Islands and the survey ship Tsukushi is sunk by a mine off New Ireland.
• November 5 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Sherman bomb Japanese warships at Rabaul, New Britain. PT-167 is damaged by an aircraft torpedo in the Solomons. The German submarine U-848 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-107) and Army aircraft in the south Atlantic.
• November 6 - The destroyer USS Beatty (DD-640) is sunk by an aircraft torpedo off of northwest Africa. Japanese submarine chaser No. 11 is sunk by aircraft in the Solomons. The Russians re-capture Kiev.
• November 7 - Japanese troops, transported by destroyers, land near Cape Torokina, Bougainville in the Solomons.
• November 8 - The US Advanced Amphibious Training base at Plymouth, England is established. The light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62) and attack transports USS Fuller (APA-7) and USS President Jackson (APA-18) are damaged by dive bombers at Cape Torokina in the Solomons.
• November 9 - The submarine USS Wahoo (SS-238) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean Area.
• November 10 - The German submarine U-966 is sunk by US naval land-based aircraft (VB-103) and Czechoslovakian aircraft off of northwest Spain.
• November 11 - Aircraft from 2 carrier task groups, which include 5 carriers, under Rear Admirals Sherman and Montgomery attack Japanese ships at Rabaul, New Britain. The destroyer Suzanamiis sunk.
• November 12 - The German submarine U-508 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-103) in the Bay of Biscay.
• November 13 - Carrier and land-based aircraft begin daily bombings of Japanese positions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands personnel and supplies at Paluan Bay, Mindoro in the Philippines. A cruiser and destroyer task force under Rear Admiral Merrill is attacked by Japanese aircraft off Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville in the Solomons. The light cruiser USS Denver (CL-58) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo.
• November 15 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies and evacuates personnel from Nasipit, Mindanao in the Philippines. The US Advanced Naval Base and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility at Funafuti, Ellice Island is established.
• November 16 - The Japanese minelayer Ukishimais sunk by a submarine torpedo off of Japanese.
• November 17 - Destroyers bombard the Japanese airfield at Buka, Bougainville in the Solomons. Japanese aircraft attack the convoy carrying Marine reinforcements to Torokina, Bougainville. The high speed transport USS McKean (APD-5) is sunk by an aircraft torpedo. The submarine USS Capelin (SS-289) departs Darwin, Australia for the Molucca and Celebes Seas and is never heard from again.
• November 18 - PT-311 is sunk by a mine off of Corsica. The Japanese destroyer Sanae is sunk by the submarine USS Bluefish (SS-222) in the Celebes Sea. The British stage a large air raid on Berlin.
• November 19 - The submarine USS Sculpin (SS-191) is sunk by destroyer gunfire in the central Pacific. PT-147 is damaged by grounding and sunk by US forces in the eastern New Guinea area. Submarine chaser SC-1067 founders and sinks off Attu in the Aleutians. The submarine USS Nautilus is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire in the Gilberts.
• November 20 - A Naval, Marine and Army force lands on Tarawa and Makin in the Gilberts. The operation is under the overall command of Commander Central Pacific Force, Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. Bitter resistance is encountered on Tarawa. US naval vessels damaged in the Gilberts include the battleship USS Mississippi(BB-41), by accidental explosion; the light carrier USS Independence(CVL-22), by aircraft torpedo; the destroyer USS Ringgold (DD-500), by coastal batteries on Tarawa; and the destroyer USS Dashiell(DD-659)by grounding.
• November 21 - The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands a Marine reconnaissance company on Abemba in the Gilberts.
• November 22 - The destroyer USS Frazier (DD-607) is damaged by the intentional ramming of the Japanese submarine I-35, which is sunk with the help of the destroyer USS Meade (DD-602),in the Gilberts.
• November 23 - Betio, Tarawa Atoll and Makin in the Gilberts are declared secured. A cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Merrill bombards the Buka-Bonis area, Bougainville in the Solomons. PT-322 is grounded and sunk in the eastern New Guinea area. The Japanese frigate Wakamiya is sunk by the submarine USS Gudgeon (SS-211) in the East China Sea.
• November 24 - The carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) is commissioned at Quincy, Massachusetts. This vessel is named for the carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) which was sunk on September 15, 1942 near Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. The escort carrier USS Liscombe Bay (CVE-56) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Gilberts.
• November 25 - Battle of Cape St. George. A squadron of 5 destroyers under Captain A.A. Burke intercepts 5 Japanese destroyers off Cape St. George, New Ireland. The Japanese destroyers Onami, Makinami and Yugiri are sunk and one other is damaged. US ships suffer no damage. Carrier-based aircraft bomb Kavieng, New Ireland. The US Advanced Amphibious Base at Salcombe, Devonshire, England is established. The Japanese submarine I-19 is sunk by the destroyer USS Radford (DD-446) north of the Gilberts.
• November 26 - US Naval Air Facilities are established at Amapa, Aratu and Belem, Brazil. US Naval Air Facilities (Lighter than Air) are established at Fernando Noronha, Fortaleza and Ipitanga in Brazil. The First Cairo conference, in session since the 22nd, ends.
• November 29 - The carrier USS Hornet (CV-12) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia. This vessel is named for the carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) which was sunk on October 27, 1942 after the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. The destroyer USS Perkins(DD-377) is sunk by a collision with an Australian troop ship in the eastern New Guinea area. The German submarine U-86 is sunk by aircraft (VC-19) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) east of the Azores.
• November 30 - Destroyers bombard Japanese positions on Empress August Bay, Bougainville in the Solomons.
• December 1 - The Teheran Conference, in session since November 28, ends. The Naval Air Ferry Command is established.
• December 2 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands ammunition and stores, and evacuates personnel from Mindanao in the Philippines. The gasoline tanker USS Aroostook (AOG-14) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Italian area.
• December 3 - The US Naval Air Facility at Sao Luiz, Brazil is established.
• December 4 - Aircraft from a task force, which includes six carriers, under Rear Admiral Pownall bomb Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls in the Marshall. The carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo. The light cruiser USS Mobile (CL-63)is damaged by an accidental explosion. The destroyer USS Taylor (DD-468) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire.
• December 5 - Destroyers bombard the Choiseul Bay area of Choiseul Island in the Solomons.
• December 6 - General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named commander of Allied Expeditionary Force for the invasion of Europe.
• December 8 - A task group including carriers, battleships and destroyers under Rear Admiral W.A. Lee bombs Nauru Island. The destroyer USS Boyd (DD-544) is damaged by coastal defense batteries.
• December 10 - The destroyer USS Sigourney (DD-643) is damaged by grounding in the Solomons.
• December 12 - The German submarine U-172 is sunk by aircraft (VC-19) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) and the destroyers USS Badger (DD-126), USS Dupont (DD-152), USS Clemson (DD-186) and USS Ingraham (DD-694).
• December 13 - The submarine USS Pompon (SS-267) lays mines southwest of Cochin, China. The German submarine U-593 is sunk by the destroyer USS Wainwright (DD-419) and a British surface craft in the Mediterranean.
• December 14 - The US Naval Air Facility at Maceio, Brazil is established. PT-239 is sunk by accidental fire in the Solomons.
• December 15 - Army troops land on Arawe Peninsula, New Britain. The US Naval Operating Base in the Treasury Islands is established.
• December 16 - The Japanese submarine I-179 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-52) off New Britain. The German submarine U-73 is sunk by the destroyers USS Trippe (DD-403) and USS Woolsey (DD-437).
• December 17 - The coastal transport APC-21 is sunk by a dive bomber off New Britain. The motor minesweeper YMS-50 is damaged by a horizontal bomber off New Britain.
• December 18 - The submarine USS Cabrilla (SS-288) lays mines off of Cambodia, Indochina.
• December 19 - The Japanese destroyer Namukaze is sunk by the submarine USS Grayback (SS-208) off the Ryukyu Islands.
• December 20 - Destroyers bombard Japanese positions on the northeastern coast of Bougainville in the Solomons. The Naval Air Training Command is established at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. The Japanese destroyer Fuyo is sunk by the submarine USS Puffer (SS-268) in the Philippines. The German submarine U-850 is sunk by aircraft (VC-19) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) in the mid-Atlantic.
• December 21 - Naval aircraft from Attu in the Aleutians bomb the Paramushiro- Shimushu area of the Kurile Islands. The coastal transport APC-2 is sunk by a dive bomber off New Britain.
• December 22-24 - The Russians launch an offensive on the Ukrainian front.
• December 23 - The submarine USS Corvina (SS-226) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The Japanese submarine I-39 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Griswold (DE-7) in the Solomons. The Japanese gunboat Nanyo is sunk by aircraft.
• December 24 - A task force of 3 cruisers and four destroyers under Rear Admiral Merrill bombard the Buka-Bunis area of the Solomons. The destroyer USS Leary (DD-158) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the north Atlantic. The German submarine U-645 is sunk by the destroyer USS Schenck (DD-159) in the north Atlantic. The US Advanced Amphibious Base at Dartmouth, England is established.
• December 25 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Sherman bomb Kavieng, New Ireland.
• December 26 - The 1st Marine Division, under Major General W.H. Rupertus, is landed at Cape Gloucester, New Britain by the Seventh Amphibious Force, under Rear Admiral Barbey, after a heavy pre-invasion bombardment and bombing by naval gunfire and aircraft. The destroyer USS Brownson (DD-518) is sunk by a dive bomber. The destroyers USS Lamson (DD-367), USS Shaw (DD-373) and USS Mugford (DD-389) are damaged by dive bombers. LST-66 is damaged by a horizontal bomber.
• December 27 - Two cruisers and four destroyers under Rear Admiral Ainsworth bombard the Kieta area, Bougainville in the Solomons. The coastal transport APC-15 is damaged by a dive bomber off New Britain.
• December 28 - The Amphibious Training Base at Kamaole, Maui is established.
• December 30 - Naval aircraft from Attu in the Aleutians, bomb the Paramushiro- Shimushu area of the Kurile Islands.

• January 1 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Sherman bomb a Japanese convoy escorted by cruisers and destroyers off Kavieng, New Ireland. Naval Air Facility at Honolulu, Oahu is established. The destroyers USS Smith (DD-378) and USS Hutchings (DD-476) are damaged in a collision in the eastern New Guinea area. LST-446is damaged by an accidental explosion in the Solomons.
• January 2 - Army troops land at Saidor, New Guinea under the cover of cruisers and destroyers commanded by Rear Admiral Barbey.
• January 3 - The submarine USS Bluefish (SS-222) lays mines off the eastern Malayan coast. The destroyer USS Turner (DD-648) is sunk by an explosion in the Ambrose Channel, New York Harbor.
• January 4 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Sherman bomb Japanese shipping at Kavieng, New Ireland. The submarine USS Rasher (SS-269) lays mines off Cochin, China. PT-145 is damaged by grounding and sunk by US forces.
• January 6 - The gunboat USS St. Augustine (PG-54) is sunk by a collision off of North Carolina. Russian troops advance into Poland.
• January 8 - A cruiser and destroyer task force under Rear Admiral Ainsworth bombards Japanese shore installations on Faisi, Poporand and Shortland Islands in the Solomons.
• January 9 - The German submarine U-81 is sunk by Army aircraft at Pola, Italy.
• January 10 - The motor minesweeper YMS-127 is grounded and sunk in the Aleutians.
• January 11 - Naval land-based aircraft, under Rear Admiral J.H. Hoover, from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands bomb Japanese shipping and installations at Kwajalein in the Marshalls.
• January 12 - The US Naval Air Station at Port Lyautey, French Morocco is established.
• January 14 - The fuel oil barge (self-propelled) YO-159 is damaged by a submarine torpedo and sunk by US forces in the south Pacific. The Japanese destroyer Sazanami is sunk by the submarine USS Albacore (SS-218) in the Central Pacific.
• January 15 - The submarine USS Crevalle (SS-291) lays mines east of Saigon, French Indochina.
• January 16 - The German submarine U-544 is sunk by aircraft (VC-13) from the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) in the mid-Atlantic.
• January 17 - Allies launch first attack toward Cassino, Italy.
• January 19 - Naval land-based aircraft from Attu in the Aleutians bomb the Paramushiro- Shimushu area of the Kurile Islands. Similar attacks are made on three succeeding nights.
• January 20 - The submarine USS Tinosa (SS-283) lands personnel and equipment in northeast Borneo. LST-288 is grounded and sunk in the Azores.
• January 22 - A combined US-British Army force under the command of Major General J.P. Lucas, USA, lands at the Anzio-Nettuno area of Italy. Naval gunfire continues to support the troops ashore during the 3-month struggle for the beachhead. The minesweeper USS Portent (AM-106) is sunk by a mine at Anzio, Italy. The oiler USS Cache (AO-67) is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the south Pacific. The Japanese submarine RO-37 is sunk by the destroyer USS Buchanan (DD-484) in the south Pacific. Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 40 is sunk by Army aircraft off the Admiralty Islands.
• January 24 - US Naval vessels damaged at Anzio, Italy include the destroyer s USS Plunkett (DD-431), by a dive bomber; and USS Mayo (DD-422), by an external explosion; and the minesweeper USS Prevail (AM-107) by horizontal bomber.
• January 25 - The motor minesweeper YMS-30 is sunk by a mine at Anzio, Italy.
• January 26 - A cruiser and destroyer task group under Rear Admiral Berkey bombards Japanese installations in the Madang-Alexischafen area of New Guinea. PT-11 is sunk in a collision off New Britain which damages PT-114. The Japanese destroyer Suzukaze is sunk by the submarine USS Skipjack (SS-184) in the Carolines. Japanese submarine chaser No. 14 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft in the central Pacific.
• January 27 - The siege of Leningrad ends after 900 days.
• January 28 - The German submarine U-271 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-103) in the north Atlantic.
• January 29 - Aircraft from a fast carrier force under Rear Admiral M.A. Mitscher begin a series of strikes to destroy Japanese air power and shipping in the Marshalls. Attacks continue daily until February 6. The submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287) lays mines off the southeastern coast of Borneo. The ocean tug ATR-1 is damaged by a horizontal bomber at Anzio, Italy.
• January 30 - Naval land-based aircraft from Midway Island bomb Wake Island. The destroyer USS Anderson (DD-411) is damaged by a coastal defense gun in the Marshalls. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 18, 19, 21 and 28 are sunk by aircraft and surface vessels in the Marshalls.
• January 31 - Marines and Army troops under Major General H.M. Smith, USMC, land on Kwajalein and Majro Atolls in the Marshalls. The operation is under the overall command of Commander Central Pacific Force Vice Admiral Spruance and is composed of Southern Attack Force under Rear Admiral R.K. Turner, Northern Attack Force under Rear Admiral R.L. Conolly, and Reserve Force and Majuro Attack Group under Rear Admiral H.W. Hill. Landings are supported by carrier-based aircraft under Rear Admiral M.A. Mitscher and land-based aircraft under Rear Admiral Hoover. Aircraft from a fast carrier group under Rear Admiral 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 Admiral S.P. Ginder's carrier group through February 7. The carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia. The heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28) is damaged by naval gunfire and the destroyer USS Colahan (DD-658) is damaged by grounding, both during the Marshall Islands' invasion. The cargo ship USS Enceladus (AK-80) is damaged by a storm in the Solomons. The Japanese submarine I-171 is sunk by the destroyers USS Guest (DD-472) and USS Hudson (DD-475) in the Bismarck Archipelago area. The Japanese minelayer Nasami is sunk by the submarine USS Trigger (SS-237) and auxiliary submarine chaser No. 33 is sunk by aircraft, both in the central Pacific.
• February 1 - The invasion of the Marshall Islands continues as Marines land on Roi and Namu Islands, and Army troops land on Kwajalein Island under cover of heavy naval gunfire from battleships, cruisers and destroyers. US naval vessels damaged during the invasions include the destroyer USS Anderson (DD-411) by grounding and the destroyer USS Haggard (DD-555) by accidental explosion. The command designated Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Oahu is established. Vice Admiral R.K. Turner, Commander Fifth Amphibious Force, is ordered to assume this command as an additional duty. The US Naval Base at Finschhafen, New Guinea, is established. The Japanese destroyer Umidaze is sunk by the submarine USS Guardfish (SS-217) in the Carolines. The Japanese submarine RO-39 is sunk by the destroyer USS Walker (DD-517) in the Marshalls.
• February 2 - Roi and Namur Islands in the Marshalls are secured. The battleships USS Washington (BB-56) and USS Indiana (BB-58) are damaged in a collision in the Marshall Islands operation.
• February 3 - Cruiser and destroyer gunfire supports the landing of Army troops on Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshalls. The destroyer USS Claxton (DD-571) is damaged by a coastal defense gun in the Solomons. The minesweeper USS Chief is damaged by grounding in the Marshalls.
• February 4 - Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral W.D. Baker bombard Japanese installations at Paramushiro in the Kurile Islands.
• February 5 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) delivers supplies and evacuates personnel from near Libertad, Panay in the Philippines. The Japanese submarine I-21 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Fair (DE-35) in the Marshalls.
• February 6 - The German submarine U-177 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-107) in the south Atlantic.
• February 7 - Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshalls is declared secured. The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) delivers supplies and evacuates personnel from near Balatong Point, Negros in the Philippines.
• February 8 - The destroyer USS Ludlow (DD-438) is damaged by a coastal defense gun in the Italian area.
• February 10 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral S.P. Ginder bomb Japanese installations on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls. Similar attacks are made on February 11 and 12. LST-170 is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the eastern New Guinea area. The Japanese destroyer Minekaze is sunk by the submarine USS Pogy (SS-266) off of Formosa.
• February 11 - PT-279 is sunk in a collision with PT-282 in the Solomons.
• February 12 - Marines land on Arno Atoll in the Marshalls. This begins a series of "mopping-up" operations in minor atolls in the Marshalls. Japanese aircraft bomb and destroy supply concentrations on the Roi Islands in the Marshalls. The submarine rescue vessel USS Macaw (ASR-11) is sunk by grounding at the entrance to the Midway Channel.
• February 14 - The light cruiser USS St. Louis (CL-49) is damaged by a dive bomber in the Bismarch Archipelago.
• February 15 - The US Third Amphibious Force, under R.A. Wilkinson, lands New Zealand troops in the Green Islands off of New Ireland. The operation is covered by cruisers, destroyers and aircraft based in the Solomons. The command designated Central Pacific Forward Area, under R.A. Hoover, is established. Rear Admiral Hoover flies his flag in the seaplane tender USS Curtiss (AV-4). Naval aircraft from Abemama in the Gilberts bomb Wake Island. The destroyer escort USS Herbert C. Jones (DE-137) is damaged by a radio-controlled bomb at Anzio, Italy. The Japanese submarine I-43 is sunk by the submarine USS Aspro (SS-309) in the central Pacific. The Japanese submarine RO-40 is sunk by the destroyer USS Phelps (DD-360) and the minesweeper USS Sage (AM-111) in the Marshalls. Allies bomb Monte Cassino, destroying the landmark monastery.
• February 16 - Aircraft from the carrier group under Rear Admiral Ginder bomb Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls. The Japanese light cruiser Agano is sunk by the submarine USS Skate (SS-305) in the central Pacific. The Japanese submarine chasers No.s 16 and 39 are sunk by Army aircraft north of New Ireland. German forces counter-attack against the Anzio beachhead.
• February 17 - A naval task force under Vice Admiral Spruance, which includes 9 carriers and 6 battleships, strikes Japanese installations and vessels at Truk in the Carolines. The attack is repeated on the 18th. During the operation, the carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo and the Japanese lose the light cruiser Naka, the training cruiser Katori and the destroyers Maikaze, Oite and Tachikaze. Japanese minesweeper No. 26 is sunk by aircraft at Rabaul, New Britain. The Japanese submarine I-11 is sunk by the destroyer USS Nicholas (DD-449) in the Marshalls and the submarine chaser No. 24 is sunk by the destroyer USS Burns (DD-588).
• February 18 - Marines and Army forces land on Engebi Iland, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls. Preliminary landings are made on the 17th on several nearby islets. The operation is under the command of Rear Admiral H.W. Hill and is supported by naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. Destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Kavieng, New Ireland and Rabaul, New Britain. The tug YT-198 is sunk by a mine in the Italian area. The minesweeper USS Pilot (AM-104) is damaged in a collision in the Italian area. The Japanese destroyer Fumizuki and submarine chaser No. 49 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft at Truk in the Carolines.
• February 19 - Marines and Army troops, supported by naval bombardment, land on Eniwetok Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls. Army, Marine and naval land-based aircraft heavily attack the airfield and other Japanese installations at Rabaul, New Britain. This area is repeatedly bombed, and after this date, the Japanese abandon air defense of Rabaul. Motor torpedo boats engage a German convoy southeast of Elba. Allied cruiser and destroyer gunfire supports US positions at Anzio, Italy. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 22, 34 and 40 are sunk by Army aircraft off of New Ireland.
• February 20 - A carrier task group under Rear Admiral J.W. Reeves bombs Japanese installations on Jaluit Atoll in the Marshalls. LST-348 is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Italian area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 48 is sunk by Army aircraft off of New Ireland.
• February 22 - Marines land on Perry Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls, under cover of a naval bombardment and carrier aircraft bombing. This operation completes US control of Eniwetok Atoll. Destroyers bombard Japanese airstrips, pier area and anchorages at Kavieng, New Ireland. The submarine USS Ray (SS-271) lays mines off of Saigon, French Indochina. PT-200 is sunk by a collision with an unknown object off of Long Island, New York. The Japanese minelayer Natsushima and tug Nagaura are sunk by destroyers off of New Ireland.
• February 23 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Rear Admiral Mitscher bomb Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam in a first strike against the Marianas Islands.
• February 24 - The destroyers USS Buchanan (DD-484) and USS Farenholt (DD-491) are damaged by coastal defense guns north of New Ireland. The German submarine U-761 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-63 and VB-127), British aircraft and surface vessels off of Gibraltar.
• February 25 - Destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Kavieng, new Ireland and Rabaul, New Britain.
• February 26 - PT-251 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Solomons. LST-349 is grounded and sunk in the Italian area.
• February 28 - The destroyer USS Abner Read (DD-526) is damaged by grounding in the eastern New Guinea area.
• February 29 - A destroyer task group under Rear Admiral W.M. Fechteler lands Army troops on Los Negros Island in the Admiralties. Destroyers bombard the wharf area and buildings at Rabaul, New Britain.
