May 1, 1942 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

O'Brien was escorting a convoy to Pago Pago,and arrived on April 28th.  O'Brien would remain in Pago Pago for several weeks doing local escort duty.

Coral Sea

The anticipated Japanese invasion of the Solomons and Papua was beginning.  Port Moresby was confirmed as the main target.  Tulagi and Shortland Islands, in the Solomons chain had already been occupied on April 28th.  Task Forces 11 and 17 had combined and were moving toward the invasion area.  These two task forces would fight the battle; Task Force 16 would not arrive in time to help.

 U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Yorktown) had combined with Task Force 11 on May 1st.
  
• Task Force 11 (Lexington)  Lexington had united with Task Force 17 near Noumea on May 1st.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise and Hornet), had returned to Pearl Harbor, and were ready to move south to meet Task Forces 11 and 17 by the end of April..
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 187-188.
  
•  The First South Pacific Campaign, John B. Lundstrom, pp. 81-98.
  

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