October 16, 1942 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

O'Brien, with its escorts Cimmaron and Lang, reached Suva, Fiji on the 13th, and had only a broken plate as damage since being repaired at Noumea.  After repairs the ships left on the 16th toward American Samoa and then on to the West Coast.  There were two October 16ths, as the date line was crossed at midnight on the 16th and date was backed up a day.  Water leakage was increasing on O'Brien but was not yet considered serious.  War Damage Report #28 narration:

Task Group 66.3 arrived at Suva on 13 October. While there, damage and previous repairs to O'BRIEN were thoroughly inspected. Except for the broken plate on No. 6 port longitudinal no other evidence of failure or weakness in the repairs previously made was discovered. The broken plate was repaired by welding an angle to it, apparently along the top.

Departure from Suva was made about 1430 on 16 October. Shortly after departure and when in the open sea, rate of leakage again increased but not alarmingly so as one fire and bilge pump was more than adequate to control the leakage. Wind and sea were still very moderate.

At 0000, zone minus 12, October 17, the date was changed due to crossing the international date line and the 16th was repeated.

 Bombardment of Guadalcanal

The Marines were heavily bombarded for three consecutive nights, the first night Japanese battleships fired 14 inch shells into the airfield and surroundings.  Japanese heavy cruisers did more damage the second night.  The US Navy was unable to counter these attacks, and the Marines have not forgotten even to this day.  Most of the planes at the field were damaged or destroyed and the Japanese also landed several thousand more troops on the island.  This appeared to be another big Japanese offensive to push the Marines off the island.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) sailed from Pearl Harbor on October 16th for the South Pacific.
  
• Saratoga remained at Pearl Harbor for repairs (sailed November 10th).
  
• Combined Task Force 61 remained on patrol in the Coral Sea near Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 17 (Hornet) -> TF 61 
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 262-264.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 298-321.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 172-182.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 191-199.
• U.S.S. O'Brien (DD415) Torpedo Damage and Loss South Pacific 15 Sept. - 19 Oct. 1942, War Damage Report #28, pp. 1-6
  

 

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 20TH

September 14, 1942 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:  

Hornet and Wasp continued to patrol in the Coral Sea. 

Battle of Edson's Ridge

Japanese forces on Guadalcanal were ready for a new attack on the US Marine positions  The Marines, under Colonel Merritt Edson, had dug in on a ridge about a mile south of the airfield, and other Marines defended points near the shore.  Not all of the perimeter was defended when the battle began.  After two nights of intense fighting, with the result being in doubt several times, the Marines held, losing around 100 men versus 800 Japanese.

The current Marine garrison on Guadalcanal was exhausted after several weeks of patrolling, fending off attacks, (including many night attacks) and keeping the airplanes and runway going.  Reinforcements were on the way; a new Marine regiment was coming in from Noumea.  The transports coming in would require air cover  from Task Force 61.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) was at Pearl Harbor, for repairs to Enterprise.
  
• Saratoga was also returning to Pearl Harbor for repairs.  Arrives Sep. 21.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 remained on patrol in the Coral Sea near Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 17 (Hornet) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 250-252.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 183-219.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 123-132.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 118-131.
  

 

NEXT POST: SEPTEMBER 18TH

 

September 10, 1942 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:  

Hornet and Wasp continued to patrol in the Coral Sea. 

Operation Watchtower 

Admiral Ghormley, in charge in the South Pacific, was suffering from battle fatigue and there was a consideration of making a change.  Nimitz would visit Ghormley in person.  Admiral Halsey was returning from the illness that had kept him out of the Battle of Midway, and would command the Enterprise when it was repaired and sent back to the battle area.  In the meantime, fear of losing another carrier kept Hornet and Wasp south of the Solomon Islands, but within striking distance.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) was returning to Pearl Harbor, for repairs to Enterprise. Arrives Sep. 10.
  
• Saratoga was also returning to Pearl Harbor for repairs.  Arrives Sep. 21.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 remained on patrol in the Coral Sea near Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 17 (Hornet) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 249-250.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 164-182.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 104-125.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 118-131.
  

 

NEXT POST: SEPTEMBER 14TH

 

 

September 6, 1942 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:  

Hornet and Wasp continued to patrol in the Coral Sea.  Hornet narrowly escaped a torpedo hit when an escorting destroyer dropped a depth charge that detonated two of the torpedoes bound for Hornet.

Operation Watchtower 

Admiral Leigh Noyes had taken command of Task Force 61, flying his flag on Wasp. He created the surface task force from the ships remaining from Task Force 11, which became Task Force 64.  