• March 1 - The US Naval Base at Milne Bay, New Guinea and the Naval Auxiliary Air Facility at Tanaga, Alaska are established. The German submarine U-603 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Bronstein (DE-189) in the north Atlantic. The German submarine U-709 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Thomas (DE-102) and USS Bostwick (DE-103) in the north Atlantic.
• March 2 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) delivers ammunition and supplies and evacuates personnel from Butuan Bay, Nasipit, Mindanao in the Philippines.
• March 3 - Roosevelt announces that the Italian fleet will be distributed among the US, Britain and Russia. The Japanese river boat Karatsu is sunk by the submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) in the Philippines.
• March 4 - Army and naval land-based aircraft attack Choiseul Island in the Solomons. An Allied task force under Rear Admiral V.A.C. Crutchley, RN, including 2 US cruisers and 4 destroyers, bombards Japanese shore batteries and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands in the Admiralties. The bombardment is repeated on March 6 and 7. Russian troops begin an offensive on the Belarussian front. The Allies stage the first major daylight bombing raid on Berlin.
• March 5 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) delivers cargo and evacuates personnel from Tawi Tawi in the Philippines.
• March 6 - The submarine USS Scorpion (SS-278) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean. The destroyer USS Nicholson is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Bismarck Archipelago.
• March 7 - PT-337 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the eastern New Guinea area.
• March 8 -Japanese aircraft attack the US position on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls.
• March 9 - The US Naval Air Facility (Lighter than Air) is established at Santa Cruz, Brazil. The destroyer escort USS Leopold (DE-319) is sunk by submarine torpedo south of Iceland.
• March 10 - The submarine chaser SC-700 is sunk by fire at Vella Lavella in the Solomons.
• March 11 - The German submarines U-380 and U-410 are sunk by Army aircraft near Toulon, France.
• March 13 - The Japanese light cruiser Tatsuta is sunk by the submarine USS Sandlance (SS-381) off of Honshu, Japan. The German submarine U-575 is sunk by aircraft (VC-95) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9), the destroyer USS Hobson (DD-464), the destroyer escort USS Haverfield (DE-393), British aircraft and a Canadian vessel in the north Atlantic.
• March 15 - Allied forces make a second attempt to capture Monte Cassino.
• March 16 - The Japanese destroyer Shirakumo is sunk by the submarine USS Tautog (SS-199) off of Japan. The German submarine U-392 is sunk by Naval land-based aircraft (VP-63) and British surface craft in the western Mediterranean. The German submarine U-801 is sunk by aircraft (VC-6) from the escort carrier USS Block Island (CVE-21), the destroyer USS Corry (DD-463) and the destroyer escort USS Bronstein (DE-189) west of the Cape Verde Islands.
• March 17 - PT-283 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Solomons.
• March 18 - A task group including a carrier, two battleships and destroyers under Rear Admiral Lee bombs and bombards Japanese installations on Mili Island in the Marshalls. The battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) is damaged by a coastal defense gun. Destroyers bombard the Japanese in the Wewak area of New Guinea. The bombardment continues on the 19th. The British drop 3000 tons of bombs during a bombing raid on Hamburg.
• March 19 - The German submarine U-1059 is sunk by aircraft (VC-6) from the escort carrier USS Block Island (CVE-21) in the Atlantic. German forces occupy Hungary.
• March 20 - A naval attack group under Commodore L.F. Reifsnider lands the 4th Marine Division, under Brigadier General A.H. Noble, on Emirau Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. A task force including four battleships, two escort carriers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Griffin bombards and bombs Kavieng, New Ireland. The submarine USS Angler (SS-240) evacuates 58 persons, including women and children, from the west coast of Panay in the Philippines. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 47 and 49 are sunk by Army aircraft north of New Guinea.
• March 23 - Destroyers bombard Japanese installations on the Mussau Islands in the St. Matthias group in the Bismarck Archipelago. The US Naval Air Facility at Dunkeswell, England is established. The Japanese submarine I-42 is sunk by the submarine USS Tunny (SS-282) off the Palau Islands.
• March 24 - The Japanese submarine I-32 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Manlove (DE-36) and the submarine chaser PC-1135 in the Marshalls.
• March 25 - Japanese submarine chaser No. 54 is sunk by the submarine USS Pollack (SS-180) north of the Bonin Islands.
• March 26 - The submarine USS Tullibee (SS-284) is sunk, probably by a circular run of her own torpedoes, north of the Palau Islands in the Carolines.
• March 27 - PT-121 and PT-353 are accidentally sunk by a friendly bomber in the Bismarck Archipelago. PT-207 is damaged by naval gunfire in the Italian area.
• March 28 - Destroyers bombard Japanese positions on Kapingamarangi Atoll, north of New Ireland.
• March 30 - Fast carrier forces under Commander Fifth Fleet Admiral Spruance commence intensive bombing of Japanese airfields, shipping, fleet service facilities and other installations at Palau, Yap, Ulithi and Woleai in the Carolines. The following Japanese vessels are sunk at Palau: repair ship Akashi; oilers Ose, Sata and Iro; submarine chasers No.s 6 and 26; auxiliary submarine chasers No.s 22 and 53; and patrol boat No. 31. Extensive minefields are planted by carrier-based aircraft in and around the channels and approaches to the Palau Islands. Attacks continue until April 1. The submarine USS Grayback (SS-208) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The submarine USS Tunney (SS-282) is accidentally damaged by friendly aircraft off the Palau Islands.
• March 31 - The old Japanese destroyer Wakatake is sunk by carrier-based aircraft off the Palau Islands in the Carolines.
• April 4 - The destroyer USS Hall (DD-583) is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Marshalls.
• April 5 - The Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 46 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Carolines.
• April 7 - The German submarine U-856 is sunk by the destroyer USS Champlin (DD-601) and the destroyer escort DE-145 in the north Atlantic. USS Champlin is damaged by ramming and gunfire during the encounter. The Japanese submarine I-2 is sunk by the destroyer USS Saufley (DD-465) north of New Ireland.
• April 8 - Russian troops begin an offensive to liberate the Crimea.
• April 9 - The submarine chaser SC-984 is grounded and sunk in the New Hebrides. The German submarine U-515 is sunk by aircraft (VC-58) from the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) and destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury (DE-133), USS Pope (DE-134), USS Flaherty (DE-135) and USS Chatelin (DE-149) off Madeira Island.
• April 10 - The German submarine U-68 is sunk by aircraft (VC-58) from the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) off Madeira Island. Russian forces capture Odessa.
• April 11 - The destroyer escort USS Holder (DE-401) is sunk by submarine torpedo in the western Mediterranean. The Japanese destroyer Akigumo is sunk by the submarine USS Redfin (SS-272) in the Celebes Sea.
• April 12 - PT-135 is damaged by grounding and sunk by US forces in the Bismarck Archipelago. The rescue tug ATR-98 is sunk by collision in the Azores.
• April 13 - The Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi is sunk by the submarine USS Harder (SS-257) in the central Pacific.
• April 15 - Alaskan Sea Frontier under Vice Admiral Fletcher with headquarters at Adak in the Aleutians and the Seventeenth Naval District under Rear Admiral F.E.M. Whiting with temporary headquarters at Adak and permanent headquarters at Kodiak, Alaska are established. US Naval Base at Abemama in the Gilberts is established. The carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) is commissioned at Fore River, Massachusetts.
• April 16 - The battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) is commissioned at Philadelphia. The German submarine U-550 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Peterson (DE-152), USS Joyce (DE-317) and USS Gandy (DE-764) in the north Atlantic. The USS Gandy is damaged while intentionally ramming the U-boat.
• April 17 - The submarine USS Trout (SS-202) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The German submarine U-986 is sunk by the minesweeper USS Swift (AM-122) and submarine chaser PC-619 in the north Atlantic.
• April 19 - An Allied naval force under Admiral J.F. Sommerville, RN, and including the carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) and three US destroyers, strikes enemy positions at Sabang in the Netherlands East Indies.
• April 20 - The destroyer USS Landsdale (DD-426) is sunk by an aircraft torpedo in the western Mediterranean. The Japanese submarine RO-45 is sunk by the submarine USS Seahorse (SS-304) off the Marianas Islands.
• April 21 - A naval task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher, including carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, bombs and bombards Japanese airfields and defensive positions at the Hollandia, Wadke, Sawar and Sari areas of New Guinea. Attacks continue on the 22nd.
• April 22 - Army forces land at Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay and Humbolt Bay in New Guinea. The operation is under the command of Rear Admiral Barbey and supported by gunfire and carrier-based aircraft from Vice Admiral Mitscher's carrier task force. The submarine USS Redfin (SS-272) lays mines off Sarawak, Borneo.
• April 23 - The Japanese destroyer Amagiri is sunk by a mine in Makassar Strait in the Netherlands East Indies.
• April 26 - The Japanese submarine I-180 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Gilmore (DE-18) in the north Pacific. The German submarine U-488 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Frost (DE-144), USS Huse (DE-145), USS Barber (DE-161) and USS Snowden (DE-246) in the mid-Atlantic.
• April 27 - The cargo ship USS Etamin (AK-93) is sunk by aircraft torpedo in the western New Guinea area. The Japanese light cruiser Yubari is sunk by the submarine USS Bluegill (SS-242) southwest of the Palau Islands. The Japanese minelayer Kamone is sunk by the submarine USS Halibut (SS-232) off the Ryukyu Islands.
• April 28 - Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox dies in Washington. LST-507 and LST-531 are sunk by torpedoes from surface craft in the English Channel. The Japanese submarine I-183 is sunk by the submarine USS Pogy (SS-266) off Kyushu, Japan.
• April 29 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher, including twelve carriers, commence a 2-day bombing attack on Japanese shipping, oil and ammunition dumps, aircraft facilities and other installations at Truk in the Carolines. PT-346 and PT-347 are accidentally sunk by friendly aircraft in the Bismarck Archipelago. The Japanese submarine I-174 is sunk by aircraft from the light carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26) and destroyers USS MacDonough (DD-351) and USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) in the Carolines. The Japanese river gunboat Tahure is sunk by the submarine USS Flasher (SS-249) in the South China Sea. The German submarine U-421 is sunk by Army aircraft near Toulon, France.
• April 30 - A cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Oldendorf bombards Japanese positions on Satawan Island, Namoi Group in the Carolines.
• May 1 - A battleship and carrier group under Vice Admiral Lee bombards and bombs the wharf area, Japanese seaplane base and other facilities on Ponape Island in the Carolines.
• May 2 - The destroyer USS Parrott (DD-218) is damaged in a collision off Norfolk, Virginia.
• May 3 - The destroyer escort USS Donnell (DE-56) is damaged by submarine torpedo in the north Atlantic. The destroyer escort USS Menges (DE-320) is damaged by submarine torpedo in the western Mediterranean.
• May 4 - US Naval Base and Naval Air Facility at Majuro Atoll in the Marshalls are established. The German submarine U-371 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Joseph E. Campbell and USS Pride (DE-323) and British and French surface craft in the western Mediterranean.
• May 5 - Admiral S. Toyoda's appointment as Commander in Chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet is announced. He succeeds Admiral Koga, killed in an airplane crash on March 31, 1944. The destroyer escort USS Fechteler (DE-157) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the western Mediterranean. PT-247 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Solomons.
• May 6 - The destroyer escort USS Buckley (DE-51) is damaged by the intentional ramming of a German U-boat in the mid-Atlantic.
• May 8 - The carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia.
• May 9 - The submarine chaser PC-558 is sunk by submarine torpedo. Russian troops re-capture Sevastopol.
• May 10 - The US Naval Base at Eniwetok in the Marshalls is established. The old Japanese destroyer Karukaya is sunk by the submarine USS Cod (SS-224) in the Philippines.
• May 11 - The submarine USS Crevalle (SS-291) evacuates 28 women and children from Negros in the Philippines. The US Naval Advanced Amphibious Base at Southampton, England is established. Allied forces attack the Gustav Line.
• May 12 - German forces in the Crimea surrender.
• May 13 - Naval land-based and Army aircraft stage a heavy bombing attack on Japanese installations on Jaluit Atoll in the Marshalls. The attack continues on the 14th. The Japanese submarine RO-501 (ex-German U-1224) is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Francis M. Robinson (DE-220) in the mid-Atlantic.
• May 14 - The Japanese destroyer Inazuma is sunk by the submarine USS Bonefish (SS-223) in the Celebes Sea.
• May 15 - The US Naval Air Bases at Ebeye and Roi-Namur on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshalls are established. The German submarine U-731 is sunk by US naval land-based aircraft (VP-63) and British surface craft in the western Mediterranean. The Germans withdraw to the Adolf Hitler Line.
• May 16 - The Japanese submarine I-176 is sunk by the destroyers USS Franks (DD-554) and USS Haggard (DD-555) north of the Solomons.
• May 17 - Army troops land at the Wakde-Toem are of New Guinea, preceded by a cruiser and destroyer bombardment commanded by Rear Admiral Berkey. An Allied task force under Admiral Somerville, including the carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3), bombs Japanese shipping and harbor installations at Surabaya, Java. Destroyers bombard Japanese defenses on Eniben Island, Maleolap Atoll in the Marshalls. The German submarine U-616 is sunk by the destroyers USS Gleaves (DD-423), USS Hilary P. Jones (DD-427), USS Ellyson (DD-454), USS Hambleton (DD-455), USS Rodman (DD-456), USS Emmons (DD-457), USS Macomb (DD-458) and USS Nields (DD-616) and British aircraft in the western Mediterranean.
• May 18 - The US Naval Base and Naval Air Station at Manu Island in the Admiralties are established.
• May 19 - James Forrestal, Under Secretary of the Navy since 1940, becomes Secretary of the Navy. Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Montgomery bomb Marcus Island. The attack continues on the 20th. The Japanese submarine I-16 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) in the Solomons. The German submarine U-960 is sunk by the destroyers USS Niblack (DD-424) and USS Ludlow (DD-438) and British aircraft in the western Mediterranean.
• May 21 - Naval land-based and Army aircraft heavily attack Japanese positions on Wotje Atoll in the Marshalls. LST 43, LST 69, LST 179, LST 353 and LST 480 are sunk by an accidental explosion at Pearl Harbor
• May 22 - Destroyers bombard Japanese installations in the Wotje Atoll in the Marshalls. The Japanese destroyer Asanagi is sunk by the submarine USS Pollack (SS-180) southeast of Japan. The Japanese submarine RO-106 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) north of the Bismarck Archipelago.
• May 23 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Montgomery bomb building and other targets on Wake Island. The light cruiser USS Philadelphia (CL-41) and destroyer USS Laub (DD-613) are damaged in a collision in the Italian area. The Japanese submarine RO-104 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS England (DE-653) north of the Bismarck Archipelago.
• May 24 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on Samar in the Philippines. The Japanese submarine RO-116 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) north of the Bismarck Archipelago. The Japanese frigate Iki is sunk by the submarine USS Raton (SS-270)in the Netherlands East Indies.
• May 25 - The Germans retreat from Anzio.
• May 26 - Destroyers bombard Japanese shore batteries and installations on Mili Atoll in the Marshalls. The Japanese submarine RO-108 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) north of the Bismarck Archipelago.
• May 27 - Army forces land on Biak in the Schouten Islands off of New Guinea under the cover of naval gunfire from a cruiser and destroyer force commanded by Rear Admiral Fechteler. PT-339 is grounded and sunk by US forces in the western New Guinea area. The submarine chaser SC-699 is damaged by a suicide plane in the western New Guinea area.
• May 28 - The destroyer USS Stockton (DD-646) is damaged by coastal defense guns on Biak Island in the Schouten Islands, off New Guinea.
• May 29 - Destroyers bombard Japanese installations on the northern coast of New Ireland. The escort carrier USS Bock Island (CVE-21) is sunk by submarine torpedo northwest of the Canary Islands. The destroyer escort USS Barr (DE-576) is damaged by submarine torpedo northwest of the Canary Islands. The German submarine U-549 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Abrens (DE-575) and US Eugene E. Elmore (DE-686) northwest of the Canary Islands.
• May 31 - The Japanese submarine RO-105 is sunk by the destroyers USS Hazelwood (DD-531) and USS McCord (DD-534) and destroyer escorts USS England (DD-635), USS George (DE-697) and USS Raby (DE-68) north of the Bismarck archipelago. The Japanese frigate Ishigaki is sunk by the submarine USS Herring (SS-233) in the north Pacific.
• June 1 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on the southwest coast of Mindanao in the Philippines.
• June 2 - The Japanese frigate Awaji is sunk by the submarine USS Guitarro (SS-363) off of Formosa.
• June 3 - The destroyer USS Reid (DD-369) is damaged by a dive bomber in the western New Guinea area.
• June 4 - The German submarine U-505 is captured by a hunter-killer group 150 miles off the coast of Rio de Oro, Africa. The hunter-killer group, under Captain D.V. Gallery, consists of the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60, Captain Gallery) and an escort division, under Comdr. F.S. Hall, composed of destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury (DE-133, Lt. G.W. Casselman), USS Pope (DE-134, Lt. Comdr. E.H. Headland), USS Flaherty (DE-135, Lt. Comdr. M. Johnston), USS Chatelain (DE-149, Lt. Comdr. D.S. Knox) and USS Jenks (DE-665, Lt. Comdr. J.F. Way). Japanese aircraft attack an Allied cruiser and destroyer force under R.A. Crutchley off Biak, New Guinea. The light cruisers USS Nashville (CL-43) and USS Phoenix (CL-46) are damaged. Japanese transport No. 128 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Philippine Sea.
• June 5 - The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands supplies at Tucuran, Mindanao in the Philippines. The minesweeper USS Osprey (AM-56) is sunk by a mine off Normandy, France. LST 981 is damaged by a mine, also off Normandy. Allied forces enter Rome.
• June 6 - D-Day. The Allied Expeditionary Force under the supreme command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, invades Western Europe. Landings are made on the beaches of Normandy, France, following pre-invasion minesweeping and bombardment by Allied warships, and under the cover of Allied aircraft and naval gunfire. The invasion fleet of thousands of naval vessels, merchant ships, and landing craft under the command of Admiral Sir Bertram H. Ramsay, RN, is divided into a Western American) Task Force and an Eastern (British) Task Force. The Western Task Force, commanded by Rear Admiral A.G. Kirk, USN, and composed to two assault forces, "O" under the command of Rear Admiral J.L Hall, USN, and "U" under the command of Read Admiral D.P. Moon, USN, lands the First United States Army commanded by Lt. General Omar N. Bradley, USA, on "Omaha" and "Utah" beaches. Naval gunfire support groups commanded by Rear Admiral M.L. Deyo, USN, and Rear Admiral C.F. Bryant, USN effectively prevent the Germans from moving up reinforcements and cover the troops advancing inland. US naval vessels sunk during the Normandy invasion include the destroyer USS Corry (DD-463) and the submarine chaser PC-1261, both by mines. LST 375 is damaged in a collision during the operation. US naval vessels listed as sunk or damaged in the Normandy invasion do not include amphibious types smaller than the LST. The Japanese destroyer Minazuki is sunk by the submarine USS Harder (SS-257) in the Celebes Sea. Japanese coastal defense vessel No. 15 is sunk by the submarine USS Raton (SS-270) in the South China Sea.
• June 7 - Construction of artificial harbors and sheltered anchorages from sunken blockships and concrete caissons begins off Normandy beachheads. The US Naval Advanced Base at Hollandia, New Guinea, is established. The submarine USS Gudgeon (SS-211) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The minesweeper USS Tide (AM-125) and the transport USS Susan B. Anthony (AP-72) are sunk by mines in the Normandy area. The destroyer USS Harding (DD-625) is damaged by grounding, the minesweeper USS Pheasant (AM-61) is damaged in a collision and PT-505 is damaged by a mine, all in the Normandy area. The Japanese destroyer Hayanami is sunk by the submarine USS Harder (SS-257) in the Celebes Sea.
• June 8 - Beginning shortly before midnight and continuing on June 9, an Allied naval force under Rear Admiral Crutchley, RN, including 2 US light cruisers and destroyers, intercepts and turns back 5 Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce Biak Island, in the Schouten Islands off New Guinea. The submarine USS Harder (SS-257) evacuates coast-watchers from the northeast coast of North Borneo. The destroyer escort USS Rich (DE-695) and LST 499 are sunk by mines in the Normandy area. The destroyers USS Glennon (DD-620) and USS Meredith (DD-726) are damaged by mines in the Normandy area. The Japanese destroyer Harusame is sunk by Army aircraft in the Biak, New Guinea area. The Japanese destroyer Kazagumo is sunk by the submarine USS Hake (SS-256) at Mindanao in the Philippines.
• June 9 - Destroyers bombard Japanese repair facilities in the Fangelawa Bay area, New Ireland. The destroyer USS Meredith (DD-726) is sunk as a result of mine damage suffered on June 8 in the Normandy area. LST-314 is sunk by a torpedo from surface craft and LST 376 is damaged by a torpedo from a surface craft and sunk by US forces, both in the Normandy area. The motor minesweeper YMS-305 is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Normandy area. The Japanese destroyer Matsukaze is sunk by the submarine USS Swordfish (SS-193) off the Bonin Islands. The Japanese destroyer Tanikaze is sunk by the submarine USS Harder (SS-257) in the Celebes Sea. Russian forces begin an offensive on the Finnish front.
• June 10 - The destroyer USS Glennon (DD-620) is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Normandy area. The Japanese submarine RO-42 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Bangust (DE-739) in the Marshalls. The Germans liquidate Oradour-sur-Glane, France.
• June 11 - US Battleships off Normandy give gunfire support to Army forces 10 miles inland at Carentan, France. The US Naval Base at Biak Island in the Schouten Islands is established. The battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) is commissioned at New York City. LST 496 is sunk by a mine and the ocean tug USS Partridge (ATO-138) is sunk by a torpedo, both in the Normandy area. The destroyer USS Nelson (DD-623) and LST 538 are damaged by torpedoes in the Normandy area. The Japanese submarine RO-111 is sunk by the destroyer USS Taylor (DD-468) north of the Bismarck Archipelago. The German submarine U-490 is sunk by aircraft (VC-95) from the escort carrier USS Croatan (CVE-25) and the destroyer escorts USS Frost (DE-144), USS Huse (DE-145) and USS Inch (DE-146) in the north Atlantic.
