July 8, 1942 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

 Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

O'Brien had joined Task Force 17 at  Pearl Harbor.

Operation Watchtower

The discovery of the beginnings of a Japanese airfield on the island of Guadalcanal raised the urgency of the planned invasion of the Solomons.  If the airfield was completed, it would endanger the new base at Espiritu Santo, and deter US movements between there and the Solomons, thus making the American advance much more difficult. Planning was continued for an August 1st invasion date.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor (until July 13).  Hornet was having some refitting done, mostly radar installations.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) would sail on July 15th for the South Pacific.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) sailed on July 7th for the South Pacific and a rendezvous with Wasp.
  
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) was heading for the South Pacific (initial destination Tonga), escorting transports with Marine forces that would  be part of the invasion of Guadalcanal (Operation Watchtower).
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 226-229.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 18-19.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 260-261.
  

 

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