Airplanes and  Marines were continually being added to the force at Guadalcanal.  This was critical as the Japanese navy was successfully landing troops, about 5,000 more during this time, on Guadalcanal also.  The island was consistently pulling in more forces on both sides and was becoming the main flash point of the Pacific war.

The thinning US carrier forces would not grow any time soon.  However, surface firepower was coming.  The new fast battleships South Dakota and Washington, were moving to the South Pacific, along with some cruisers that were specifically designed to provide potent anti-aircraft fire for task forces.  South Dakota, unfortunately, just after arriving, struck a reef and was badly damaged, and returned to Pearl Harbor for two weeks of repairs (it was also becoming an unlucky ship, like Saratoga).

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) was returning to Pearl Harbor, for repairs to Enterprise. Arrives Sep. 10.
  
• Saratoga was also returning to Pearl Harbor for repairs.  Arrives Sep. 21.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 remained on patrol in the Coral Sea near Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 17 (Hornet) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 248-249.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 164-177.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 104-122.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 118-128.
  

 

NEXT POST: SEPTEMBER 10TH

 

September 2, 1942 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:  

Task Force 17 merged into Task Force 61 on August 29th. At that point, Task Force 61 had three carriers again.

Operation Watchtower

On the 30th, just after Task Force 17 had merged into the Task Force 61 carrier force, a torpedo attack damaged the Saratoga.  Saratoga was drifting, and then under tow, before regaining power several hours later.  Saratoga, only recently back in service after repairs for a previous torpedoing, was ordered to Pearl Harbor, and continued to grow a reputation as an unlucky ship.

Admiral Fletcher went to Pearl Harbor also, and then was called to Washington; Admiral King was not approving of his actions in the various Pacific battles so far.  Fletcher was reassigned and eventually commanded in the North Pacific and Alaska, but never did command a carrier force again, despite his battle experience, mostly due to King's opposition.

Saratoga's planes were divided between Wasp, the newly named Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal, and other land bases.  (The Navy had taken to code-naming its bases after flowering plants, and Cactus seems appropriate for the rough and tumble existence at Henderson Field).

Task Force 61 continued to patrol in the Coral Sea.  The remainder of Task Force 11 (Saratoga's remaining escorts) were formed into a new surface task force, to confront Japanese surface ships, especially the destroyers delivering men and supplies to Guadalcanal.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) was returning to Pearl Harbor to repair battle damage to Enterprise.
• Task Force 11 was disbanded.  Saratoga returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 remained on patrol in the Coral Sea near Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 17 (Hornet) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 246-248.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 164-177.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 104-117.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 118-126.
  

 

NEXT POST: SEPTEMBER 6TH

 

August 29, 1942 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:  

Task Force 17 merged into Task Force 61 on August 29th.   

Operation Watchtower

The Japanese continued landing troops on Guadalcanal; they had begun to use destroyers, which were faster than transports, and continued despite the loss of one destroyer and damage to two others.  The Japanese command had abandoned for the present any attempt to take Port Moresby on New Guinea, and concentrated on Guadalcanal, continuously building the force there for new attacks.

The American carriers stood off somewhat from Guadalcanal due to fear of attacks from submarines and land based aircraft, but still patrolled the Coral Sea and awaited the next attack from the Japanese fleet.  The addition of the Hornet restored the Task Force to 3 carriers.

Destroyer Operations:

As the Task Force has now reached the battle area, there is obviously a heightened alert on all the ships, including O'Brien. To give some idea what it was like, here is an excerpt from the book Condition Red: Destroyer Actions in the South Pacific, by Frederick Jackson Bell.  This describes the routine on the USS Grayson prior to the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.  It would be very similar on the O'Brien once in Task Force 61:

"Several times each day the Enterprise launched and recovered planes, keeping a patrol around the formation, searching far out toward our van or flanks, then, when they came home, giving exercise to the Task Force in repelling air attacks.  Heading as we were for the back door of the Solomons, it would be another week before we would expect to sight enemy aircraft, but not for a moment could we drop our guard for it was by no means improbable that the Japs were trying the same stunt as we, but in reverse.  Certainly we could expect subs to be across our track.  There were no idle hands, and few idle moments, as we continued on our way.