• June 12 - Aircraft from the 15 carriers of the fast carrier force under Vice Admiral Mitscher bomb Japanese air facilities and coastal defenses on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Rota and the Pagan Islands in the Marianas Islands. Two Japanese convoys are attacked and damaged. The Japanese torpedo boat Otori is sunk. Carrier aircraft continue strikes on June 13 and 14. The destroyer USS Kalk (DD-611) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the western New Guinea area.
• June 13 - A battleship and destroyer task group under Vice Admiral Lee bombards Japanese installations on Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas. A cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral E.G. Small bombards Japanese positions on Matsuwa Island in the Kuriles. The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) shells oil tanks at Bula, Ceram Island in the Netherlands East Indies. The Japanese submarine RO-36 is sunk by the destroyer USS Melvin (DD-680) in the Marianas. The Germans make their first V-1 rocket attacks on Britain.
• June 14 - Two task groups of battleships, cruisers and destroyers, under Rear Admirals Oldendorf and Ainsworth, bombard Japanese installations on Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas. The battleship USS California (BB-44) and the destroyer USS Braine (DD-630) are damaged by coastal defense guns in the Marinas. LST 280 is damaged by submarine torpedo in the Normandy area.
• June 15 - A naval task force under Vice Admiral Turner lands Marines under Lt. General H.M. Smith on Saipan in the Marianas under cover of intensive naval gunfire carrier-based aircraft. Carrier-based aircraft from two task groups, under Rear Admirals J.J. Clark and W.K. Harrill, bomb Japanese installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands. The attack on Iwo Jima is repeated on June 16. The battleship USS Tennessee (BB-43) is damaged by coastal defense guns at Saipan. LST 2, LST 133, LST 266, LST 307, LST 331 and LST 360 are damaged by coastal defense guns and mine in the Normandy area. The Japanese minelayer No. 101 is sunk by surface craft in the Marianas. The German submarine U-860 is sunk by aircraft (VC-9) from the escort carrier USS Solomons (CVE-67) in the south Atlantic.
• June 16 - A battleship, cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral Ainsworth bombards Japanese installations on Guam in the Marianas. The Japanese submarine RO-44 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Burden R. Hastings (DE-19) in the Marshalls and RO-114 is sunk by the destroyers USS Melvin (DD-680) and USS Wadleigh (DD-689) in the Marianas.
• June 17 - An Allied task force under Rear Admiral T.H. Troubridge, RN, lands French troops on the island of Elba off of Italy. The motor minesweeper YMS-377 is damaged by a mine in the Normandy area. The escort carrier USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) is damaged by a horizontal bomber and LST 84 is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, both in the Marianas. The Japanese submarine RO-117 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VB-109) from Eniwetok. June 18 - PT-63 and PT-107 are sunk by fire off New Ireland. The destroyer USS Phelps (DD-360) is damaged by coastal defense guns and the oilers USS Neshanic (AO-71) and USS Saranac (AO-74) are damaged by horizontal bombers, all in the Marianas.
• June 19 - Battle of the Philippine Sea. Japanese carrier-based aircraft attack the US Fifth Fleet covering the Saipan operation. Two US battleships, two aircraft carriers and a heavy cruiser are damaged, the USS South Dakota (BB-57) by dive bomber, USS Indiana (BB-58)by suicide plane, USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) and USS Wasp (CV-18) by dive bombers and USS Minneapolis (CA-36) by horizontal bomber. Also damaged are the destroyer USS Hudson (DD-475) by accidental US naval gunfire and the motor minesweeper YMS-323 by coastal defense guns. During the battle, two Japanese carriers, Shokaku and Taiho are sunk by the submarines USS Cavalla (SS-244) and USS Albacore (SS-218), respectively. The Japanese lose over 300 aircraft is what is to become known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot." LST 523 is sunk by a mine and the ocean tug ATR-15 is grounded, both in the Normandy area. The Japanese submarine I-184 is sunk by aircraft (VT-60) from the escort carrier USS Suwannee (CVE-27) in the central Pacific.
• June 20 - Battle of the Philippine Sea continues. Aircraft from the Fifth Fleet task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher strike the Japanese fleet. The Japanese carrier Hiyo is sunk. In the 2-day Battle of the Philippine Sea the engaged Japanese Fleet loses 395 (92%) of its carrier planes, and 31 (72%) of its float planes. Only 35 carrier planes and 12 float planes remain operational. Besides the losses afloat, an estimated 50 land-based Japanese aircraft from Guam are destroyed. The US Fleet's loss is 130 planes and a total of 76 pilots and crewmen for the 2 days. The submarines USS Narwhal (SS-167) and USS Nautilus (SS-168) land supplies and evacuate personnel from Negros and Panay in the Philippines. The destroyer USS Phelps (DD-360) is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Marianas.
• June 21 - The Coast Guard cutters 83415 and 83471 are sunk by a storm and the destroyer USS Davis (DD-395) is sunk by a mine, all in the Normandy area.
• June 22 - The battleship USS Maryland (BB-46) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo and LST 119 is damaged by coastal defense guns, both in the Marianas. The Japanese submarine I-185 is sunk by the destroyer USS Newcomb (DD-586) and the high- speed minesweeper USS Chandler (DMS-9) in the Marianas. The Russian Summer Offensive begins.
• June 23 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral J.J. Clark bomb Japanese air facilities on Pagan Island in the Marianas.
• June 24 - Aircraft from carrier task groups under Rear Admirals J.J. Clark and A.E. Montgomery strike Japanese airfields and facilities on Iwo Jima and Pagan Island. PT-193 is grounded and sunk by US forces in the western New Guinea area. The Japanese submarine I-52 is sunk by aircraft (VC-69) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) in the Atlantic. June 25 - A US battleship, cruiser and destroyer force under Rear Admiral M.L. Deyo bombards German shore batteries and coastal defenses at Cherbourg, France. The battleship USS Texas (BB-35) and the destroyers USS Barton (DD-722), USS Laffey (DD-724) and USS O'Brien (DD-275) are damaged by coastal defense guns during the operation.
• June 26 - Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral E.G. Small bombard Japanese positions at Kauabu Zaki, Paramushiro in the Kurile Islands. The cargo ship USS Mercury (AK-42) is damaged by and aircraft torpedo in the Marianas.
• June 27 - Cherbourg is captured by US forces.
• June 28 - Japanese coastal defense vessel No. 24 is sunk by the submarine USS Archerfish (SS-311) in the western Pacific.
• June 29 - The coastal minesweeper USS Valaor (AMC-108) is sunk in a collision off Newport, Rhode Island. The Japanese minelayer Tsugaru is sunk by the submarine USS Darter (SS-227) in the Netherlands East Indies.
• July 2 - An allied naval force under Rear Admiral Fechteler lands army troops on Noemfoor Island off New Guinea. The motor minesweeper YMS-350 is sunk by a mine in the Normandy area. The German submarine U-543 is sunk by aircraft (VC-58) from the escort carrier USS Wake Island (CVE-65) southeast of the Azores.
• July 3 - The German submarine U-154 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Frost (DE-144) and USS Inch (De-146) off Madiera. The Battle of the Hedgerows takes place in Normandy. Russian forces capture Minsk.
• July 4 - Carrier-based aircraft and naval gunfire from two task groups, under Rear Admirals Clark and R.E. Davison, hit Japanese installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins. The submarine S-28 is sunk during training exercises off Hawaii, cause unknown. Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 16, coastal minesweeper Sarushima and transport No. 103 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Bonins. Transport No. 130 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft near Iwo Jima. The Japanese submarine I-10 is sunk by the destroyer USS David W. Taylor (DD-551) and the destroyer escort USS Riddle (DE-185) in the Marianas.
• July 5 - The German submarine U-133 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Thomas (DE-102) and USS Baker (DE-190)in the north Atlantic. The German submarine U-586 is sunk by aircraft near Toulon, France.
• July 6 - Carrier-based aircraft commence daily bombings of Japanese coastal and anti-aircraft guns, supply dumps, airfields and other installations on Guam and Rota in the Marianas. The Japanese destroyer Hokaze is sunk by the submarine USS Paddle (SS-263) in the Celebes Sea.
• July 7 - The Japanese destroyer Usugumo is sunk by the submarine USS Skate (SS-305) in the Kurile Islands. The Japanese destroyer Tamanami is sunk by the submarine USS Mingo (SS-261) in the South China Sea. Japanese forces are defeated on Saipan
• July 8 - A cruiser and destroyer task group under Rear Admiral C.T. Joy commences daily bombardment of Japanese defenses on Guam. Battleships join the bombardment beginning on July 14.
• July 9 - Organized Japanese resistance ceases on Saipan. The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on Pandan Island off the west coast of Mindoro in the Philippines. The minesweeper USS Swerve (AM-121) is sunk by a mine in the Italian area. British and Canadian forces capture Caen.
• July 10 - The command designated US Ports and Bases, France under Rear Admiral Wilkes is established with headquarters at Cherbourg, France.
• July 13 - The submarine USS Herring (SS-133) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific.
• July 14 - The Japanese submarine I-6 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS William C. Miller (DE-259) in the Marianas.
• July 15 - PT-133 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the eastern New Guinea area.
• July 17 - Japanese minesweeper No. 25 is sunk by the submarine USS Gabilan (SS-252) off of Honshu, Japan.
• July 18 - Premier Tojo and the Japanese cabinet resign. General Koiso forms a new cabinet. The motor boat PGM-7 is damaged by a collision in the Bismarck Sea. Japanese submarine chaser No. 50 is sunk by the submarine USS Plaice (SS-390) south of Honshu, Japan. US forces reach St. Lo.
• July 19 - The Japanese light cruiser Oi is sunk by the submarine USS Flasher (SS-249) in the South China Sea. The Japanese submarine RO-48 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Wyman (DE-38) in the central Pacific.
• July 20 - A German assassination attempt on Hitler fails.
• July 21 - A naval attack force under Rear Admiral R.L. Conolly lands Marines and Army forces under Major General Geiger on Guam. The assault is preceded by intensive naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft attacks. The submarine chaser SC-1316 is damaged by coastal mortars in the Marianas.
• July 23 - The destroyer USS Norman Scott (DD-690) is damaged by coastal defense guns and the high-speed minesweeper USS Chandler (DMS-9) is damaged by fire, both in the Marianas.
• July 24 - A naval attack force under Rear Admiral H.W. Hill lands Marines under Major General Schmidt on Tinian in the Marianas. The landing is supported by naval gunfire, carrier-based aircraft and land-based aircraft from Saipan. The battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) and LST 481 are damaged by coastal defense guns in the Marianas. Russian troops liberate the first concentration camp at Majdanek.
• July 25 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher attack Japanese positions in the western Caroline Islands of Yap, Ulithi, Fis, Ngulu, Soro and Palau. The Japanese minelayer Sokuten is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Palau Islands. Operation Cobra begins in Normandy as US forces break out west of St. Lo.
• July 26 - The submarine USS Golet (SS-361) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The submarine USS Robalo (SS-273) is sunk off western Palawn in the Philippines, cause unknown. The Japanese submarine I-29 is sunk by the submarine USS Sawfish (SS-276) in Luzon Strait in the Philippines.
• July 27 - Japanese transports No.s 1 and 150 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Palau Islands.
• July 28 - The Japanese submarine I-55 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Wyman (DE-38) and USS Reynolds (DE-42) in the central Pacific. A Japanese submarine chaser (name unknown) is sunk by carrier-based aircraft. Russian troops capture Brest-Litovsk. US troops capture Coutances.
• July 29 - LST 340 is damaged by grounding in the Marianas. The German submarines U-872 and U-2323 are sunk by Army aircraft at Bremen, Germany.
• July 30 - A naval task force under Rear Admiral Flechteler lands Army troops near Cape Opmarai, northwest New Guinea and on the offshore islands of Amsterdam and Middleburg. Troops made shore-to-shore movement to Cape Sansapor on the 31st. The motor minesweeper YMS-304 is sunk and YMS-378 is damaged, both by mines in the Normandy area.
• August 1 - Organized Japanese resistance ends on Tinian. A US Naval Air Base is established on Tinian. The Polish Home Army uprising against the Nazis in Warsaw begins. US forces reach Avranches.
• August 2 - The destroyer escort USS Fiske (DE-143) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the north Atlantic.
• August 4 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Clark and cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral L.T. DuBose attack a Japanese convoy and other shipping in the Chichi Jima area of the Bonin Islands. Simultaneously, aircraft from a second carrier task group under Rear Admiral Montgomery bomb airfield facilities on Iwo Jima. Japanese naval vessels sunk during the operation include the destroyer Matsu and transports No.s 4 and 133. Anne Franke and her family are arrested by the Gestapo in Amsterdam. Allied forces liberate Florence.
• August 5 - Aircraft from two carrier task groups under Rear Admirals Clark and Montgomery and cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral DuBose bomb and bombard Japanese installations on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins. Fast Carrier Task Force is reorganized into First Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet under Vice Admiral Mitscher and Second Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet under Vice Admiral McCain. Japanese transport No. 2 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft.
• August 6 - The carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) is commissioned at New York City. The German submarines U-471, U-642, U-952 and U-969 are sunk by Army aircraft at Toulon, France.
• August 7 - The submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197) lands men and supplies at Tawi Tawi in the Philippines. The Japanese light cruiser Nagara is sunk by the submarine USS Croaker (SS-246) west Kyushu, Japan. The Japanese frigate Kursagaki is sunk by the submarine USS Guitarro (SS-363) in the Philippines. A German counter-attack toward Avranches begins.
• August 8 - Destroyers and land-based Marine aircraft from Majuro in the Marshalls bombard and bomb Japanese positions on Taro, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshalls.
• July 9 - The submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197) lands men and supplies on Palawan in the Philippines. PT-509 is sunk by naval gunfire off the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel.
• August 10 - Organized Japanese resistance ends on Guam.
• August 12 - German Avranches counter-attack fails.
• August 13 - The submarine USS Flier (SS-250) is sunk by an external explosion in Balabac Strait, North Borneo. Japanese submarine chaser No. 12 is sunk by the submarine USS Bluegill (SS-242)in the Philippines.
• August 14 - LST-921 is sunk by submarine torpedo in the English Channel. Japanese transport No. 129 is sunk by the submarine USS Cod (SS-224) in the Netherlands East Indies.
• August 15 - Allied troops land on the coast of southern France, between Toulon and Cannes. The assault is preceded by heavy naval gunfire and aircraft attack. The operation is under the command of Vice Admiral H.K. Hewitt, USN, Naval Commander Western Task Force and Commander Eighth Fleet and the ground forces are commanded by Major General A.M. Patch, USA. After the landings, naval gunfire engages German coastal defense batteries and continues to support the troops ashore. LST-181 is sunk by a radio-controlled bomb and the submarine chaser SC-1019 is damaged by an explosion, both in the southern France area.
• August 16 - PT-202, PT-218 and the motor minesweeper YMS-24 are sunk and LST 391 is damaged all by mines in the southern France area.
• August 18 - The Amphibious Force flagship USS Catoctin (AGC-5) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the southern France area. The Japanese escort carrier Oraka is sunk by the submarine USS Rasher off northwestern Luzon in the Philippines. The Japanese light cruiser Natori is sunk by the submarine USS Hardhead (SS-365) east of Samar in the Philippines.
• August 19 - The submarine USS Redfin (SS-272) lays mines off Sarawak, Borneo. The Resistance uprising in Paris takes place. The Russian offensive in the Balkans begins with an attack on Romania.
• August 20 - The German submarine U-1229 is sunk by aircraft (VC-42) from the escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-9) in the north Atlantic.
• August 22 - The Japanese frigate Sado is sunk by the submarine USS Haddo (SS-255) and frigates Matsuwa and Hiburi by the submarine USS Harder (SS-257) in the Philippines.
• August 23 - Destroyer and smaller naval vessels bombard Japanese installations and positions on Aguijan Island in the Marianas. The bombardment is repeated daily until August 26. PT-555 is damaged by a mine in the southern France area. The Japanese destroyer Asakaze is sunk by the submarine USS Haddo (SS-255) in the Philippines and minesweeper No. 22 by the submarine USS Batfish (SS-310) in the Palau Islands area.
• August 24 - The submarine USS Harder (SS-257) is sunk by depth charges off the west coast of Luzon in the Philippines.
• August 25 - Paris is liberated by US and French troops. The Japanese destroyer Yunagi is sunk by the submarine USS Picuda (SS-382) in the Philippines.
• August 26 - The Japanese destroyer Samidare is sunk by the submarine USS Batfish (SS-310) off the Palau Islands.
• August 27 - The submarine USS Stingray (SS-186) lands men and supplies on the northwest coast of Luzon in the Philippines.
• August 28 - Japanese submarine chaser No. 77 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Kuriles. Allied forces liberate Marseilles/Toulon.
• August 29 - Japanese minesweeper No. 28 is sunk by the submarine USS Jack (SS-259) off the Celebes. The Slovak uprising begins.
• August 30 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon in the Philippines. German forces abandon Bulgaria.
• August 31 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Davison commence a 3-day attack on Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands. Bombardment by cruisers and destroyers augments the air strikes on September 1 and 2. The submarine USS Redfin (SS-272)lands supplies and evacuates personnel from Palawan Island in the Philippines. The Japanese minelayer Shirataka is sunk by the submarine USS Sealion (SS-315) in Luzon Strait in the Philippines. Russian troops capture Bucharest.
• September 1 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon. The US Naval Operating Base at Saipan is established. The motor minesweeper YMS-21 is sunk by a mine in the southern France area. Between the 1st and 4th, the Allies liberate Verdun, Dieppe, Artois, Rouen, Abbeville, Antwerp and Brussels.
• September 2 - Pisa is liberated.
• September 3 - A naval task group under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith consisting of a carrier, three cruisers and three destroyers strikes Japanese positions on Wake Island. The submarine chaser SC-535 is damaged by a storm in the southern France area.
• September 4 - Finland and Russia agree to cease-fire.
• September 5 - Russia declares war on Bulgaria.
• September 6 - Aircraft form a fast carrier force under Vice Admiral Mitscher, composed of 16 carriers and cruisers and destroyers, strike Japanese aircraft installations on Yap, Ulithi and the Palau Islands in the western Caroline Islands group. The attacks continue through September 8.
• September 7 - Army forces supported by naval vessels land on Soepiori Island in the Schouten Islands off New Guinea.
• September 8 - The first German V-2 rocket bomb lands in England.
• September 9 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher, commence a two-day strike against Japanese shipping, facilities and aircraft at Mindanao in the Philippines.
• September 10 - The command designated US Naval Forces France, under Vice Admiral A.G. Kirk, is established with headquarters at Paris. The minesweeper USS Seer (AM-112) is damaged by a mine in the southern France area.
• September 11 - Japanese submarine chaser No. 165 is sunk by the submarine USS Albacore (SS-218) off Kyushu, Japan.
• September 12 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher commence a 3-day attack on Japanese airfields and shipping in the Visayas in the Philippines. On September 14, one carrier group under Vice Admiral McCain shifts operations to targets on Mindanao. Romania signs armistice with United States, Great Britain and Russia. The high-speed transport USS Noa (APD-24) is sunk by a collision in the Palau Islands. The motor minesweeper YMS-409 foundered off the Atlantic coast. The destroyer USS Fullam (DD-474) is damaged in a collision in the Palau Islands. The Japanese destroyer Shikinami and the frigate Hirato are sunk by the submarine USS Growler (SS-215) in the South China Sea. Le Havre is liberated.
• September 13 - The destroyer USS Warrington (DD-383) is sunk by a hurricane off the Bahama Islands. The high-speed minesweeper USS Perry (DMS-17) is sunk by a mine in the Palau Islands. Japanese submarine chaser No. 55 is sunk by carrier aircraft in the Philippines. US troops reach the Siegfried Line.
• September 14 - The submarine USS Pargo (SS-264) lays mines near Natuna Island in the South China Sea. The Coast Guard cutters USS Bedloe (PC-128) and USS Jackson (PC-142) are sunk by a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The lightship No. 71 is sunk by a storm in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts. Japanese transport No. 5 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Philippines.
• September 15 - The First Marine Division, under Major General W.H. Rupertus, lands at Peleliu in the Palau Islands. The operation is commanded by Vice Admiral Wilkinson and the landing is preceded by several day of intensive carrier-based aircraft bombing and naval gunfire bombardment. A naval task force, under Rear Admiral Barbey, lands Army troops, Under Major General J.C. Persons on Morotai Island in the Netherlands East Indies. The assault is supported by cruisers and destroyers, under Rear Admiral Berkey, and aircraft from escort carriers under Rear Admiral T.L. Sprague. The submarine USS Stingray (SS-186) lands men and stores on Majoe Island in the Molucca Sea. The carrier USS Shangri La (CV-38) is commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia. Japanese transport No. 3 is sunk by the submarine USS Guavina (SS-362) in the Philippines.
• September 16 - The Second Quebec Conference, attended by Roosevelt and Churchill, ends after being in session since September 11. Marine Air Wings, Pacific is redesignated Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under Major General F.P. Mulcahy with headquarters at Ewa, Oahu. The destroyer USS Wadleigh (DD-689) is damaged by a mine in the Palau Islands. The Japanese escort carrier Unyo is sunk by the submarine USS Barb (SS-220) in the South China Sea.
• September 17 - Army troops land on Anguar in the Palau Islands, supported by carrier-based aircraft and naval gunfire. Operation Market Garden takes place as Allies make an unsuccessful airborne assault in Holland.
• September 19 - PT-371 is grounded and sunk by US forces in the Netherlands East Indies. The Japanese frigate Ioshima is sunk by the submarine USS Shad (SS-235) off Honshu, Japan.
• September 21 - Aircraft from 12 carriers, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, commence a 2-day attack against Japanese shipping and airfields at Luzon in the Philippines. Japanese vessels sunk by carrier-based aircraft include the destroyer Satsuki, the oiler Sunosaki, coast defense vessel No. 5, auxiliary submarine chaser No. 39 and minesweeper No. 7. The Japanese surveying ship Katsuriki is sunk by the submarine USS Haddo (SS-255) west of Manila.
• September 22 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on the southwest coast of Mindanao in the Philippines. Boulogne is liberated.
• September 23 - Army troops are landed at Ulithi Atoll in the Carolines, by a naval task group under Rear Admiral W.H.P. Blandy.