"The crew stood a watch in three; four hours on watch, eight hours off, an arrangement that while apparently giving them only eight hours on watch out of every twenty-four is by no means so simple.  A man going off watch at midnight will be free until eight in the morning - except that he must go to his battle station when we go to General Quarters before dawn and remain there for an hour, until after sunrise, which allows him time for a bath and shave before breakfast at seven, and a few moments for a smoke before it is again time to go on watch.  Men on the mid-watch (midnight to four a. m.) get no sleep the remainder of the night.  During the forenoon they try to crowd in a little rest, but always there are drills, practice firings, or unexpected calls to G. Q. that keep them from their bunks.  They welcome the watch ending at eight in the evening, for with any luck they can be turned in by eight-thirty, and sleep until half-past three, when again it is 'Rouse the watch.  On deck the --- section', in the rolling, sleep-penetrating tones possessed by all good boatswain's mates.  There is time for a cup of coffee and a cigarette -- a face wash if they are inclined -- and up to their battle station fifteen minutes before the hour.  It is particularly hard on the engineers, especially in the tropics.  Our engineers didn't know it at the time -- no more did I -- but we were to steam for four months before we could secure the plant and let the fires die out under the boilers.  The future held many surprises of which we were happily unaware.

"Watches for the  officers are equally restrictive, except for the Captain and the Executive.  They have no regular watches, but the Executive Officer, in his capacity of navigator, has little chance for rest, and the Captain is fortunate if he has more than an hour's uninterrupted sleep at any time or if he can spend as many as five hours in his bunk in any twenty-four."

-- Frederick Jackson Bell, Condition Red: Destroyer Actions in the South Pacific, pp. 19-20. 

 

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) was returning to Pearl Harbor to repair battle damage to Enterprise.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 remained on patrol in the Coral Sea near Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 17 (Hornet) -> TF 61
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 245-247.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 164-171.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 104-110.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 118-121
• Condition Red: Destroyer Actions in the South Pacific, Frederick Jackson Bell,   pp. 19-20.  .
  

 

NEXT POST: SEPTEMBER 2ND

August 25, 1942 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

 Task Force 17 was still proceeding south to join Task Force 61.  It was nearing the Solomons on the 25th, and was ordered to refuel and prepare for action.  Here is the description from the Hornet's history:

Once TF-17 crossed the equator, Commander South Pacific Force (ComSoPac) (Vice Adm. Robert L. Ghormley) ordered it to proceed to an area west of Guadalcanal and prepare for “offensive operations further to [the] westward.” Guadalupe fueled the task force on 25 August 1942, completing the replenishment by moonlight at 2200, then, with Hughes as escort, was detached.

Operation Watchtower - Battle of the Eastern Solomons .

The Japanese now sent a new invasion force that was accompanied by a naval task force with two fleet carriers and a smaller carrier, and a heavy force of battleships and cruisers.  The US navy had two fleet carriers; Wasp had been sent south to refuel, and Hornet (Task Force 17) had not yet arrived in the South Pacific.

The ensuing carrier battle became known as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.  The Enterprise was heavily damaged, and was forced to return to Pearl Harbor.  The Japanese lost the light carrier Ryujo, and one of the larger carriers was damaged.  More importantly, their invasion force had to retreat and did not reach Guadalcanal.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was in transit the South Pacific but did not arrive in time for the battle.  It would replace the damaged Enterprise (Task Force 16) on arrival.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 fought the Battle of the Eastern Solomons and was able to repel the Japanese invasion force moving toward Guadalcanal.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) returned to Pearl Harbor to repair battle damage to Enterprise.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 243-245.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 97-164.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 70-104.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 114-118.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 29TH

 

August 21, 1942 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

 Task Force 17 was still proceeding south to join Task Force 61.  It had not yet reached the equator.

Operation Watchtower  .

Japanese destroyer transports made good on landing Colonel Ishiki with about 1000 of his troops on Guadalcanal.  They bypassed the Marine position at Lunga Point and were able to land east of there on the north side of the island.  The Marines soon detected the force; they ambushed a Japanese patrol, gained valuable intelligence, and awaited Ishiki's attack.  The Japanese thought there was only a small US presence, but were overwhelmed when they attacked near the Tenaru River, because the Marines had over 10,000 troops on the island.  Ishiki's force was wiped out, and he took his own life at the end of the battle.  The Japanese were undeterred; they immediately made plans to send a new force, accompanied by a large naval force of carriers and battleships.

The Marines also were supplied with fighters and bombers on August 20th.  Planes arriving were welcomed, but generally had short lifetimes due to the constant warfare on and over the island.  Resupply of aircraft was needed often.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was in transit the South Pacific..
  