• September 24 - Aircraft from 12 carriers, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, attack Japanese aircraft, ground installations and shipping in the Visayas in the Philippines. Japanese naval vessels sunk by carrier-based aircraft during the raid include the torpedo boat Hayabusa, the seaplane tender Akitsushima, the minelayer Yaeyama and submarine chaser No. 32. Motor minesweeper YMS-19 is sunk by a mine in the Palau Islands. The German submarines U-565 and U-596 are sunk by Army aircraft near Salamis, Greece.
• September 25 - The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands supplies on Cebu in the Philippines. The minelayer USS Miantonomah (CM-10) is sunk by a mine in the Normandy area.
• September 26 - The Japanese submarine I-175 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS McCoy Reynolds (DE-440) northeast of the Palau Islands. The Japanese minelayer Aotaka is sunk by the submarine USS Pargo (SS-265) off of Borneo. Soviet troops occupy Estonia.
• September 27 - The submarines USS Narwhal (SS-167) and USS Stingray (SS-186) land supplies on the north coast of Mindanao and the east coast of Luzon, in the Philippines, respectively. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 10 is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the East China Sea.
• September 28 - Marines occupy Ngesebus ad Kongauru Islands in the Palau Islands, under the cover of naval aircraft and gunfire support. Calais is liberated.
• September 29 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) evacuates 81 Allied prisoners of war from Sindangan Bay, Mindanao in the Philippines. These men are survivors of the torpedoed Japanese ship Shinyo Maru. The German submarine U-863 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft` (VP-107) in the south Atlantic.
• September 30 - The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands supplies and evacuates personnel from near Libertad, Panay in the Philippines. The German submarine U-1062 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Fessenden (DE-142) in the mid-Atlantic.
• October 1 - The office of Deputy Commander-in-Chief, US Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Vice Admiral R.S. Edwards is established. Motor minesweeper YMS-385 is sunk by a mine in the western Carolines. The destroyer USS Forrest (DD-461) is damaged by a collision in the southern France area. The destroyer USS Bailey (DD-492) is damaged by strafing in the Palau Islands. The Japanese coastal minelayer Ajiro is sunk by the submarine USS Snapper (SS-185) northwest of the Bonin Islands. Russian forces enter Yugoslavia.
• October 2 - LST 129, LST 278 and LST 661 are damaged by a storm in the Palau Islands. Warsaw uprising ends. Polish Home Army surrenders to the Germans.
• October 3 - The submarine USS Seawolf (SS-197) is accidentally sunk by US forces off Morotai Island in the Netherlands East Indies. The destroyer escort USS Shelton (DE-407) is sunk by submarine torpedo in the Netherlands East Indies. The Japanese submarine I-364 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Samuel E. Miles (DE-183) in the Palau Islands.
• October 4 - Allied forces land in Greece.
• October 6 - The Japanese gunboat Saga is sunk off Hong Kong and coastal defense vessel No. 21 is sunk by the submarine USS Seahorse (SS-304) in the South China Sea.
• October 8 - Land-base aircraft from the Marianas increase the tempo of air strikes on Iwo Jima. li> October 9 - A cruiser and destroyer group, under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith, bombards Japanese coastal defense positions on Marcus Island. The carrier USS Randolph (CV-15) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia.
• October 10 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher, composed of 17 carriers escorted by 5 battleships, 14 cruisers and 58 destroyers bomb Japanese shipping and shore facilities on Okinawa and other Islands in the Ryukyus. The Japanese submarine tender Jingei and transport No. 158 are sunk during the assault. From the 10th to the 29th, Russian troops capture Riga.
• October 11 - Aircraft from two carrier task groups, under Vice Admiral McCain and Rear Admiral Davison, attack airfields and other Japanese installations in northern Luzon in the Philippines. PT-368 is grounded and sunk by US forces in the western New Guinea area. Japanese transport No. 105 is sunk by the submarine USS Trepang (SS-412) off Honshu, Japan.
• October 12 - Carrier-based aircraft from the Third Fleet, under Admiral Halsey) commence a 5-day attack against Japanese shipping, airfield facilities and industrial plants on Formosa and northern Luzon in the Philippines. These strikes meet with intensive counterattacks by Japanese aircraft. The destroyer USS Prichett (DD-561) is accidentally damaged by naval gunfire in the Formosa area.
• October 13 - Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands is secured. US naval vessels damaged in Luzon and Formosa area include the carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) by suicide plane, and the heavy cruiser USS Canberra (CA-70) by aircraft torpedo.
• October 14 - US naval vessels damaged in the Luzon and Formosa areas include the carrier USS Hancock (CV-19)by horizontal bomber, the light cruiser USS Houston (CL-81) by aircraft torpedo, the light cruiser USS Reno (CL-96) by suicide plane, the destroyer USS Cowell (DD-547) by collision and the destroyer USS Cassin Young by strafing. Allied forces liberate Athens. Rommel commits suicide.
• October 15 - Aircraft from a carrier task group, under Rear Admiral Davison, bomb targets in the Manila area of Luzon in the Philippines. The Coast Guard cutter USS Eastwind (AG-279) captures the German trawler Externsteine off the northeast coast of Greenland. The command designate Minecraft, Pacific Fleet, under Rear Admiral A. Sharp, is established. The carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Philippines.
• October 16 - The light cruiser USS Houston (CL-81) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo off of Luzon in the Philippines. The Japanese torpedo boat Hato is sunk by Army aircraft in the East China Sea.
• October 17 - Aircraft from a carrier task group, under Rear Admiral Davison, bomb Japanese airfields on Luzon. Army troops are landed on Suluan and Dinagat Islands at the entrance to Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies on the northeast coast of Tawi Tawi in the Philippines. Motor minesweeper Iris sunk by a storm off Leyte. The minelayer USS Montgomery (DM-17)is damaged by a mine east of the Palau Islands.
• October 18 - Aircraft from three task groups of the Third Fleet under Admiral Halsey, including 13 carriers, attack Japanese installations and shipping in the northern Luzon and Manila area of the Philippines. Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 95 and transports No.s 135 and 136 are sunk during the raid. A cruiser task group, under Rear Admiral Oldendorf, bombs Japanese shore installations on Homonhon Island at the entrance to Leyte Gulf. The high-speed transport USS Goldsborough (APD-32) is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Leyte Gulf area. The US Naval Advanced Base at Le Havre, France is established. Iis groundedoff Leghorn, Italy.
• October 19 - The submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on the southwest coast of Negros in the Philippines. US naval vessels damaged in the Leyte area include the escort carrier USS Sangamon (CVE-16) by horizontal bomber, the destroyer USS Ross (DD-563) by a mine, the destroyer USS Aulick (DD-569) by coastal defense guns and the salvage vessel USS Preserver (ARS-8) by horizontal bomber.
• October 20 - Army forces land on Leyte in the Philippines, supported by naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. The overall commander is General Douglas MacArthur, the naval commander is Vice Admiral Kinkaid and the ground troops are commanded by Lt. General W. Krueger. US naval vessels damaged in the Leyte area include the light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) by aircraft torpedo and the destroyer USS Bennion (DD-662) and LST 452 by coastal defense guns. Naval Operating Base at Guam in the Marianas Islands is established. Belgrade is liberated.
• October 21 - Carrier-based aircraft, under Rear Admiral G.F. Bogan, attack Panay, Cebu, Negros and Masbate in the Philippines. The transport USS Warhawk (AP-168) is damaged in a collision and LST 269, LST 483, LST 486 and LST 704 are damaged by coastal defense mortals, all in the Leyte area. A massive German surrender takes place at Aachen.
• October 22 - Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 5 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Leyte area.
• October 23 - The Battle for Leyte Gulf. US submarines off Palwan Island sight and attack the Center Force of three Japanese naval groups moving on Leyte in a major effort to drive US forces from the Philippines. The heavy cruiser Maya is sunk by the submarine USS Dace (SS-247) and the heavy cruiser Atago is sunk by the submarine USS Darter (SS-227). The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon. Russian forces enter East Prussia.
• October 24 - Battle for Leyte Gulf. Carrier-based aircraft, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, locate and heavily attack the Japanese Center Force south of Mindoro in the Sibuyan Sea and the Southern Force steaming through the Sulu Sea. Japanese aircraft counterattack US forces. During the night, the US fast carriers move north from San Bernardino Strait to be in position for dawn strikes against the Japanese Northern Force. The Japanese Center Force moves through the San Bernardino Strait and south toward Leyte Gulf. US naval vessels sunk in this battle include the light carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23), damaged by a dive bomber and scuttled, and the ocean tug USS Sonoma (ATO-12) by a suicide plane. US naval vessels damaged during the battle include the light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62) and the destroyers USS Morrison (DD-560), USS Gatling (DD-671) and USS Irwin (DD-794) by rolling against USS Princeton while alongside and by fragments from her exploding magazines; the destroyer USS Leutze (DD-481) by a horizontal bomber; the destroyer USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649) by naval gunfire; the oiler USS Ashtabula (AO-51) by aircraft torpedo; LST 552 by horizontal bomber; and LST 695 by underwater explosion. Japanese naval vessels sunk during the battle include the battleship Musashi and destroyer Wakaha by carrier-based aircraft and the submarine I-362 by the destroyer escort USS Richard M. Rowell (DD-403). The submarine USS Darter (SS-117) is damaged by grounding on Bombay Shoal in Palawan Passage in the Philippines and destroyed by US forces. The submarine USS Tang (SS-306) is sunk by a circular run of her own torpedo, north of Formosa.
• October 25 - Battle for Leyte Gulf. The Japanese Southern Force enters Surigao Strait where it is engaged and virtually destroyed by Rear Admiral Oldendorf's force of battleships, cruisers, destroyers and motor torpedo boats (Battle of Surigao Strait). Meanwhile, the Japanese Center Force, including 4 battleships and 5 cruisers, having passed into the Philippine Sea during the night, attacks six escort carriers and screening vessels commanded by Rear Admiral Sprague (Battle off Samar). After inflicting severe damage on this light US force, the Center Force retires without molesting the landing operations in the Leyte Gulf area. At the same time, carrier aircraft from the Third Fleet locate and strike the Japanese Northern Force. Four Japanese carriers and other vessels are sunk (Battle of Gape Engano). US naval vessels sunk during the battle include the escort carrier USS St. Lo (CVE-63) by suicide plane; the escort carrier USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) by naval gunfire; the destroyers USS Hoel (DD-533) and USS Johnston (DD-557) and the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) by naval gunfire and PT-493. US naval vessels damaged during the battle include the escort carriers USS Sangamon (CVE-26), USS Santee (CVE-29), USS White Plains (CVE-66), USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) and USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) by suicide planes and naval gunfire; the destroyer USS Heerman (DD-523) by naval gunfire; and the destroyer escorts USS Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) and USS Dennis (DE-405) by strafing and naval gunfire. Japanese naval vessels sunk include the carrier Zuikaku by carrier-based aircraft; the light carriers Chitose, Chiyoda and Zuiho by carrier-based aircraft; the battleships Fuso and Yamashiro by surface craft; the heavy cruisers Chikuma, Chokai, Mogami and Suzuya by carrier-based aircraft and surface craft; the light cruiser Tama by carrier-based aircraft and the submarine USS Jallao (SS-368); the destroyers Asagumo, Hatsuzuki, Michishio and Yamagumo by surface craft; and the destroyer Akizuki by the submarine USS Halibut (SS-232). The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon. The US and Britain resume diplomatic relations with Italy.
• October 26 - Battle for Leyte Gulf ends. Carrier-based and Army aircraft bomb the surviving Japanese ships which are retiring. Japanese naval vessels sunk include the light cruisers Abukuma, Kinu and Noshiro and the destroyers Hayashimo, Nowaki and Uranami by surface craft and carrier-based aircraft. US naval vessels damaged include the escort carrier USS Suwannee (CVE-27) by dive bomber and suicide plane and PT-131 by dive bomber.
• October 27 - Aircraft from two carrier task groups, under Rear Admiral F.C. Sherman and Rear Admiral Davison, attack Japanese ships and installations in the Visayas and northern Luzon area. The destroyers Fujinami and Shiranui are sunk during the attacks. The submarine USS Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon. US naval vessels damaged in the Leyte area include the battleship USS California (BB-44) by strafing; the submarine chaser PC-848 by horizontal bomber; and PT-523 by dive bomber. The submarine USS Kingfish (SS-234) sinks Japanese transport No. 138 in the Volcano Islands.
• October 28 - Aircraft from carrier task group, under, Rear Admiral Davison bomb Japanese shipping near Cebu in the Philippines. The destroyer escort USS Eversole (DE-404) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Leyte area. The light cruiser USS Denver (CL-58) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Leyte area. The Japanese submarines I-45, by the destroyer escort USS Whitehurst (DE-634), and I-54, by the destroyers USS Gridley (DD-380) and USS Helm (DD-388), are sunk.
• October 29 - Aircraft from a carrier task group under Rear Admiral Bogan strike Japanese airfields and shipping in the Manila area. The carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Leyte area. A Naval Operating Base and Naval Air Station are established on Samar in the Philippines.
• October 30 - The carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) and light carrier USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) are damaged by suicide planes in the Leyte area. Germans make last use of gas chambers at Auschwitz.
• October 31 - The Japanese district craft Kaiyo is sunk by the submarine USS Gabilan (SS-252) off Shikoku, Japan.
• November 1 - The submarine USS Ray (SS-271) lands men and supplies on the west coast of Mindoro in the Philippines. The destroyer USS Abner Read (DD-526) is sunk by a suicide plane in Leyte Gulf. US naval vessels damaged in Leyte Gulf include the destroyers USS Anderson (DD-411), USS Claxton (DD-571) and USS Ammen (DD-527) by suicide planes and the destroyers USS Bush (DD-529) and USS Killen (DD-593) by horizontal bombers.
• November 2 - Japanese aircraft bomb the US airstrip and planes on the ground at Tacloban, Leyte in the Philippines. The raid is repeated on the third.
• November 3 - The submarine USS Cero (SS-215) lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon. Japanese aircraft attack air facilities on Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas. The Japanese make a series of strikes in this area from which heavy bombing missions against the Japanese home islands are launched. The light cruiser USS Reno (CL-96) is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the Leyte area. The Japanese destroyer Akikaze is sunk by the submarine USS Pintado (SS-387) in the South China Sea.
• November 4 - Axis forces in Greece surrender.
• November 5 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain commence a 2-day attack against Japanese shipping and air installations on Luzon. PT-320 is sunk by a horizontal bomber in the Leyte area. The carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) is damaged by a suicide plane off Luzon. The Japanese heavy cruiser Nachi and patrol boat No. 107 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in Manila Bay. The Japanese seaplane tender Notoro is sunk by Army aircraft off Singapore.
• November 6 - The submarine USS Gurnard (SS-254) lays mines off of western Borneo.
• November 7 - PT-301 is damaged by an accidental explosion in the western New Guinea area.
• November 8 - The submarine USS Growler (SS-215) is sunk west of the Philippines, cause unknown. The Japanese torpedo boat Sagi is sunk by the submarine USS Gunnel (SS-253) in the Philippines.
• November 9 - The German submarine U-537 is sunk by the submarine USS Flounder (SS-251) in the Java Sea.
• November 10 - PT-321 is grounded and sunk by US forces in the Leyte area. The ammunition ship USS Mount Hood (AE-11) is sunk by an explosion at Manus in the Admiralty Islands. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 11 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Ormoc Bay area of the Philippines. Japanese patrol boat No. 46 is sunk by the submarine USS Greenling (SS-213) off Honshu, Japan.
• November 11 - Aircraft from three carrier task groups, under Rear Admiral Sherman, attack a Japanese convoy in Ormoc Bay, Leyte. The destroyers Hamanami, Naganami, Shimakaze and Wakatzuki and minesweeper No. 30 are sunk. A cruiser and destroyer task group under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith bombards airfield and other Japanese installations on Iwo Jima. The bombardment commences shortly before midnight and continues on the 12th.
• November 12 - The German battleship Tirpitz is sunk by British aircraft in Tromso Fjord, Norway. The repair ships USS Egeria (ARL-8) and USS Achilles (ARL-41) are damaged by suicide planes in the Leyte area. The Japanese submarine I-37 is sunk by the destroyer USS Nicholas (DD-449) south of Yap Island. Japanese transport No. 139 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in Manila Bay.
• November 13 -Aircraft from three carrier task groups, under Rear Admiral Sherman, commence a 2-day bombing of Japanese shipping and facilities in the Manila and central Luzon areas. The light cruiser Kiso, destroyers Akebono, Akishimo, Hatsuharu and Okinami and auxiliary submarine chaser No. 116 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in Manila Bay. The Japanese submarine I-38 is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter USS Rockford (PF-48) and minelayer USS Ardent (AM-340) in the eastern Pacific.
• November 14 - The Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Kurasaki is sunk by the submarine USS Raton (SS-270) in the South China Sea. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 7 is sunk by the submarine USS Ray (SS-271), also in the South China Sea.
• November 15 - Army troops, supported by naval gunfire, land in the Mapia Islands off the northwest coast New Guinea.
• November 17 - The attack transport USS Alpine (APA-92) is damage by a suicide plane in the Leyte area. The Japanese escort carrier Jinyo is sunk by the submarine USS Spadefish (SS-411) in the Yellow Sea. The Japanese submarine I-26 is sunk by aircraft (VC-82) from the escort carrier USS Anzio (CVE-57) and the destroyer USS Lawrence C. Taylor (DD-415) in the Philippine Sea. The Japanese torpedo boat Hiyodori is sunk by the submarine USS Gunnel (SS-253) in the South China Sea.
• November 18 - LST 6 is sunk by a mine in the Seine River in France. PT-311 is sunk by a mine in the Mediterranean. Japanese submarine chaser No. 156 is sunk by the submarine USS Spadefish (SS-411) in the Yellow Sea.
• November 19 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain strike Japanese shipping and aircraft in the Luzon area. Units of the Seventh Amphibious Force land Army troops on Asia Island off the northwest coast of New Guinea. The Japanese submarine I-177 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Conklin (DE-439) and USS McCoy Reynolds (DE-440) in the Palau Islands.
• November 20 - The submarine USS Gar (SS-206) lands supplies on the northern coast of Mindoro in the Philippines. The oiler USS Mississinewa (AO-59) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Marianas. Japanese minesweeper No. 38 is sunk by the submarine USS Atule (SS-403) in the South China Sea. French troops drive through the Beffort Gap to reach the Rhine.
• November 21 - A cruiser and destroyer task force, under Rear Admiral J.L. Mccrea, bombards Japanese naval air installations on Matsuwa Island in the Kuriles. The Japanese battleship Kongo and destroyer Urakazeare sunk by the submarine USS Sealion (SS-315) northwest of Formosa.
• November 22 - Aircraft from a carrier group under Rear Admiral Davison bomb enemy air facilities on Yap Island in the Carolines. Japanese transport No. 151 is sunk by the submarine USS Besugo (SS-321) in the South China Sea.
• November 23 - The submarine USS Gar (SS-206) lands men and supplies on the west coast of Luzon. The attack transport USS James O'Hara (APA-90) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Leyte area.
• November 24 - Army aircraft based in the Marianas Islands make their first raid on Tokyo. The submarine chaser PC-1124 is damaged by a dive bomber in the Leyte area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 44 and transports No.s 111, 141 and 160 are sunk by Army aircraft in Cataingan Bay, Masbate Island in the Philippines. French forces capture Strasbourg.
• November 25 - Aircraft from two carrier groups under Rear Admirals Bogan and Sherman bomb Japanese shipping and aircraft in the central Luzon area. Japanese suicide planes attack US carriers. The carriers USS Essex (CV-9), USS Intrepid (CV-11) and USS Hancock (CV-19) and the light carrier USS Cabot (CVL-28) are damaged by suicide planes; the light carrier USS Independence (CVL-22) is damaged by the crash of friendly aircraft. PT-363 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Netherlands East Indies. The Japanese heavy cruiser Kumano and cruiser Yasoshima are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Luzon area. Japanese transports No.s 6 and 10 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft at Marinduque Island in the Philippines. The Japanese destroyer Shimotsuki is sunk by the submarine USS Cavalla (SS-244) west of Borneo. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 38 is sunk by the submarine USS Hardhead (SS-365) west of Luzon. Japanese patrol boat No. 38 is sunk by the submarine USS Atule (SS-403) in Luzon Strait.
• November 26 - The carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) is commissioned at New York City. Japanese transport No. 161 and minesweeper No. 18 are sunk by Army aircraft in the Andaman and South China Seas, respectively.
• November 27 - Destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Ormoc Bay, Leyte. Firing continues on the 28th. Japanese suicide planes attack and damage the battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) and light cruisers USS St. Louis (CL-49) and USS Montpelier (CL-57) in Leyte Gulf. Japanese aircraft also strike airfields and aircraft on the ground at Saipan in the Marianas. Organized Japanese resistance on Peleliu in the Palau Islands ends. The submarines USS Escolar (SS-294) and USS Shark (SS-314) are reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. Submarine chaser SC-744 is sunk by a suicide plane in Leyte Gulf. November 28 - The Japanese submarine I-46 is sunk by the destroyers USS Saufley (DD-465), USS Waller (DD-466), USS Pringle (DD-477) and USS Renshaw (DD-499) in Leyte Gulf. The Japanese submarine I-365 is sunk by the submarine USS Scabbardfish (SS-397) off Honshu, Japan.
• November 29 - The battleship USS Maryland (BB-46) and destroyers USS Saufley (DD-465) and USS Aulick (DD-569) are damaged by suicide planes in Leyte Gulf. The Japanese carrier Shinano is sunk by the submarine USS Archerfish (SS-311) south of Honshu, Japan. Japanese submarine chaser No. 45 is sunk by Army aircraft in Leyte Gulf. Japanese patrol boat No. 105 is sunk by surface craft in Ormoc Bay in the Philippines.
• December 1 - The US Naval Operating Base at Kwajalein in the Marshalls is established.
• December 2 -Four destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Palompon and northern Ormoc Bay, Leyte. Another group of three destroyers, enters Ormoc Bay at night and is engaged by Japanese aircraft, destroyers, and shore batteries. The action continues into the 3rd. The submarine USS Gunnel (SS-253) lands supplies and evacuates Allied aviators from Palawan in the Philippines.
• December 3 - The destroyer USS Cooper (DD-695) is sunk by a torpedo and the destroyers USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-691) and USS Moale (DD-693) are damaged by horizontal bomber and naval gunfire, respectively, all in Ormoc Bay. The Japanese destroyer Kuwa is also sunk. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 65 is sunk by the submarine USS Pipefish (SS-388) in the South China Sea.
• December 4 - The destroyer USS Drayton (DD-366) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Leyte area. The Japanese destroyers Kishinami and Iwanami are sunk by the submarine USS Flasher (SS-249) in the South China Sea. Civil war erupts in Greece. Athens is placed under martial law.
• December 5 - The submarine USS Hake (SS-156) lands supplies on Panay in the Philippines. The US Naval Base at Tinian in the Marianas is established. The destroyers USS Drayton (DD-366) and USS Mugford (DD-389) are damaged by suicide planes in the Leyte area.
• December 6 - The tug ATR-1 is damaged in a collision in the Italian area.
• December 7 - Army troops are landed on the eastern shore of Ormoc Bay, Leyte following a bombardment by destroyers and rocket-firing landing craft of the naval task group under Rear Admiral A.D. Struble. The destroyer USS Mahan (DD-364) and high-speed transport USS Ward (APD-16) are damaged by suicide planes and sunk by US forces in the Leyte area. The destroyer USS Lamson (DD-367), high speed transport USS Liddle (APD-60) and LST 737 are also damaged. Japanese transport No. 11 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Leyte area.
• December 8 - A Cruiser and destroyer task group under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith) bombards air strips and shore batteries on Iwo Jima.
• December 9 - The attack transport USS Cavalier (APA-37) is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the Luzon area.
• December 10 - PT-313 is damaged by a suicide plane, beached and abandoned and the destroyer USS Hughes (DD-410) is damaged by a suicide plane, both in the Leyte area.
• December 11 - The submarine USS Gar (SS-206) lands supplies on the west coast of Luzon. The destroyer USS Reid (DD-369) is sunk by a suicide plane in the Leyte area. The submarine chaser SG-1059 is grounded and sunk near the Bahamas.
• December 12 - The destroyer USS Caldwell (DD-605) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Leyte area. The Japanese destroyer Uzuki and transport No. 159 are sunk in the Leyte area by surface craft and Marine and Army aircraft, respectively.
• December 13 - The light cruiser USS Nashville (CL-43) and destroyer USS Haraden (DD-585) are damaged by suicide planes in the Mindanao-Negros area. Japanese transports No.s 11 and 104 are sunk by the submarine USS Pintado (SS-387) in the South China Sea.
• December 14 - The rank of Fleet Admiral, US Navy is established. Japanese transport No. 109 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft and coast defense vessel No. 28 is sunk by the submarine USS Blenny (SS-324), both in the Philippines.
• December 15 - Army forces are landed on the southwest coast of Mindoro by a naval task group under Rear Admiral Struble, covered by carrier-based aircraft under Vice Admiral McCain. The escort carrier USS Marcus Island (CVE-77), destroyers USS Paul Hamilton (DD-590) and USS Howorth (DD-592) and PT-123 are damaged by suicide planes, while LST 472 and LST 738 are sunk, all in the Mindoro area. The Japanese destroyer Momo is sunk by the submarine USS Hawkbill (SS-366); coast defense vessel No. 54 and transport No. 106 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft, all in the Philippines. The command designated Naval Forces Germany, under Admiral R. Ghormley, is established with headquarters at Rosneath, Scotland.
• December 16 - The submarine USS Dace (SS-247) lays mines off of French Indochina. Battle of the Bulge. German forces counter-attack in the Ardennes begins. During the battle, Waffen SS murder 81 US prisoners of war at Malmedy.
• December 17 - PT-84 is damaged by a suicide plane in the Mindoro area.
• December 18 - A typhoon east of the Philippines heavily damages the Third Fleet. The destroyers USS Hull (DD-350), USS Monaghan (DD-354), and USS Spence (DD-512) are sunk. The light carriers USS Cowpens (CVL-25), USS Monterey (CVL-26), USS Cabot (CVL-28), and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30); escort carriers USS Altamaha (CVE-18), USS Nehenta Bay (CVE-74), USS Cape Esperance (CVE-88), and USS Kwajalein (CVE-98); light cruiser USS Miami (CL-89); destroyers USS Dewey (DD-349), USS Aylwin (DD-355), USS Buchanan (DD-484), USS Dyson (DD-572), USS Hickox (DD-673), USS Maddox (DD-731) and USS Benham (DD-796); destroyer escorts USS Melvin R. Nawman (DE-416), USS Tabberer (DE-418) and USS Waterman (DE-740); oiler USS Nantahala (AO-60) and fleet tug USS Jicarilla (ATF-104) are damaged. PT-300 is sunk by a suicide plane in the Mindoro area.
• December 19 - The Japanese carrier Unryu is sunk by the submarine USS Redfish (SS-395) in the East China Sea.
• December 20 - Organized Japanese resistance ends on Leyte. LST 359 is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the eastern Atlantic. The destroyer escort USS Fogg (DE-57) is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the eastern Atlantic. December 21 - The submarines USS Albacore (SS-218) and USS Scamp (SS-277) are reported as presumed lost. LST 460 and LST 749 are sunk by suicide planes in the Mindoro area. The destroyer USS Foote (DD-511) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Mindoro area.
• December 22 - LST 563 is grounded and sunk at Clipperton Island. The destroyer USS Bryant (DD-665) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Mindoro area. The Japanese torpedo boat Chidori is sunk by the submarine USS Tilefish (SS-307) off Honshu.
• December 24 - A cruiser and destroyer task group, under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith, bombards air strips and other Japanese installations on Iwo Jima. Japanese transports No.s 8 and 157 are sunk by naval gunfire at Iwo Jima.
• December 25 - The Naval Air Station on Samar in the Philippines is established.
• December 26 - Japanese naval vessels bombard US positions on the coast of Mindoro. The Japanese destroyer Kiyoshimo is sunk by naval vessels and Army aircraft in the Philippines. General Bastogne is relieved by General Patton.
• December 27 - A cruiser and destroyer task group, under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith, bombards Japanese installations on Iwo Jima. Japanese aircraft bomb shore positions and auxiliary shipping at Mindoro. The attacks are repeated on December 28, 29. US troops hold Bastogne. The German Ardenes offensive fails. and 31. Japanese transports No.s 7 and 132 are sunk by naval gunfire at Iwo Jima.
• December 28 - LST 750 is damaged by an aircraft torpedo off Negros in the Philippines and sunk by US forces.
• December 29 - The auxiliary USS Porcupine (IX-126) is damaged by suicide plane and sunk by US forces; and the destroyers USS Pringle (DD-477) and USS Gansevoort (DD-608) and PT-boat tender USS Orestes (AGP-10) are damaged by suicide planes, all in the Mindoro area.

• January 1 - Army troops are landed by a naval task unit on Fais Island in the Carolines, to capture and destroy a Japanese radio station. The submarine USS Stingray (SS-186) lands supplies at Tawi Tawi in the Philippines. German forces withdraw from the Ardennes.
• January 2 - The oiler USS Cowanesque (AO-79) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Luzon area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 138 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Philippines.
• January 3 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain commence a 2-day strike on Japanese shipping and aircraft in the Ryukyu Islands and Formosa. The escort carrier USS Sargent Bay (CVE-83), destroyer escort USS Robert F. Keller (DE-419) and minelayer USS Monadnock (CM-9) are damagd by collision in the Philippines. The escort carrier USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) is damaged by a suicide plane and sunk by US forces in the Luzon area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 10 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Philippines.
• January 4 - The destroyer USS Ball (DD-587) is damaged by collision in the Luzon area. The oiler USS Pecos (AO-65) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Luzon area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 210 is sunk by aircraft in Formosa Strait.
• January 5 - A cruiser and destroyer task group under Rear Admiral A.E. Smith bombards, and Army aircraft bomb, Japanese shipping and installations on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins. A cruiser and destroyer task force, under Rear Admiral McCrea, bombards Japanese installations at Suribachi Wan, Paramushiro in the Kuriles. The escort carriers USS Manila Bay (CVE-61) and USS Savo Island (CVE-78); the heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28), the destroyer USS Helm (DD-388), the destroyer escort USS Stafford (DE-411), seaplane tender (small) USS Orca (AVP-49) and ocean tug USS Apache (ATF-67) are damaged by suicide planes in the Luzon area. The destroyer USS David W. Taylor (DD-551) is damaged by a mine in the Bonins. The destroyer escort USS Edwin A. Howard (DE-346) is damaged in a collision with the destroyer escort USS Leland E. Thomas (DE-420) in the Philippines.
• January 6 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral McCain commence a 1-day attack on Japanese aircraft and airfield facilities in the Luzon area. The high-speed minesweeper USS Hovey (DMS-11) is sunk by an aircraft torpedo in the Luzon area. The high-speed minesweeper USS Long (DMS-12) is sunk by suicide plane in the Philippines. The battleships USS New Mexico (BB-40) and USS California (BB-44), the heavy cruisers USS Louisville (CA-28) and USS Minneapolis (CA-36), the light cruiser USS Columbia (C-56), the destroyers USS Newcomb (DD-586), USS Richard P. Leary (DD-664), USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Walke (DD-723), USS O'Brien (DD-725) and USS Lowry (DD-770), high-speed minesweeper USS Southard (DMS-10) and high-speed transport USS Brooks (APD-10) are damaged by suicide plane in the Luzon area (DD-586 and DD-770 also damaged by accidental US naval gunfire.)
• January 7 - A battleship, cruiser and destroyer force, under Vice Admiral Oldendorf, and aircraft from an escort carrier group under Rear Admiral C.T. Durgin, open a two-day bombardment and bombing of the beach area in Lingayen Gulg, Luzon. The high-speed minesweeper USS Palmer (DMS-5) is sunk by a horizontal bomber in the Luzon area. The attack transport USS Callaway (APA-35) and LST-912 are damaged by suicide plane in the Luzon area.
• January 8 - The escort carriers USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) and USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76) are damaged by a suicide plane in the Luzon area.
• January 9 - Army forces land in the Lingayen Gulf area of Luzon, under the cover of naval gunfire and cba. General Douglas MacArthur is in overall command of the operation. Vice Admiral Kinkaid commands the naval forces and Lt. General Krueger is the ground force commander. In support of the landings, aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral McCain, bomb Japanese airfields and shipping in the Formosa, Ryukyus and Pescadores Islands area. The battleship USS Mississippi (BB-41), light cruiser USS Colombia (CL-56), and destroyer escort USS Hodges (DE-231) are damaged by suicide plane in the Philippines. The transport USS Warhawk (AP-168) is damaged by suicide boat, the battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, the oiler USS Guadalupe (AO-32) is damaged by collision and LST 925 and LST 1028 are damaged by depth charges, all in the Philippines. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 61 and 90 and coast defense vessel No. 3 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Formosa area.
• January 10 - The destroyer USS Wicker (DD-578) is damaged by horizontal bomber; the high-speed transport USS Clemson (APD-31), attack transport USS Latimer (APA-152) and LST 507 are damaged by collision; the destroyer escort USS Leray Wilson (DE-414) and attack transport USS Dupage (APA-41) are damaged by suicide plane; and LST 610 is damaged by suicide boat, all in the Philippines. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 45 is sunk by the submarine USS Puffer (SS-268), off the Ryukyu Islands.
• January 11 - The motor minesweeper YMS-14 is sunk by collision in Boston Harbor. The high-speed transport USS Belknap (APD-34) is damaged by suicide plane; LST 270 and LST 918 are damaged by coastal defense guns and LST 700 is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, all in the Philippines.
• January 12 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain operating in the South China Sea, hit Japanese shipping, airfields, and other shore installations in southeast French Indochina. The destroyer escorts USS Richard W. Suesens (DE-342) and USS Gilligan (DE-508), attack transport USS Zeilin (APA-3) and LST 700 are damaged by suicide plane and LST 710 and LST 778 are accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, all in the Philippines. The Japanese training cruiser Kashii, frigate Chiburi, submarine chasers No.s 31 and 43, minesweeper No. 101, transport No. 140, patrolboat No. 103 and coast defense vessels No.s 17, 19, 23, 35, 43 and 51 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the South China Sea.
• January 13 - The escort carrier USS Salamaua (CVE-96) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Philippines.
• January 14 - PT-73 is grounded, beached and abandoned in the Philippines. The Japanese minelayer Yurishima is sunk by the submarine USS Cobia (SS-145) off of Sumatra.
• January 15 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral McCain, attack Japanese shipping and aircraft in the Formosa and Chinese coast areaa. The escort carrier USS Hoggatt Bay (CVE-75) is damaged by accidental explosion in the Philippines. The Japanese destroyer Hatakze, old destroyer Tsuga and transport No. 14 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Formosa area.
• January 16 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral McCain, strike Japanese shipping and installations at Hong Kong, Hainan Island and along the coast of China. The German submarine U-248 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Otter (DE-210), USS Hubbard (DE-211) USS Hayter (DE-212) and USS Varian (DE-798) in the north Atlantic. The German bulge at the Ardennes is eliminated as the US 1st and 3rd Armies join after a month long separation.
• January 17 - The escort carrier USS Nehenta Bay (CVE-74) is damaged by a storm in the Philippines. Japanese transport No. 15 is sunk by the submarine USS Tautog (SS-199) off of Kyshu, Japan. Russian forces capture Warsaw.
• January 18 - Two Japanese raiding parties land on Peleliu, Palau Islands, in an unsuccessful attempt to damage aircraft on the ground and destroyer ammunition. LST 710 and LST 752 are damaged by collision and LST 219 by grounding, all in the Philippines. The Japanese submarine RO-47 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Fleming (DE-32) in the central Pacific.
• January 20 - The submarine USS Natilus (SS-168) lands supplies on the southern coast of Mindanao. Hungary surrenders to the Allies. The Naval Technical Mission in Europe, under Commodor H.A. Schade, is established with headquarters in Paris. Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral McCain, attack Japanese shipping and airfields in Formosa, the Pescadores Islands and Sakashima and Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. Japanese aircraft make concerted counterattacks on the task force ships. The carrier USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), light carrier USS Langley (CVL-27) and destroyer USS Maddox (DD-731) are damaged by suicide plane and the carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) is damaged by accidental explosion. Japanese transports No.s 101 and 102 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Formosa and Philippines areas, respectively.
• January 22 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral McCain, strike Japanese shipping, airfields and other installations in the Ryukyu Islands.
• January 23 - The submarine USS Barb (SS-220) enters Namkwan Harbor in China and makes a torpedo attack on Japanese auxiliary shipping. The submarine USS Natilus SS-168)

delivers supplies to the east coast of Mindanao. The Japanese submarine I-48 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Corbesier (DE-438), USS Conklin (DE-438) and USS
Raby (DE-698) off of Yap Island in the Carolines.
• January 24 - A battleship, cruiser and destroyer task group, under Rear Admiral Badger,
bombards Japanese positions on Iwo Jima. Naval land-based aircraft from the Philippines
bomb Japanese shipping at Keelung, Formosa. The salvage vessel USS Extractor (ARS-15) is accidentally sunk by a US submarine in the Philippine Sea. The landing ship dock USS Shadwell (LSD-15) is damaged by aircraft torpedo in the Philippines. The Japanese destroyer Shigure is sunk by the submarine USS Blackfin (SS-322) in the Gulf of Siam.
Japanese forces retreat to the Chinese coast.
• January 26 - Russian troops liberate Auschwithz.
• January 27 - Japanese minesweeper No. 102 is sunk by the submarine USS Bergall (SS-320)

in the Java Sea.
• January 28 - The carrier USS Antietam (CV-36) is commissioned at Philadelphia.
PT-338 is grounded and sunk by US forces off Luzon. The Japanese frigate Kume is sunk by the submarine USS Spadefish (SS-411) in the Yellow Sea.
• January 29 - Army forces land near San Antonio, northwest of Subic Bay on Luzon. The cargo ship USS Serpens (AK-97) is sunk by an explosion at Guadalcanal. The transport USS Cavalier (APA-37) and repair ship USS Amycus (ARL-2) are damaged in the Philippines, by submarine torpedo and horizontal bomber, respectively.
• January 30 - Army troops are landed on Grande Island in Subic Bay, Luzon.
• January 31 - Army troops are landed at Masugbu, south of the entrance to Manila Bay, by a naval attack group, under Rear Admiral Fechteler with support by carrier-based aircraft, under Rear Admiral W.D. Sample. The submarine chaser PC-1119 is sunk by a suicide boat in the Philippines. The Japanese destroyer Ume is sunk by Army aircraft off Formosa.
• February 1 - PT-77 and PT-79 are accidentally sunk by US naval gunfire in the Philippines. Japanese transport No. 115 is sunk by Army aircraft and submarine RO-115 is sunk by the destroyers USS Jenkins (DD-447), USS O'Bannon (DD-450) and USS Bell (DD-587) and the destroyer escort USS Ulvert M. Moore (DE-442), both in the Philippines.
• February 2 - Japanese coast defense vessel No. 144 is sunk by the submarine USS Bergall (SS-321) off the Malay Peninsula. Allied forces capture Trier.
• February 4 - The Yalta Conference, between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, begins. Allied forces capture Manila.
• February 7 - The Japanese submarine RO-55 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Thomason (DE-203) in the Philippines. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 53 is sunk by the submarine USS Bergall (SS-321) in the South China Sea.
• February 9 - The submarine USS Batfish (SS-310) sinks the Japanese submarine I-41 in the Philippines. This is the first of three Japanese submarines sunk in four days by Batfish.
• February 11 - The Yalta Conference ends. LST 577 is damaged by a submarine torpedo and sunk by US forces in the Philippines. The ocean tug USS Takelma (ATF-113) is damaged in a collision in the Philippines. The Japanese submarine RO-112 is sunk by the submarine USS Batfish (SS-310) in the Philippines.
• February 12 - The Japanese submarine RO-113 is sunk by the submarine USS Batfish (SS-310) in the Philippines.
• February 13 - Motor torpedo boats enter Manila Bay for night reconnaissance. These are the first US naval units to enter Manila Bay since May, 1942. Dresden is destroyed by a firestorm after an Allied bombing raid.
• February 14 - The motor minesweeper YMS-48 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Philippines. The destroyers USS Fletcher (DD-445) and USS Hopewell (DD-681) are damaged by coastal defense guns and the destroyers USS Radford (DD-446) and USS Lavallette (DD-448) are damaged by mines, all in the Philippines. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 4 and 14 are sunk by the submarine USS Hawkbill (SS-366) in the Java Sea. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 9 is sunk by the submarine USS Gato (SS-212) in the Yellow Sea.
• February 15 - Army forces are landed in the Marivels Harbor area of the Bataan Peninsula of Luzon. The submarine USS Swordfish (SS-193) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The motor minesweeper YMS-46 is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Philippines.
• February 16 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, bomb airfields, aircraft factories and shipping in the Tokyo area. The attack is repeated on the 17th. Fire support vessels and carrier-based aircraft commence a 3-day pre-landing bombardment and bombing of Iwo Jima. A cruiser and destroyer task force, under Rear Admiral McCrea, bombards Japanese shore installations at Kuabu Zake, Paramushiro in the Kuriles. Army forces, preceded by naval bombardment and attack by Army aircraft, land on Corregidor, Luzon. The submarine USS Barbel (SS-316) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The destroyers USS Ingraham (DD-694) and USS Barton (DD-722) are damaged in a collision at Iwo Jima. The submarine chaser PC-1119 is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Luzon area. The Japanese minelayer Nariu is sunk by the submarine USS Sennet (SS-408) off Shikoku, Japan.
• February 17 - The battleship USS Tennessee (BB-43), heavy cruiser USS Pensacola (CA-24) and destroyer USS Leutze (DD-481) are damaged by coastal defense guns at Iwo Jima. Also damaged at Iwo Jima are the destroyer USS Dortch (DD-670) by strafing, the destroyer USS Waldron (DD-699) by the intentional ramming of a Japanese picket boat and the tug USS Hidatsa (ATF-102) by mine. Japanese transport No. 114 is sunk by Army aircraft off Formosa and coast defense vessel No. 56 is sunk by the submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287) off Honshu, Japan. Allied forces capture Koblenz.
• February 18 - The light minelayer USS Gamble (DM-15) and high-speed transport USS Blessman (APD-48) are damaged by horizontal bomber in the Iwo Jima area.
• February 19 - Marines land on Iwo Jima, supported by intensive naval gunfire and air attack. The operation is under the overall command of Admiral Spruance, Fifth Fleet. Vice Admiral R.K. Turner is the Joint Expeditionary Force Commander and Lt. General H.M. Smith, USMC, commands the Expeditionary Troops. Naval gunfire and air bombing continue to support the troops ashore during this difficult campaign. Army troops covered by Marine aircraft are landed on the northwest coast of Samar and on Capul Island in the Philippines to insure control of the San Bernardino Strait. US naval vessels damaged in the Iwo Jima area include the heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) in a collision with the amphibious force flagship USS Estes (AGC-12), the destroyer USS Bradford (DD-545) and destroyer escort USS Finnegan by collision and the destroyer USS John W. Weeks by coastal defense guns. Japanese forces evacuate Mandalay.
• February 20 - Army troops under the cover of Marine aircraft are landed on Biri Island in the Philippines to ensure control of San Bernardino Strait. US naval vessels damaged in the Iwo Jima area include the light cruiser USS Biloxi (CL-80) and hospital ship USS Samaritan (AH-10) by accidental US naval gunfire, attack transports USS Napa (APA-157) and USS Logan (APA-196) in a collision, LST 779 by coastal mortar and the attack cargo ship USS Starr (AKA-67) by collision. The Japanese destroyer Nokaze is sunk by the submarine USS Pargo (SS-264) in the South China Sea. Allied forces capture Saarbrucken.
• February 21 - Naval land-based and Army aircraft bomb and strafe Japanese installations at Truk in the Carolines. The escort carrier USS Bismark Sea (CVE-95) is sunk by a suicide plane in the Iwo Jima area. US naval vessels damaged in the Iwo Jima area include the carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3), escort carrier USS Lunga Point (CVE-94), net cargo ship USS Keokuk (AKN-4), LST 477 and LST 809 by suicide plane; the destroyer USS Williamson (DD-244), attack cargo ship USS Yancey (AKA-93) and LST 390 by collision; and the destroyer USS Renshaw (DD-499) by submarine torpedo. Inter-American Conference in Mexico City begins.
• February 22 - The destroyer escort USS Melvin R. Nawman (DE-416) is damaged by a collision with LST 807 in the Iwo Jima area.
• February 23 - US naval vessels damaged in the Iwo Jima area include the submarine chaser PC-877 by collision; LST 684 and LST 792 by coastal defense guns; and LST 716 by grounding. The Japanese frigate Yaku is sunk by the submarine USS Hammerhead (SS-364) off Indochina and submarine chaser No. 35 is sunk by Army aircraft in the South China Sea. Russian forces capture Posnan.
• February 24 - Japanese resistance in Manila, Luzon ceases. The heavy cruiser USS San Fransisco (CA-38) and destroyers USS Colahan (DD-658) and USS Moale (DD-693) are damaged by a storm; the destroyers USS Heywood L. Edwards (DD-663) and USS Bryant (DD-665) and submarine chaser PC-578 are damaged by collision; and LST 792 is damaged by coastal defense guns, all in the Iwo Jima area. The Japanese submarine RO-49 is sunk by the submarine USS Legarto (SS-371) off Kyushu, Japan. The German submarine U-3007 is sunk by Army aircraft at Bremen, Germany.
• February 25 - Aircraft from a fast carrier force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, bomb aircraft factories and airfields near Tokyo. The destroyer USS Harrison (DD-573) is damaged in a storm south of Honshu. The attack transport USS Fayette (APA-43), attack cargo ship USS Muliphen (AKA-61) and LST 918 are damaged by collision and the seaplane tender USS Hamlin (AV-15) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire, all in the Iwo Jima area. The motor minesweeper YMS-175 is damaged by a mine in the Carolines.
• February 26 - The light cruiser USS Pasadena (CL-65) and destroyer USS Porterfield (DD-682) are damaged by naval gunfire south of Honshu, Japan. The minesweeper USS Saunter (AM-195) is damaged by a mine near Luzon. In the Iwo Jima area, LST 121 is damaged by collision and grounding and LST 760 and LST 884 are damaged by coastal defense guns. The Japanese submarines I-368 and RO-43 are sunk by aircraft (VC-82) form the escort carrier USS Anzio (CVE-57) and I-370 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Finnegan (DE-307), all in the Volcano Islands. The Japanese frigate Shonan is sunk by the submarine USS Hoe (SS-258) in the South China Sea.
• February 27 - The light carrer USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), destroyer USS Colhoun (DD-801), oiler USS Merrimack (AO-37), attack transports USS President Adams (APA-19) and USS Knox (APA-46), attack cargo ship USS Tolland (AKA-64) and LST 779 and LST 809 are damaged in collisions in the Iwo Jima area. The German submarine U-317 is sunk by US naval land-based aircraft and British surface ships in the English Channel.
• February 28 - Army troops are landed at Puerto Prince, Palawan Island in the Philippines by a naval attack group under Rear Admiral Fechteler. The landing is preceded by naval bombardment. The destroyer USS Bennet (DD-473) is damaged by aircraft bomb; the destroyer USS Terry (DD-513) is damaged by coastal defense guns; and the submarine chaser PCS-1461, attack cargo ship USS Whitley (AKA-91) and LST 641 and LST 787 are damaged by collision, all in the Iwo Jima area. The German submarine U-869 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Fowler (DE-222) and a French surface vessel off of Morocco.
• March 1 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, attack Japanese ground installations, aircraft and shipping in the Okinawa area. Army troops, supported by naval gunfire and Army aircraft, land on Lubang Island in the Philippines. The destroyers USS Terry (DD-513) and USS Colhoun (DD-801) are damaged by coastal defense guns and the attack transport USS Berrien (APA-62) is damaged by a collision, all in the Iwo Jima area. The Japanese torpedo boat Manazuru, in the Ryukyu Islands, and minelayer Tsubame, in the Formosa area, are sunk by carrier-based aircraft.
• March 2 - A cruiser and destroyer task group, under Rear Admiral Whiting, bombards Japanese positions on Okino Daito Jima in the Ryukyus. Destroyers bombard Japanese on Parece Vela Reef in the Philippine Sea. The attack cargo ship USS Stokes (AKA-68), LST 224 and LST 247, by collision, and LST 642, by grounding, are damaged in the Iwo Jima area.
• March 3 - Army troops, supported by naval gunfire and Marine aircraft, land on Masbate, Burias and Ticao Islands in the Philippines. The submarine USS Tuna (SS-203) lands supplies on the northeast coast of Borneo. The attack transport USS Bolivar is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Iwo Jima area. The Japanese oiler Hario is sunk by a mine off French Indochina.
• March 5 - LST 641 is damaged by a collision in the Iwo Jima area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 110 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Netherlands East Indies and minesweeper No. 15 is sunk by the submarine USS Tilefish (SS-307) north of the Ryukyus.
• March 6 - German forces launch their last offensive of the war to protect the Hungarian oil fields.
• March 7 - Allied forces take Cologne and establish a bridge across the Rhine at Remagen.
• March 8 - The Inter-American Conference ends. Japanese transport No. 143 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Formosa area.
• March 10 - A naval attack group, under Rear Admiral F.B. Royal, lands Army troops near Zamboanga, Mindanao in the Philippines. The landing is supported by naval gunfire and Army aircraft.
• March 11 - US naval landing craft ferry Army troops across the Rhine at the Remagen bridgehead in Germany. This operation continues throughout March. The carrier USS Randolph (CV-15) is damaged by a suicide plane at Ulithi in the Carolines. The German submarine U-681 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VPB-103) off western France and U-2515 and U-2530 are sunk by Army aircraft at Hamburg, Germany.
• March 13 - Japanese coast defense vessel No. 66 is sunk by Army aircraft in the South China Sea.
• March 14 - The submarine USS Rock (SS-274) lands supplies on Lombok Island in the Netherlands East Indies.
• March 15 - A cruiser and destroyer task force, under A McCrea, bombards Japanese shore installations on Matsuwa in the Kuriles.
• March 16 - Iwo Jima is delcared secured. Army forces supported by destroyer gunfire land on Basilan Island, Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. LST 928 is grounded in the Iwo Jima area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 69 is sunk by Army aircraft in the South China Sea.
• March 17 - The submarine USS Spot (SS-413) is damaged by naval gunfire off Formosa.
• March 18 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, bomb airfields on Kyushu, Japan. Army troops are landed on the southeast coast of Panay in the Philippines by a naval task group, under Rear Admiral Struble, under the cover of cruiser and destroyer gunfire. The carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Yorktown (CV-10) are damaged by horizontal bomber and USS Intrepid (CV-11) is damaged by a suicide plane and accidental US naval gunfire, all off of Kyushu, Japan. LST 635 is grounded in the Philippines. Japanese transport No. 18 is sunk by the submarine USS Springer (SS-414) south of the Ryukyus. The German submarine U-866 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Menges (DE-320), USS Mosley (DE-321), USS Pride (DE-323) and USS Lowe (DE-325) in the northwest Atlantic.
• March 19 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force bomb airfields on Kyushu and shipping at Kure and Kobe, Honshu in Japan. The carrier USS Essex (CV-9) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire and USS Wasp (CV-18) by dive bomber off Shikoku, Japan; USS Franklin (CV-13) is damaged by horizontal bomber off Kyushu. Japanese river gunboat Suma is sunk by an Army mine off Shanghai, China.
• March 20 - The submarine USS Perch (SS-313) lands personnel on the east coast of Borneo. The carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by accidental US naval gunfire off Japan. The destroyer USS Halsey Powell (DD-686) and submarine USS Devilfish (SS-292) are damaged by suicide plane, off Japan and the Volcano Islands, respectively. The Cargo ship USS Hercules (AK-41) is damaged by collision in the Iwo Jima area.
• March 21 - Japanese aircraft make the first know operational use of piloted bombs in an unsuccessful attack againt Rear Admiral Mitscher's fast carrier force. Japanese submarine chaser No. 33 and cable layer Tateishi are sunk by Army aircraft in the South China Sea.
• March 22 - LST 727 is grounded in the Iwo Jima area.
• March 23 - Aircraft of the fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, commence daily strikes againt the Japanese on Okinawa. The destroyer USS Haggard (DD-555) is damage by the intentional ramming of the Japanese submarine I-371, which is sunk, in the Philippine Sea. The submarine USS Seahorse (SS-304) is damaged by a horizontal bomber in the Ryukyus and the ocean tug USS Zuni (ATF-95) is damaged by grounding in the Iwo Jima area.
• March 24 - Okinawa is bombarded by battleships unde Vice Admiral Lee. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 68 and torpedo boat Tomozuru are sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the South China Sea.
• March 25 - Battleships, cruisers and destroyers, under Rear Admiral M.L. Deyo, bombard Kerama Retto and the southeast coast of Okinawa. The bombardment of Okinawa continues daily. The destroyer USS Kimberley (DD-521), light minelayer USS Robert H. Smith (DM-23) and high-speed transport USS Gilmer (APD-11) are damaged by suicide plane; the destroyer escort USS Sederstrom (DE-31) by collision; and the high-speed transport USS Knudsen (APD-11) by horizontal bomber, all in the Okinawa area.
• March 26 - Army forces are landed on Kerama Retto in the Ryukyu Islands by a naval attack group, under Rear Admiral I.N. Kiland, under cover of naval bombardment and carrier-aircraft attack. A naval attack group under Captain A.T. Sprague lands Army forces at Talisay Point, Cebu in the Philippines, under cover of cruiser and destroyer gunfire and air attack. The destroyer USS Halligan (DD-584) is sunk by a mine in the Okinawa area. The battleship USS Nevada (BB-36); light cruiser USS Biloxi (CL-80); destroyers USS Porterfield (DD-682), USS O'Brien (DD-725) and USS Callaghan (DD-792); the destroyer escort USS Foreman (DE-633); high-speed minesweeper USS Dorsey (DMS-1); and minelayer USS Skirmish (AM-303) are damaged by suicide planes in the Okinawa area. The destroyer USS Murray (DD-576) is damaged by a dive bomber, also in the Okinawa area. The submarine chaser PC-1133 is grounded in the Philippines.
• March 27 - Army troops, supported by destroyers, motor torpedo boats and air attack, land on Caballo Island, near Luzon. The carrier USS Essex (CV-9) is damaged by a "aircraft operational casualty", high-speed minesweeper USS Southard (DMS-10) and light minelayer USS Adams (DM-27) by suicide planes, all in the Okinawa area. The submarine USS Trigger (SS-237) sinks the Japanese cable layer Odate in the East China Sea.
• March 28 - The minesweeper USS Skylark (AM-63) is sunk by a mine, the attack cargo ship USS Wyandot (AKA-92) is damaged by horizontal bomber and the repair ship USS Agenor is damaged by collision, all in the Okinawa area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 33 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft off Kyushu, the frigate Mikura is sunk by the submarine USS Threadfin (SS-410) off Kyushu and minesweeper No. 11 and patrol boat No. 108 are sunk by Army aircraft in the Netherlands East Indies.
• March 29 - Aircraft from two carrier task groups, under Rear Admirals J.J. Clark and F.C. Sherman, attack airfields and shipping in the Kagoshima Bay area of Kyushu. Japanese submarine chaser No. 192 off Formosa and coast defense vessel No.s 18 and 130 in the SCS are sunk by Army aircraft. The submarine USS Hammerhead (SS-364) sinks Japanese coast defense vessel No. 84 in the South China Sea.
• March 30 - The heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area and the high-speed transport USS Roper (APD-20) is damaged by a collision in the Philippine Sea. Army aircraft sink the German submarines U-2340, in Hamburg; U-96, U-429 and U-3508 in Wilhelmshaven; and U-72, U-329, U-430, U-870, U-884 and U-886 in Bremen, Germany. Russian forces capture Danzig.
• March 31 - The heavy cruiser USS Pensacola (CA-24) and seaplane tender (small) USS Coos Bay (AVP-25) are damaged by collision in the Okinawa and Central Pacific areas, respectively. The light minelayer USS Adams (DM-27), attack transport USS Hinsdale (APA-120) and LST 724 and LST 884 are damaged by suicide planes in the Okinawa area. The destroyers USS Morrison (DD-560) and USS Stockton (DD-646) sink the Japanese submarine I-8 in the Okinawa area. Army aircraft sink the German submarines U-348, U-350 and U-1167 at Hamburg, Germany, sometime in March.
• April 1 - Marines and Army forces land on Okinawa, under cover of heavy naval gunfire and air attack. The operation is under the overall command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet with Vice Admiral Turner commanding the Joint Expeditionary Force and Lt. General A.B. Buckner commanding the ground troops. Army forces are landed near Legaspi on southern Luzon, under cover Army aircraft and naval gunfire. US naval vessels damaged during the landings include the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48), attack cargo ships USS Achernar (AKA-53) and USS Tyrrell (AKA-80) and attack transport USS Alpine (APA-92) by suicide plane; the destroyer USS Prichett (DD-561) and minesweeper USS Skirmish (AM-303) by dive bomber; destroyer escort USS Vammen (DE-644) by mine; and attack transport USS Elmore (APA-42) by horizontal bomber. US troops encirle the German forces in Ruhr.
• April 2 - Supported by destroyers, Army forces land on Bangao and Sanga Sanga Islands in the Sulu Archipelag in the Philippines. Mines are laid off Cape Kamao, Cochin China by the submarine USS Hardhead (SS-365). The destroyer USS Shaw (DD-373) is grounded in the Leyte area of the Philippines. The destroyers USS Franks (DD-554) and USS Borie (DD-704) are damaged in a collision in the Okinawa area. The attack cargo ship USS Lacerta (AKA-29) is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire in the Okinawa area. The destroyer USS Pritchett (DD-561) is damaged by horizontal bomber; the destroyer escort USS Foreman (DE-633) by dive bomber; and the attack transports USS Chilton (APA-38), USS Henrico (APA-45), USS Goodhue (APA-107) and USS Telfair (APA-210) and LST 599 are damaged by suicide plane, all in the Okinawa area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 17 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Yellow Sea.
• April 3 - The motor minesweeper YMS-71 is sunk by a mine off Borneo. The destroyer USS Sproston (DD-577) is damaged by a dive bomber; the escort carrier USS Wake Island (CVE-65) and high-speed minesweeper USS Hambleton (DMS-20) by suicide plane; and LST 554 by storm, all in the Okinawa area. The German submarines U-1221, U-2542 and U-3505 are sunk by Army aircraft at Kiel, Germany.
• April 4 - The high-speed transport USS Dickerson (APD-21) is damaged by a suicide plane and sunk by US forces in the Okinawa area. The destroyer USS Normal Scott (DD-690) is damaged by collision and LST 70, LST 166, LST 343, LST 399, LST 570, LST 624, LST 675, LST 689, LST 736, LST 756 and LST 781 by grounding in the Okinawa area. Army aircraft sink the German submarines U-237, U-749 and U-3003 at Kiel, Germany.
• April 5 - In Japan, the Koiso cabinet resigns; the new Prime Minister is Admiral Suzuki. The US Naval Advanced Air Base at Iwo Jima is established. The battleship USS Nevada (BB-36) is damaged by coastal defense guns; light minelayer USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-26) by aircraft torpedo; seaplane tender (destroyer) USS Thornton (AVD-11), oilers USS Ashtabula (AO-51) and USS Escalante (AO-70) and LST 273, LST 646, LST 698, LST 810, LST 940 and LST 1000 by collision, all in the Okinawa area. The repair ship USS Agenor (ARL-3) is damaged by a collision in the Iwo Jima area. The destroyer USS Hudson (DD-475) sinks the Japanese submarine RO-41.
• April 6 - The first heavy attack by Japanese suicide planes is made on US ships at Okinawa. These attacks continue throughout the Okinawa campaign. The destroyers USS Bush (DD-529) and USS Colhoun (DD-801), high-speed minesweeper USS Emmons (DMS-22) and LST 447 are sunk by suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55), light cruiser USS Pasadena (Cl-65), submarine chaser PCS-1390, attack transport USS Barnett (APA-5), attack cargo ship USS Leo (AKA-60) and LST 241 and LST 1000 are damaged by accidental US naval gunfire; high-speed transport USS Daniel T. Griffin (APD-38) by collision; destroyer USS Taussig (DD-746) and high-speed minesweeper USS Harding (DMS-28) by horizontal bomber; and light carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), destroyers USS Morris (DD-417), USS Bennett (DD-473), USS Hutchins (DD-476), USS Leutze (DD-481), USS Mullany (DD-528), USS Harrison (DD-573), USS Newcomb (DD-586), USS Howorth (DD-592), USS Haynesworth (DD-700) and USS Hyman (DD-731), destroyer escorts USS Witter (DE-636) and USS Fieberling (DE-640), high-speed minesweeper USS Rodman (DMS-21), minesweepers USS Facility (AM-133), USS Ransom (AM-283) and USS Devastor (AM-318), and motor minesweepers YMS 311 and YMS 321 by suicide planes. The Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze is sunk by Army aircraft and coast defense vessels No.s 2 and 134 off of China, and minesweeper No. 22 is sunk by the submarine USS Besugo (SS-321) in the Netherlands East Indies
• April 7 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral Mitscher attack a Japanese naval force moving through the East China Sea toward Okinawa. The battleship Yamato, light cruiser Yahagi and destroyers Asashimo, Hamakaze, Isokaze and Karumi are sunk. The Japanese light cruiser Isuzu is sunk by the submarines USS Gabilan (SS-252) and USS Charr (SS-328) off Celebes in the Netherlands East Indies. The US motor gunboat PGM-18 is sunk by a mine in the Okinawa area. US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the carrier USS Hancock (CV-19), battleship USS Maryland (BB-46), destroyer USS Longshaw (DD-559), destroyer escort USS Wesson and motor minesweeper YMS-81 by suicide plane; motor minesweeper YMS-103 by mine; motor minesweeper YMS-427 by coastal defense guns; attack transport USS Audrain (APA-59) by accidental US naval gunfire; LST 698 by grounding and LST 890 by grounding. The destroyer escort USS Gustafson (DE-182) sinks the German submarine U-857 off of Cape Cod, Massachusettes.
• April 8 - US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the destroyer USS Charles J. Badger (DD-657) and attack cargo ship USS Starr (AKA-67) by suicide boat; destroyer USS Gregory (DD-802) by suicide plane; motor minesweeper YMS-92 by mine; LST 939 by collision; and LST 940 by grounding. Japanese submarine chaser No. 101 is sunk by naval gunfire in the Netherlands East Indies.
• April 9 - Army troops, supported by destroyer gunfire and airstrikes, land on Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago. US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the escort carrier USS Chenango (CVE-28) by crash of friendly aircraft, destroyer USS Sterett (DD-407) by suicide plane, destroyer USS Porterfield (DD-682) by accidental US naval gunfire and high-speed transport USS Hopping (APD-51) and LST 557 by coastal defense guns. The destroyers USS Mertze (DD-691) and USS Monssen (DD-798) sink the Japanese submarine RO-46 in the Okinawa area. Japanese minesweeper No. 3 is sunk by the submarine USS Parche (SS-384) off of Japan.
• April 10 - Supported by naval bombardment and carrier aircraft, Army troops land on Tsuken Shima, of the east coast of Okinawa. The motor minesweeper YMS-96, by collision; submarine chaser SC-661, by grounding; and LST 449, by coastal defense guns are sunk in the Okinawa area. US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63), carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), destroyers USS Bullard (DD-660) and USS Kidd (DD-661) and destroyer escort USS Samuel S. Miles by suicide plane; carrier USS Essex (CV-9) and destroyer USS Hale (DD-642) by dive bomber; destroyer USS Trathen (DD-530) and attack cargo ship USS Leo (AKA-60) by accidental US naval gunfire; destroyer USS Hank (DD-702) and destroyer escort USS Manlove (DE-36) by aerial strafing; attack transport USS Berrien (APA-61) by collision; and LST 399 by grounding. Allied forces take Hanover.
• April 11 - Yugoslavia signs a treaty with Russia.
• April 12 - President Roosevelt dies; Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes President. The destroyer USS Mannert L. Abele (DD-733) is sunk by a piloted-bomb in the Okinawa area and LST 493 is grounded and sunk off Plymouth, England. US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the battleships USS New Mexico (BB-40), USS Idaho (BB-42) and USS Tennessee (BB-43), destroyers USS Purdy (DD-734), USS Zellars (DD-777) and USS Cassin Young (DD-793), destroyer escorts USS Riddle (DE-185), USS Rall (DE-304), USS Walter G. Wann (DE-412) and USS Whitehurst (DE-634), light minelayer USS Lindsey (DM-32) and minesweeper USS Gladiator (AM-319) by suicide plane; destroyer USS Stanly (DD-478) by piloted bomb; high-speed minesweeper USS Jeffers (DMS-27) by suicide plane and piloted bomb; gasoline tanker USS Wabash (AOG-4) and attack cargo ship USS Wyandot (AKA-92) by collision; and LST 555 by grounding. Allied forces liberate the Bechenwald and Belsen concentration camps.
• April 13 - The destroyer escort USS Connolly (DE-305) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area. Vienna is captured by the Russians.
• April 14 - US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the battleship USS New York (BB-34), destroyers USS Sigsbee (DD-502), USS Dashiell (DD-659) and USS Hunt (DD-674) by suicide plane; gunboat PGM-11 by grounding; and LST 241 by collision. The submarine USS Tirante (SS-420) sinks the Japanese frigate Nomi and coast defense vessel No. 31 in the East China Sea.
• April 15 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, attack airfields and aircraft on the ground in soutern Kyushu. The strike is repeated on the 16th. Army troops land on Carabao Island at the entrance to Manila Bay, following a naval bombardment and air attack. The submarine USS Charr (SS-328) lays mines off the Malay Peninsula. The destroyers USS Wilson (DD-408) and USS Laffey (DD-724) and the oiler USS Taluga are damaged by suicide plane, and the motor minesweeper YMS-331 is damaged by a suicide boat, all in the Okinawa area. Japanese submarines RO-64 and RO-67 and the frigate Moduto are sunk by mines in Japanese waters. Allied forces capture Arnhem.
• April 16 - Army forces, covered by naval gunfire and carrier aircraft, land on Ie Shima in the Ryukyu Islands. The carrier USS Boxer (CV-21) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia. The destroyer USS Pringle (DD-477) is sunk by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The submarine USS Kara (SS-369) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11), battleship USS Missouri (BB-63), destroyer USS Bryant (DD-665), destroyer escort USS Bowers (DE-637) and high-speed minesweepers USS Hobson (DMS-26) and USS Harding (DMS-28) by suicide plane; destroyer USS McDermut (DD-677) by accidental US naval gunfire; and minesweeper USS Champion (AM-314) by horizontal bomber. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 73 is sunk by the submarine USS Sunfish (SS-281) off Honshu. The German submarines U-880 and U-1235 are sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Frost (DE-144) and USS Stanton (DD-247) in the north Atlantic. Russian forces begin their final assault on Berlin. US forces enter Nuremberg.
• April 17 - Army forces are landed near Malabang, Parang and Cotabato on Mindanao. The destroyer USS Benham (DD-796) is damaged by a suicide plane and accidental US naval gunfire in the Okinawa area. The submarine USS Sea Owl (SS-405) sinks the Japanese submarine RO-56 in the central Pacific.
• April 18 - The light cruiser USS Mobile (CL-63) is damaged by an explosion and the light minelayer USS Tolman (DM-28) by grounding in the Okinawa area. The Japanese submarine I-56 is sunk by aircraft from the light carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29) and the destroyers USS Heerman (DD-532), USS McCord (DD-534), USS Uhlmann (DD-687), USS Mertz (DD-691) and USS Collett (DD-730) in the Okinawa area. German forces in the Ruhr pocket surrender.
• April 19 - The German submarine U-879 is sunk by destroyer escorts USS Buckley (DE-51) and USS Rueben James (DE-153) in the north Atlantic.
• April 20 - Army troops, supported by naval vessels and Army aircraft, land on Catanduanes Island in the Philippines. The submarine USS Guitarro (SS-363) lays mines off the northeast coast of Sumatra. The battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) is damaged by an explosion, the destroyer USS Ammen (DD-527) by a horizontal bomber and the submarine chaser SC-737 by grounding, all in the Okinawa area. Nuremburg is captured by Allied forces.
• April 21 - Russian troops reach Berlin.
• April 22 - The minesweeper USS Swallow (AM-65) is sunk by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area and the submarine chaser SC-1019 is grounded and sunk in the Yucatan Channel. The destroyer USS Flusser (DD-368) is damaged by a collision in the Philippines; the destroyers USS Hudson (DD-475), USS Wadsworth (DD-516) and USS Isherwood (DD-520), light minelayer USS Shea (DM-30) and the minesweepers USS Ransom (AM-283) and USS Gladiator (AM-319) are damaged by suicide plane and the oiler USS Winooski (AO-38) by collision in the Okinawa area. The German submarine U-518 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Carter (DE-112) and USS Neal A. Scott (DE-769) in the north Atlantic.
• April 23 - Russian troops enter Berlin. The gunboat PE-56 is sunk by an explosion off of Portland, Maine. The German submarine U-183 is sunk by the submarine USS Besugo (SS-321) in the Java Sea.
• April 24 - The destroyer escort USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. The German submarine U-546 is sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury (DE-133), USS Flaherty (DE-135), USS Chatelain (DE-149), USS Neunzer (DE-150), USS Hubbard (DE-211), USS Keith (DE-241), USS Janssen (DE-396) and USS Varian (DE-798) in the north Atlantic.
• April 25 - Carrier-based aircraft bomb Japanese installations on Okino Daito Jima in the Ryukyu Islands. The escort carrier USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87) and destroyer USS Hale (DD-642) are damaged by collision in the Okinawa area. The Japanese submarine RO-109 is sunk by the high-speed transport USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) in the Philippine Sea. The submarine USS Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese minesweeper No. 41 off China. The German submarine U-1107 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-103) in the English Channel.
• April 26 - The destroyer USS Hutchins (DD-476) is damaged by depth charge in the Okinawa area.
• April 27 - The heavy cruiser USS Wichita (CA-45) is damaged by coastal defense guns, the destroyer USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390), destroyer escort USS England (DE-635) and high-speed transport USS Rathorizontal Bomberurne (APD-25) by suicide plane, and the destroyer USS William D. Porter (DD-579) by accidental US naval gunfire.
• April 28 - The destroyer USS Lang is damaged by collision, the destroyers USS Wadsworth (DD-516), USS Daly (DD-519), USS Twiggs (DD-591) and USS Bennion (DD-662), high-speed minesweeper USS Butler (DMS-29), hospital ship USS Comfort (AH-6) and hospital transport USS Pinkney (APH-2) by suicide plane and motor minesweeper YMS-329 by a mine, all in the Okinawa area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 17 is sunk by the submarine USS Springer (SS-414), repair ship Hatsushima by the submarine USS Sennet (SS-408) and transport No. 146 by the submarine USS Trepang (SS-412), all off of Honshu, Japan. Mussolini is captured by partisans and executed. Allied forces capture Venice.
• April 29 - The destroyers USS Hazelwood (DD-531) and USS Haggard (DD-555) and light minelayers USS Shannon (DM-25) and USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-26) are damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area and motor minesweeper YMS-51 by a mine off Tarakan, Borneo. The Japanese submarine I-44 is sunk by aircraft (VC-92) from the escort carrier USS Tulagi (CVE-72) in the Philippine Sea. The US 7th Army liberates Dachau concentration camp.
• April 30 - Hitler commits suicide as Russian troops reach the Reichstag. Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz proclaims himself head of the German state by Hitler's appointment. The destroyer USS Jenkins (DD-447) is damaged by a mine off Tarakan, Borneo and the destroyer USS Bennion (DD-662) by suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The German submarine U-548 is sunk by destroyer escorts USS Thomas (DE-102), USS Bostwick (DE-103) and USS Coffman (DE-191) and frigate USS Natchez (PF-2) off Virginia and U-1055 by naval land-based aircraft (VPB-63) west of France. The German submarines U-677, U-906, U-982 and U-3525 are sunk in the Baltic area; U-1131, U-1227 and U-2516 in Kiel, Germany and U-2532 and U-2537 in Hamburg, Germany, sometime in April by US Army and British aircraft.
• May 1 - A naval attack force, under Vice Admiral D.E. Barbey, lands Australian troops on Tarakan Island, Borneo. The submarine USS Trigger (SS-237) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The motor minesweeper YMS-481 is sunk by coastal defense guns in the Tarakan area of Borneo.
• May 2 - The minesweepers YMS-334 and YMS-364 are damaged by coastal defense guns and minesweeper YMS-363 by a mine, all in the Tarakan area of Borneo. The Japanese Ojika is sunk by the submarine USS Springer (SS-414) in the Yellow Sea. German forces in Italy surrender.
• May 3 - Army forces, covered by cruisers and destroyers, land at Santa Cruz, Davao Gulf in the Philippines. The destroyers USS Luce (DD-511), USS Morrison (DD-560) and USS Little (DD-803) are sunk by suicide planes in the Okinawa area. The light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62), destroyers USS Bache (DD-470), USS Ingraham (DD-694) and USS Lowry (DD-770), high-speed minesweeper USS Macomb (DMS-23) and light minelayer USS Aaron Ward (DM-34) are damaged by suicide plane, the light minelayer USS Shea (DM-30) by a piloted bomb and the cargo ship USS Carina (AK-74) by a suicide boat, all in the Okinawa area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 25 is sunk by the submarine USS Springer (SS-414) in the Yellow Sea.
• May 4 - German forces in Holland, Denmark and northwest Germany surrender. Japanese aircraft stage a heavy attack on Yontan Airfield on Okinawa and on US naval vessels supporting the Okinawa operation. Coordinated with the airstrike, a minor Japanese counterlanding is attempted and repulsed. Fleet Air Wing 18 at Guam is established for operations in the Forward Area, Central Pacific. The escort carrier USS Sangamon (CVE-26), destroyers USS Hudson (DD-475) and USS Cowell (DD-547), light minelayer USS Gwin (DM-33), motor minesweeper YMS-331 and high-speed minesweeper USS Hopkins (DMS-13) are damaged by suicide planes, minesweeper USS Gayety (AM-239), motor minesweeper YMS-311 by accidental US naval gunfire, motor minesweeper YMS-327 by suicide plane and accident US naval gunfire and motor gunboat PGM-17 by grounding, all in the Okinawa area. Japanese minesweeper No. 20 is sunk by the submarine USS Trepang (SS-412) in Yellow Sea.
• May 5 - Cease fire on the Western Front. The seaplane tender USS St. George (AV-15) and surveying ship USS Pathfinder (AGS-1) are damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area.
• May 6 - A naval landing force evacuates approximately 500 Marshallese from Naluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57), is damaged by an accidental explosion and the floating drydock ARD-28 by an horizontal bomber in the Okinawa area. The German submarine U-853 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Atherton (DE-169) and the frigate USS Moberley (PF-63) near Cape Cod, Massachusettes. U-881 is sunk by the destroyer escort USS Farquhar (DE-139) in the north Atlantic.
• May 7 - Germany surrenders unconditionally to the Western Allies and Russia at Reims, France. Japanese minesweeper No. 29 is sunk by a mine in the Sea of Japan.
• May 8 - V-E Day is declared. The submarine USS Bream (SS-243) lays mines off the coast of French Indochina.
• May 9 - The destroyer escorts USS Oberrender (DE-344) and USS England (DE-635) are damaged by suicide planes in the Okinawa area. Russian troops occupy Prague. Channel Islands are liberated. Hermann Goring is captured by the US 7th Army.
• May 10 - Army troops are landed at Macaljalar Bay, Mindanao by a naval attack group under Rear Admiral Struble. The destroyer USS Brown (DD-546) and light minelayer USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-26) are damaged by suicide planes in the Okinawa area.
• May 11 - US shipping in the Okinawa area is heavily attacked by Japanese aircraft. The carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) and destroyer USS Evans (DD-551) are damaged by suicide planes and the destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) by a piloted bomb in the Okinawa area.
• May 12 - Army troops land on Tori Shima in the Ryukyus, supported by destroyers. The battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40) is damaged by a suicide plane and the heavy cruiser USS Wichita by accidental US naval gunfire in the Okinawa area.
• May 13 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, begin a two-day attack on Kyushu airfields. The carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by suicide plane and the light carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29) by accidental US naval gunfire off Honshu. The destroyer USS Bache (DD-470) and destroyer escort USS Bright (DE-747) are damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area.
• May 15 - Commander US Ports and Bases, Germany, under Rear Admiral A.G. Robinson, is established with headquarters at Bremen, Germany. The submarine USS Snook (SS-279) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The escort carrier USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) is damaged by collision in the Okinawa area. The Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka is sunk by the submarine USS Hawkbill (SS-336) off Malaya.
• May 17 - Carrier-based aircraft, under Rear Admiral C.A.F. Sprague, attack Japanese shore installations on Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshalls. The destroyer USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area.
• May 18 - The destroyer USS Longshaw (DD-559) is damaged by coastal defense guns and sunk by US forces in the Okinawa area. The high-speed transport USS Sims (APD-50) is damaged by a suicide plane and LST 808 by an aircraft torpedo in the Okinawa area.
• May 19 - Japanese installations on Paramushiro in the Kuriles is bombarded by destroyers. The destroyer escort USS Vammen (DE-655) is damaged by collision and the oiler US Cimarron (AO-22) by grounding in the Okinawa area. The motor gunboat PGM-1 is damaged by an explosion at Luzon.
• May 20 - The destroyer USS Thatcher (DD-514), destroyer escort USS John C. Butler (DE-339), high-speed transports USS Chase (APD-54) and USS Register (APD-92) and LST 808 are damaged by suicide planes and the high-speed transport USS Tattnall (APD-19) by a horizontal bomber in the Okinawa area.
• May 21 - Japanese minesweeper No. 34 is sunk by the submarine USS Chub (SS-329) in the Java Sea.
• May 22 - Japanese submarine chasers No.s 37 and 58 and transport No. 173 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft off southeastern Japan.
• May 23 - Himmler commits suicide. The German High Command and Provisional Government is imprisoned.
• May 24 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force, under Vice Admiral Mitscher, strike airfields in southern Kyushu. Japanese aircraft make a concentrated strike on US positions and shipping at Okinawa. The attacks continue on the 25th. The submarine USS Legarto (SS-371) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The escort carrier USS Suwannee (CVE-27) is damaged by an explosion; destroyer USS Heywood L. Edwards by accidental US naval gunfire; and destroyer USS Guest (DD-472), destroyer escorts USS O'Neill (DE-188) and USS William C. Cole (DE-641), high-speed minesweeper USS Butler (DMS-29), minesweeper USS Spectacle (AM-305) and high-speed transports USS Barry (APD-29) and USS Sims (APD-50) by suicide planes, all in the Okinawa area.
• May 25 - The high-speed transport USS Bates (APD-47) is sunk by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The destroyer USS Cowell (DD-547) is damaged by accidental US naval gunfire, and destroyer USS Stormer (DD-780) and high-speed transport USS Roper (APD-20) by suicide planes in the Okinawa area.
• May 26 - The destroyers USS Anthony (DD-515) and USS Braine (DD-630), high-speed minesweeper USS Forrest (DMS-24), submarine chaser PC-1603 and surveying ship USS Dutton (AGS-8) are damaged by suicide planes in the Okinawa area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 172 is sunk by a mine off Honshu.
• May 27 - The destroyer USS Drexler (DD-741) is sunk by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The destroyer escort USS Gilligan (DE-508) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo, minesweeper USS Gayety (AM-239) by horizontal bomber, ocean tug USS Pakana (ATF-108) by naval gunfire and high-speed minesweeper USS Southard (DMS-10), high-speed transports USS Loy (APD-56) and USS Rednour (APD-102), attack transport USS Sandoval (APA-194) and degaussing vehicle YDG-10 are damaged by suicide planes in the Okinawa area. May 28 - The destroyer USS Shubrick (DD-639) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area. Japanese coast defense vehicle No. 29 is sunk by a mine off Kyushu, Japan.
• May 29 - The high-speed transport USS Tatu (APD-81) is damaged by a suicide plane and motor minesweeper YMS-81 and LST 884 by grounding, all in the Okinawa area.
• May 30 - The Japanese submarine I-12 is sunk by aircraft (VC-12) from the escort carrier USS Anzio (CVE-57) in the Philippine Sea.
• June 1 - US Naval Air Facility at Peleliu Island in the Palaus is established. US Naval Advance Base is established at Bremerhaven, Germany. The submarine chaser PC-1599 is damaged by grounding in the Okinawa area.
• June 2 - Aircraft from the carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain bomb airfields in southern Kyushu. The attack is repeated on June 3.
• June 3 - A naval task group, under Rear Admiral L.F. Reifsnider, lands marines on Iheya Shima in the Ryukyus. The carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) is commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia. The cargo ship USS Allegan (AK-225) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area.
• June 4 - US Patrol vessel YP-41 is damaged by an "operational casualty" in the Okinawa area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 112 is sunk by Army aircraft in the Java Sea.
• June 5 - A typhoon in the Okinawa area heavily damages US naval vessels. Naval vessels damaged by the typhoon include the battlships USS Indiana (BB-58), USS Massachusetts (BB-59), USS Alabama (BB-60) and USS Missouri (BB-63); carriers USS Hornet (CV-12) and USS Bennington (CV-20); light carriers USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30); escort carriers USS Windham Bay (CVE-92), USS Salamaua (CVE-96), USS Bougainville (CVE-100) and USS Attu (CVE-102); heavy cruisers USS Baltimore (CA-68), USS Quincy (CD-71) and USS Pittsburgh (CA-72); light cruisers USS Detroit (CL-8), USS San Juan , USS Duluth (CL-87) and USS Atlanta (CL-104); destroyers USS Schroeder (DD-501), USS John Rodgers (DD-574), USS McKee (DD-575), USS Dashiell (DD-659), USS Stockham (DD-683), USS De Haven (DD-717), USS Maddox (DD-371), USS Blue (DD-744), USS Brush (DD-745), USS Taussig (dd-746) and USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747); destroyer escorts USS Donaldson (DE-44), USS Conklin (DE-439) and USS Hilbert (DE-742); oilers USS Lackawanna (AO-40) and USS Millicoma (AO-73); and ammunition ship USS Shasta (AE-6). The battleship USS Mississippi (BB-41) and heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28) are damaged by suicide planes and the destroyer USS Dyson (DD-571) by collision in the Okinawa area. The minesweeper USS Scuffle (AM-298) is damaged by grounding at Brunei Bay and the gasoline tanker USS Sheepscot (AOG-24) by grouding in the Iwo Jima area. The Allies divide up Germany and Berlin, taking over the government.
• June 6 - US naval vessels damaged in the Okinawa area include the escort carrier USS Natoma Bay (CVE-61) and light minelayers USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-16) and USS J. William Ditter (DM-31) by suicide plane and destroyer USS Beale (DD-471), minesweeper USS Spear (AM-322), and gasoline tanker USS Yahara (AOG-37) by collision. Japanese submarine chaser No. 195 is sunk by a mine off Honshu.
• June 7 - The destroyer USS Anthony (DD-515) is damaged by suicide plane and LST 540 by grounding in the Okinawa area. Kanoya Airfield on Kyushu is attacked by aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain. The Japanese in the Brunei Bay area are bombarded by cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Berkey. The bombardment is repeated on the ninth. The minesweeper USS Salute (AM-294) is sunk by a mine in the Borneo Area.
• June 9 - A naval task group, under Rear Admiral Reifsnider, lands Marines on Aguni Shima. A task group under Rear Admiral A.W. Radford bombs and bombards Okino Daito Jima in the Ryukyus. The destroyer escort USS Gendreau (DE-639) is damaged by coastal defense guns in the Okinawa area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 41 is sunk by the submarine USS Sea Owl (SS-405) off southern Korea.
• June 10 - Australian troops land at Brunei Bay on Borneo, supported by cruiser and destroyer gunfire and strikes by US Army and Australian aircraft. A naval task group under Rear Admiral J.J. Clark bombs and bombard the Japanese airfield and other installations on Minami Daito in the RyuKyus. The destroyer USS William D. Porter (DD-579) is sunk by suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The submarine USS Skate (SS-305) sinks the Japanese submarine I-122 in the Sea of Japan.
• June 11 - Cruisers and destroyers, under Rear Admiral J.H. Brown, bombard Japanese installations on Matsuwa in the Kuriles. The light cruiser USS Vicksburg (CL-86) is damaged by collision and the landing ship dock USS Lindenwald (LSD-6) by accidental US naval gunfire in the Okinawa area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 237 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft in the Sea of Japan.
• June 13 - The battleship USS Idaho (BB-42) is damaged by grounding in the Okinawa area.
• June 14 - The motor gunboat PGM-24 is damaged by collision in the Okinawa area.
• June 15 - The destroyer escort USS O'Flaherty (DE-340) is damaged by collision in the Okinawa area.
• June 16 - Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland is established. The destroyer USS Twiggs (DD-591) is sunk by aircraft torpedo in the Okinawa area. The escort carrier USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87) is damaged by an "aircraft operational casualty" in the Okinawa area.
• June 17 - The gasoline tanker USS Chestatee (AOG-49) is damaged by collision in the Luzon area.
• June 18 - Shore installations on Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll are bombarded by battleships and destroyers. The motor minesweeper YMS-50 is damaged by a mine and sunk by US forces in the Balikpapan, Boreo area. The seaplane tender (small) USS Yakutat (AVP-32) is damaged by a collision in the Okinawa area.
• June 19 - The minesweepers USS Device (AM-220) and USS Dour (AM-223) are damaged by collision in the Okinawa area and LST 562, also by collision, in the Brunei Bay area of Borneo.
• June 20 - Japanese positions on Wake Island are bombed by aircraft from the carrier task group under Rear Admiral R.E. Jennings. The motor minesweeper YMS-368 is damaged by a mine in the Balikpanan area.
• June 21 - Okinawa is declared secure 82 days after the initial landing. The destroyer escort USS Halloran (DE-305) and seaplane tenders USS Curtiss (AV-4) and USS Kenneth Whiting (AV-14) are damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area and motor minesweeper YMS-335 by coastal defense guns at Balikpapan, Borneo.
• June 22 - The high-speed minesweeper USS Ellyson (DMS-19) and LST 534 are damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area and motor minesweeper YMS-10 by coastal defense guns at Balikpapan, Borneo.
• June 23 - The motor minesweeper YMS-364 is damaged by coastal defense guns at Balikpapan, Borneo. Japanese submarine chasers No.s 412 and 113 and shuttleboat No. 833 are sunk by the submarine USS Hardhead (SS-365) in the Java Sea.
• June 24 - The destroyer escort USS Neuendorf (DE-200) is damaged by collision in the Philippines. Motor minesweeper YMS-339 is accidentally damaged by US naval gunfire at Balikpapan, Borneo.
• June 26 - Marines land on Kume Shima in the Ryukyus. Motor minesweepers YMS-39 and YMS-365 are sunk by mines in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. The United Nations World Charter of Security is signed in San Fransisco.
• June 27 - The seaplane tender (small) USS Suisun (AVP-53) is sunk by a collision in the Okinawa area. The destroyer USS Caldwell (DD-605) is damaged by a mine in the Brunei Bay area of Borneo. The Japanese submarine I-165 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VPB-142) in the central Pacific. Japanese submarine chaser No. 2 is sunk by the submarine USS Blueback (SS-326) in the Java Sea.
• June 28 - Motor minesweepers YMS-47, by mine, and YMS-49, by coastal defense guns, are damaged in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. The Japanese destroyer Enoki is sunk by a mine in the Sea of Japan.
• June 30 - The destroyer USS Smith (DD-378) is damaged by coastal defense guns and minesweeper YMS-314 by mine, in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. The Japanese destroyer Nara is sunk by a mine in the Sea of Japan.
• July 1 - Australian troops are landed at Balikpapan, Borneo by a naval attack group under Rear Admiral Noble. The landing is covered by Allied naval gunfire and aircraft attack. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 72 is sunk by the submarine USS Haddo (SS-255) in the Yellow Sea. US, British and French troops move into Berlin.
• July 2 - The submarine USS Barb (SS-22) bombards Japanese installations at Kaihyo Island off the east coast of Karafuto. This is the first successful use of rockets against shore positions by a US submarine. Japanese submarine chaser No. 188 is sunk by a mine in the Sea of Japan.
• July 3 - Commander, US Naval Forces, Germany, under Vice Admiral Ghormley, establishes headquarters at Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The oiler USS Ashtabula (A0-51) is damaged by collision in the Okinawa area.
• July 5 - General of the Army Douglas MacArthur announces the liberation of the Philippines. The destroyer USS Smith (DD-378) is accidentally damaged by a depth charge in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 37 is sunk by the submarine USS Lizardfish (SS-373) off of Java.
• July 9 - Motor minesweeper YMS-B4 is sunk by a mine in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No. 50 is sunk by the submarine USS Bluefish (SS-121) off Malaya.
• July 10 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain attack aifields on the Tokyo plain in Japan. US submarine chaser SC-511 founders and sinks in the Solomons. LST-1107 is damaged by grounding in the Okinawa area. Japanese destroyer Sakura is sunk by a mine in the Sea of Japan and minesweeper No. 27 is sunk by the submarine USS Runner (SS-476) off northern Honshu.
• July 12 - US submarine chaser PC-582 is damaged by grounding in the Philippines.
• July 12 - Italy declares war on Japan.
• July 14 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain bomb shipping, rail facilities and ground installations in northern Honshu and Hoddaido, Japan. The attack is repeated on the 15th. Kamaishi, Honshu is bombarded by battleships, cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral J.F. Shafroth. This is the first naval bombardment of the Japanese homeland. LST 684 and LST 816 are damaged by grounding in the Okinawa area. Japanese destroyer Tachibana and coast defense vessels No. 65 and 74 are sunk by naval land-based aircraft off northern Honshu. The Japanese submarine I-351 is sunk by the submarine USS Bluefish (SS-222) off Borneo.
• July 15 - Battleships, cruisers and destroyers, under Rear Admiral Badger, bombard the steel and iron works at Muroran on the southern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. The destroyer USS Flusser (DD-368) and light minelayer USS Thomas E. Fraser (DM-24) are damaged by collision, in the Balikpapan and Okinawa areas, respectively. Japanese minesweeper No. 24 and coast defense vessel No. 219 are sunk by carrier-based aircraft off northern Honshu.
• July 16 - Fisrt atomic bomb test is held at Alamogordo, New Mexico. Japanese submarine I-13 is sunk by aircraft (VC-13) from the escort carrier USS Anzio (CVE-57) and the destroyer escort USS Lawrence C. Taylor (DE-415), east of Japan. Japanese torpedo boat Kari is sunk by the submarine USS Baya (SS-318) in the Java Sea.
• July 17 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral McCain and a British fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral H.B. Rawlings attack airfields in the Tokyo area. The British force continues to operate as part of the US Third Fleet, under Admiral W.F. Halsey, until the end of the war. Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, under Rear Admiral O.C. Badger, bombard industrialized Mito-Hitachi area of Honshu. Potsdam Conference begins.
• July 18 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task forces of the Third Fleet strike Yokosuka Naval Base and airfields in the Tokyo area. Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral C.F. Holden bombard shore installations at Cape Nojima, Honshu. Carrier-based aircraft bomb Wake Island. The transport USS George F. Elliot (AP-105) is damaged by unknown cause in the Okinawa area. Japanese coast defense vessel No. 112 is sunk by the submarine USS Barb (SS-220) off Karafuto, Japan.
• July 19 - The destroyer USS Thatcher (DD-514) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area.
• July 20 - Japanese minesweeper No. 39 is sunk by the submarine USS Threadfin (SS-410) in the Yellow Sea.
• July 21 - The attack transport USS Marathon (APA-200) is damaged by a piloted torpedo in the Okinawa area.
• July 22 - A cruiser and destroyer task force under Rear Admiral Brown bombards Japanese installations at Suribachi, Paramushiro in the Kuriles.
• July 23 - A landing party from the submarine USS Barb (SS-220) blows up a Japanese train on the east coast of Karafuto. Japanese submarine chaser No. 227 is sunk by the submarine USS Hardhead (SS-365) off of Java.
• July 24 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task forces of the Third Fleet launch 2-day attack on the Inland Sea area of Japan, striking Kure Naval Base and airfields at Nagoya, Osaka, and Miho. Japanese naval vessels sunk in the Inland Sea area include the battleships Hyuga, Ise, and Haruna, escort carrier Kaiyo, heavy cruiser Aoba, and old heavy cruiser Iwate, by carrier-based aircraft.
• July 25 - Cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral J.C. Jones bombard the Kushimoto Seaplane Base and airfield near Shiono Misaki, Honshu.
• July 26 - Churchill is replace by Atlee as British Prime Minister. The Potsdam Declaration, calling for unconditional surrender, is delivered to Japan. The destroyer USS Lowry (DD-770) is damaged by an explosion in the Philippines.
• July 27 - The cargo ship USS Ganymede (AK-104) is damaged by a collision in the Philippines. Japanese transport No. 176 is sunk by Army aircraft off southern Kyushu.
• July 28 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task forces of the Third Fleet strike the Inland Sea area, between Nagoya, and Northern Kyushu, Japan. Kure Naval Base is the principal target. Japanese naval vessels sunk in the Inland Sea area include the aircraft carrier Amagi, heavy cruiser Tone, old heavy cruiser Izumo, light cruiser Oyodo, destroyer Nashi and submarine I-372, by carrier-based aircraft. The destroyer USS Callaghan (DD-792) is sunk by a suicide plane. USS Callaghan is the last Allied vessel to be sunk by a suicide plane. The destroyer USS Prichett (DD-561) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Okinawa area.
• July 29 - Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, under Rear Admiral J.F. Shafroth, bombard shops, the aircraft factory and other facilities at Hamamatsu, Honshu. The destroyer USS Cassin Young (DD-793) and high-speed transport USS Horace A. Bass (APD-124) are damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area. Japanese submarine chaser No. 207 is sunk by Army aircraft off Kyushu, Japan.
• July 30 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task forces of the Third Fleet bomb airfields and industrial targets in central Honshu, Japan. The heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) is sunk by a submarine torpedo in the Philippine Sea. The submarine USS Bonefish (SS-223) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific. The Japanese destroyer Hatsushimo is sunk by a mine and frigate Okinawa by carrier-based aircraft in the Sea of Japan.
• July 31 - Destroyers bombard railroad yards and industrial areas of Shimuzu, Japan. The destroyer USS Bancroft (DD-598) is damaged by collision in the Luzon area.
• August 1 - Carrier aircraft and battleships strike the Japanese on Wake Island. The battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) is damaged by coastal defense guns during the Wake Island raid.
• August 2 - Potsdam Conference ends.
• August 3 - The destroyer escort USS Earl V. Johnson (DE-70) is damaged by an explosion in the Philippine sea and the attack cargo ship USS Seminole (AKA-104) by collision in the Okinawa area.
• August 5 - The destroyer USS Bristol (DD-857) is damaged by collision in the Iwo Jima area.
• August 6 - The "Little Boy" atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Honshu. Carrier aircraft from a naval task group under Vice Admiral Oldendorf strike Japanese shipping in Tinghai Harbor, China. Carrier aircraft bomb Wake Island.
• August 7 - The submarine USS Bullhead (SS-331) is sunk in the Java Sea (presumed date). Japanese submarine chaser No. 66 and coast defense vessel No. 39 are sunk by Army aircraft, near Truk in the Carolines and the Sea of Japan, respectively.
• August 8 - The "Fat Man" atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Kyushu. Aircraft from the fast carrier task forces of the Third Fleet attack airfields and shipping in northern Honshu and Hokkaido. Battleships and cruisers, under Rear Admiral Shafroth, bombard industrial targets at Kamaishi, Honshu. Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers bombard Wake Island. Russia declares war on Japan and invades Manchuria. The destroyers USS John W. Weeks (DD-701) and USS Borie (DD-704) are damaged off Honshu, by accidental US naval gunfire and by suicide plane, respectively. Japanese minesweeper No. 33 and frigates Amakusa and Inagi are sunk by carrier-based aircraft off northern Honshu.
• August 10 - Aircraft from the fast carrier task forces of the Third Fleet attack shipping, airfields, and railroads in northern Honshu. Russian forces enter Korea. Japanese minesweeper No. 1 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft off northern Honshu and transport No. 21 by Army aircraft in the Inland Sea.
• August 11 - The destroyer USS McDermut (DD-677) is damaged by naval gunfire in the Kuriles.
• August 12 - Cruisers and destroyers bombard Japanese installations on Matsuwa and Paramushiro Islands in the Kurile Islands. The battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) is damaged by an aircraft torpedo in the Okinawa area.
• August 13 - Aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral J.S. McCain bomb targets in the Tokyo area. The attack transport USS Lagrange (APA-124) is damaged by suicide plane in the Okinawa area. The Japanese submarine I-373 is sunk by the submarine USS Spikefish (SS-404) off China and coast defense vessel No. 6 by the submarine USS Atule (SS-403) off Hokkaido, Japan.
• August 14 - Japan accepts the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration and agrees to surrender. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, USA, is named Supreme Allied Commander to receive the Japanese capitulation and conduct the occupation of Japan. Japanese coast defense vessels No.s 13 and 47 are sunk by the submarine USS Torsk (SS-423) in the Sea of Japan.
• August 15 - V-J Day declared. Before the announcement of the end of hostilities is received, aircraft from a fast carrier task force under Vice Admiral J.S. McCain raid airfields in the Tokyo area. Heavy airborne opposition is encountered. A naval task group, under Commodore R.W. Simpson, is established to liberate, evacuate, and extend medical care to Allied prisoners of war in Japan.
• August 17 - General Prince Higashikuni becomes Prime Minister of Japan and forms a new cabinet.
• August 20 - A naval task force, under Rear Admiral Badger, is formed to assume responsibility for the occupation of the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan.
• August 21 - Aisiatic Wing, Naval Air Transport Service is established at Oakland, California. Mili Atoll in the Marshalls surrenders. This is the first Japanese garrison to capitulate in the Pacific Ocean Area. Surrender is accepted on board the destroyer USS Levy (DE-162).
• August 25 - Aircraft from carrier task groups begin daily flights over Japan to patrol airfields, shipping movements, and to locate and supply prisoner of war camps. This operation continues until September 2.
• August 27 - Third Fleet stands into Sagami Bay, the outer bay to Tokyo. Two Japanese submarines surrender to four US destroyers off Honshu.
• August 28 - Air Force Technicians land at Atsugi Airdrome, near Tokyo. These are the first United States troops to land in Japan. Administrative and operational control of the Seventh Fleet passes from Commander in Chief Southwest Pacific Area (General of the Army Douglas MacArthur) to Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet (Fleet Adm. C. W. Nimitz).
• August 29 - A Japanese submarine surrenders to the submarine USS Segundo (SS-398) off northeast Honshu.
• August 30 - Landings by the occupation forces begin in the Tokyo Bay area under cover of guns of the Third Fleet plus Naval and Army aircraft. Yokosuka Naval Base's surrender is accepted by Rear Admirals R.B. Carney and O.C. Badger. Headquarters of Commander Third Fleet is established at Yokosuka Naval Base.
• August 31 - Marcus Island's surrender is accepted by Rear Admiral F.E.M. Whiting on board the destroyer USS Bagley (DD-386). Marines land at Tateyama Naval Base, Honshu, and accept its surrender.
• September 2 - The Japanese surrender documents are signed on board the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) at anchor in Tokyo Bay, Japan. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur signs for the Allied Powers, and Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz signs for the United States. Army forces are landed at Yokohama, Japan, by a naval task force. Truk in the Caroline Islands, Pagan and Rota Islands in the Marianas Islands, and the Palau Islands surrender to US Naval and Marine officers on board naval vessels.
• September 5 - British forces land in Singapore.
• September 7 - Japanese forces in Shanghai surrender.
• September 9 - Remaind of Japanese forces in China surrender.
• September 13 - Japanese troops in Burma surrender.
• September 16 - The Japanese surrender Hong Kong.
• October 24 - United Nations is officially born.
• November 20 - The Nuremburg War Crimes Trials begin.

Korean War

1950

• June 24 - North Korea invades South Korea with 135,000 men, initiating the Korean War
• JUne 27 - President Harry S. Truman deploys the 7th Fleet to waters off Taiwan to prevent the spread of the conflict in Korea to other Far East waters
• June 27 - First air victory of the war. A 68th All-Weather Squadron F-82 shoots down a North Korean Yak fighter. Two more enemy planes are destroyed in this air battle
• June 29 - Fifth Air Force's 3rd Bombardment Group sends 18 B-26 Invader light bombers against Heijo Airfield near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang: 25 enemy aircraft are destroyed on the ground; one Yak fighter is shot down
• July 1 - First U.S. infantry unit arrives in Korea: 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Along with Battery A of the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, it comprises Task Force Smith
• July 2 - Off Chumunjin, on Korea's east coast, the USS Juneau helps destroy three of four attacking North Korean torpedo boats
• July 5 - Battle of Osan. First U.S. ground action of the war: Task Force Smith (406 infantrymen and 134 artillerymen) engages and delays advancing North Korean People's Army (NKPA) units
• July 6 - Fifty-seven Army nurses arrive in Pusan, Korea. They helped establish a hospital for the wounded. Two days later, on July 8, twelve Army nurses moved forward with a mobile Army surgical hospital (MASH) to Taejon
• August 4-September 16 - 16 84,478 U.S. troops participate in the defense of the Pusan Perimeter, including the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd, 24th, and 25th Infantry Divisions, and the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade
• September 15 - Inchon Landing (Operation CHROMITE). U.S. and allied forces land U.S. Marines and U.S. Army troops at Inchon
• September 15-30 - Inchon Operation and Liberation of Seoul. U.S. and allies re-capture Seoul on Sept. 27 after a week of fighting
• September 16-27 - Pusan Perimeter breakout. Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA) breaks out of the Pusan Perimeter. Four U.S. divisions (1st Cavalry Division, 2nd, 24th and 25th Infantry Divisions) participate
• October 20 - War's first airborne operation. Seventy-one C-119s and 40 C-47s of the Far East Air Force's (FEAF) Combat Cargo Command drop 2,860 paratroopers of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (RCT) at Sukch'on and Sunch'on north of Pyongyang. Only one trooper killed and 36 injured in jump. Paratroopers, in association with ground forces driving north, kill or capture about 6,000 North Koreans during this operation
• October 25 - Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) launch their first phase offensive of the Korean War
• November 8 - First all-jet combat in history. An F-80 Shooting Star of the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing shoots down a MiG-15 fighter near Sinuiju in a 30-second dogfight
• November 8-26 - FEAF B-29s and Navy aircraft attack Yalu River bridges in attempt to isolate the battlefield
• November 25-December 15 - CCF Counteroffensive in North Korea. Seven U.S. divisions participate (1st Marine Division, U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 24th and 25th Infantry Divisions)
• November 27-December 9 - Battle of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir. The encircled 1st Marine Division fights its way southward from the Chosin Reservoir to the port city of Hungnam
• December 24 - Hungnam Operation is complete—the U.S. Navy evacuates 105,000 U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces

1951

• January 1-15 - Third Phase CCF Offensive: 500,000 enemy troops push U.N. forces 50 miles south of the 38th Parallel and recapture Seoul
• February 1 - Battle of the Twin Tunnels. The 23rd Infantry Regiment (2nd Infantry Division), French Battalion and 347th Field Artillery Battalion confront several CCF regiments, killing at least 1,300 Chinese
• February 13-15 - Battle of Chipyong-ni. First mass assault by CCF: 18,000 troops. CCF offensive contained by 23rd Regiment (2nd Infantry Division), French Battalion, 1st Ranger Company, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, and Battery B of the 82nd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
• Feb. 16, 1951-July 27, 1953 - Siege of Wonsan. Task Force 95 (U.N. Blockade and Escort Force) blockades Wonsan Harbor. An unprecedented 861-day naval operation—it is the longest effective siege of a port in U.S. Navy history
• March 7-April 4 - Operation RIPPER. Drives the Communists back to the 38th Parallel and retakes Seoul. Seven U.S. divisions participate (U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 24th, and 25th Infantry Divisions, and the 1st Marine Division.)
• March 23 - Operation TOMAHAWK. One hundred twenty C-119s and C-46s drop 3,437 paratroopers of the 187th Regimental Combat Team near Munsan-ni in second largest airborne operation of the war
• April 12 - War's first major aerial duel. More than 40 MiG-15s attack a B-29 formation, shooting down two bombers. Eleven of the MiGs are destroyed, seven by B-29 gunners
• April 22-29 - CCF First Spring Offensive. Largest single battle of the Korean War. CCF launch their Spring Offensive with 250,000 men in 27 divisions. Five U.S. Army divisions (2nd, 3rd, 7th, 24th, 25th) participate
• May 17-22 - CCF Second Spring Offensive. Four U.S. divisions (U.S. Army's 2nd, 3rd and 25th Infantry Divisions, and the 1st Marine Division) participate
• May 20-September 20 - Operation STRANGLE. Massive all-out air interdiction campaign 20 is carried out by FEAF, TF 77 and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW)
• June 10-16 - Battle for the Punchbowl (vicinity Hwach'on Reservoir). The 1st Marine Division encounters heavy North Korean resistance, but succeeds in taking its objective
• August 18-September 5 - Battle of Bloody Ridge (Hill 983). The 15th Field Artillery Battalion sets a record by firing 14,425 rounds in 24 hours
• September 13-October 15 - Battle of Heartbreak Ridge (Hill 931). The 2nd Infantry Division seizes Heartbreak Ridge
• September 21 - Operation SUMMIT. A company of 228 Marines is lifted by 12 Sikorsky S-55s in the first helicopter deployment of a combat unit
• November 30 - In a rare air battle with Communist bombers, 31 Sabres knock down eight Tu-2 bombers, three La-9 propeller-driven fighters, and one MiG-15

Korean War truce talks began July 10, 1951. Although the talks started slowly, on Nov. 27, 1951, the two sides agreed on the 38th Parallel as the line of demarcation and almost immediately military operations slowed down. When Gen. Mark Clark assumed command of U.N. forces in Korea, on May 12, 1952, he was confronted with a military deadlock on the front lines, stalled Armistice negotiations, and a violent prisoner of war situation on the island of Koje-do, off the southern coast of South Korea. Clark believed that the Communists only understood force and stepped up military pressure on the enemy to break the stalemate at Panmunjom.

1952

• May 25 - Raid on Agok. Nine tanks of the 245th Tank Battalion, 45th Infantry Division, retaliate for three raids on the division's sector
• June 6-14 - Operation COUNTER. The 45th Infantry Division launches a two-phased series of attacks to establish 11 patrol bases in the Old Baldy area. Second and 3rd Battalions, 180th Infantry Regiment, fight fiercely for Outpost Eerie on Hill 191, which is counterattacked by two Chinese battalions
• July 17-August 4 - Battle for Old Baldy (Hill 266)
• July 23 - FEAF and Navy planes launch massive air strikes against North Korea's hydroelectric power grid, causing an almost complete blackout for more than two weeks. Results of strikes extend into northeast China, which loses nearly 25 percent of its electrical requirements
• Aug. 12-16-Sept. 5-15 - Battle of Bunker Hill (Hill 122). First major Marine ground action in western Korea is fought by the 1st Marine Division
• August 29 - War's largest air raid. FEAF and carrier planes bomb Pyongyang in a 1,403-sortie assault—the largest single-day raid of the war
• September 1 - Largest all-Navy raid. A total of 144 planes from three carriers destroy the oil refinery at Aoji, North Korea
• September 17-24 - Outpost Kelly. The 65th Infantry Regiment (3rd Infantry Division) is besieged by CCF
• October 9-July 1953 - "Cherokee" Strikes. Seventh Fleet bombing campaign against battlefront enemy supply facilities
• October 14-25 - Operation SHOWDOWN/Battle of Hill 598 (Sniper Ridge). 7th Infantry Division battles the Chinese near Kumhwa, the right leg of the Iron Triangle
• October 26-28 - Battle of the Hook
• November 3 - Hill 851, Heartbreak Ridge area, held by the 2nd Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment (40th Infantry Division)
• December 25 - T-Bone Hill. The 38th Infantry Regiment (2nd Infantry Division) repels Chinese forces during an intense battle

1953

• January 25 - Operation SMACK. Assault on Spud Hill by elements of the 31st Infantry Regiment (7th Infantry Division)
• March 17 - Hill 355 (Little Gibraltar), held by the 9th Infantry Regiment (2nd Infantry Division), is assaulted by Chinese
• March 23-24 - Old Baldy/Pork Chop Complex. Held by 31st Infantry Regiment (7th Infantry Division). The 32nd Regiment (7th Infantry Division) relieves the 31st
• March 26-30 - Outposts at the Nevada cities (Vegas-Reno-Carson), held by the 5th Marine Regiment, come under heavy attack. A Chinese regiment is destroyed
• April 16-18 - Battle of Pork Chop Hill. The 17th and 31st Infantry Regiments (7th Infantry Division) hit hard and suffer heavy casualties
• April 20-26 - Operation Little Switch exchanges sick and wounded POWs, including 149 Americans
• May 13 - Raid on Toksan Dam. A dramatic strike by 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing F-84s destroys a major irrigation system. Five miles of valuable rice crops are scoured and miles of highways and railroad tracks are destroyed. Further attacks on irrigation dams follow over the next two weeks
• June 15 - USS Princeton launches 184 sorties, establishing a single-day Korean War record for offensive sorties flown from a carrier
• June 15 - Navy and Marine Corps aircraft fly 910 sorties—the highest combined number for a single day
• June 30 - FEAF Sabres destroy 16 MiGs, the largest number shot down in one day
• July 6-10 - Battle of Pork Chop Hill. The 7th Infantry Division is ordered to evacuate its defensive positions after five days of fighting
• July 13-20 - Battle of Kumsong River Salient. Last Communist offensive. CCF launches a six-division attack partly directed at the U.S. IX Corps (3rd, 40th, 45th Infantry Divisions). The 187th RCT is attached to 2nd Infantry Division during the fighting
• July 24-26 - Final U.S. ground combat. Heavy enemy (3,000 men) attack is launched in the Berlin Complex ("Boulder City") area held by the 7th and 1st Marine Regiments. Last Marine ground actions of the war are fought on Hills 111 and 119
• July 27 - Last air kill of the war. F-86 pilot downs an enemy transport near the Manchurian border
• July 27 - The United States, North Korea and China sign an armistice, which ends the war but fails to bring about a permanent peace. To date, the Republic of Korea (South) and Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (North) have not signed a peace treaty. A total of 33,651 service members died in battle during the Korean War; 27,709 U.S. Army; 4,269 U.S. Marines; 1,198 U.S. Air Force; and 475 U.S. Navy. 7,140 service members became prisoners of war