• Combined Task Force 61 was patrolling in the Coral Sea.  The damage to the carriers was being assessed in preparation for returning one or more of them to Hawaii or the west coast for repairs.  Hornet would join soon as a replacement for carriers returned for repair.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) -> TF 61
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 241-242.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 89-97.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 1-69.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 44-113.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 25TH

 

August 17, 1942 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

O'Brien had joined Task Force 17 at  Pearl Harbor. On August 17th, Task Force 17, centered around USS Hornet, left Pearl Harbor for the South Pacific.  Here is a description from the Dictionary of Naval Fighting Ships:

Hornet, loaded, fueled, and provisioned, cleared Pearl Harbor at 1024 on 17 August 1942 as flagship for TF-17, and wearing the flag of Rear Adm. George D. Murray, who had previously commanded Enterprise. The other ships bound for the South Pacific included Hornet’s old consort Northampton, Pensacola, San Diego, the destroyers Morris (DD-417), Mustin (DD-413) O’Brien (DD-415), Hughes (DD-410), and Russell (DD-414) and the oiler Guadalupe (AO-32). Hornet maintained inner air patrols as well as “A.M. and P.M. searches,” weather permitting. As needed, the heavy cruisers operated their float planes to spell the carrier pilots on inner air patrols.

Operation Watchtower  .

A tense quiet had settled over the south Pacific for the moment.  Plans were in motion to get an air contingent to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.  On the Japanese side, transports would soon move toward Guadalcanal to deliver several hundred troops under Colonel Ichiki, who, confident of victory, prepared an immediate attack.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) left Pearl Harbor on the 17th for the South Pacific..
  
• Combined Task Force 61 was patrolling in the Coral Sea..
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) -> TF 61
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 241-242.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 89-97.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 1-69.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 44-108.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 17TH

August 13, 1942 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

 Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

O'Brien had joined Task Force 17 at  Pearl Harbor. Admiral Nimitz ordered Task Force 17 to prepare to depart for the South Pacific on August 17th.

Operation Watchtower  .

The marines had established themselves on Guadalcanal and Tulagi, but still needed to fully unload troops and provisions for maintaining their positions on the islands.  However, Admiral Fletcher moved to withdraw the three carriers, and their air cover, even earlier than the proposed time that had caused so much controversy in the pre-invasion meetings.  This left the landing beaches uncovered as troops and supplies came onboard.  Fletcher, however, was determined to preserve the carriers, as the 4 current active carriers would be all the Navy would have for at least the next year.

Battle of Savo Island

Savo Island is a nearly-round, small island that is north of the western side of Guadalcanal.  This gives two natural approaches toward Guadalcanal from the west, one north of Savo island and one south.  Two US Navy cruiser forces were patrolling on the north and south sides of the island on the evening of August 9th. 

The Japanese had thought the US carriers were still in the area and not withdrawing, and so determined to send a cruiser force at night to bombard the landing zones.  This force was not detected by the US cruiser force in time; being taken by surprise, the Allied cruisers suffered heavy losses.  Four heavy cruisers, 3 US and one Australian, were sunk, another cruiser was damaged, and a destroyer was also lost,  

The Navy now had little to cover the Marines in the Solomons.  Transports would continue to bring supplies but this would be dangerous work for now.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 supported the invasion of the Solomon Islands beginning on August 7th.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) -> TF 61
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 239-241.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 30-33.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 280-282.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 32-43.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 17TH

August 9, 1942 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

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

Operation Watchtower  .

The US Navy forces approached the southern Solomon Islands and landed forces there on August 7th.  Landings on Guadalcanal went well, and the Marines captured the airfield and set up a perimeter.  On Tulagi there was more difficulty, and Tulagi and 2 nearby islands were captured after some intense fighting over the next two days.  Land-based Japanese air forces attacked several times in the first days, but with little success.

Guadalcanal did not seem to be a critical strategic point, but  it drew in large forces on both sides for many months, and so had an outsized effect on how the war progressed.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 supported the invasion of the Solomon Islands beginning on August 7th.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) -> TF 61
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 237-238.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 30-33.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 280-282.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 32-43.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 13TH

 

 

The invasion force (now Task Force 61) moved toward the Solomons from the 1st to the 5th, and on August 5th, were about 400 miles from Guadalcanal and Tulagi.  The next day the task force would come within the normal search range of Japanese land-based planes.  

August 5, 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 invasion force (now Task Force 61) moved toward the Solomons from the 1st to the 5th, and on August 5th, were about 400 miles from Guadalcanal and Tulagi.  The next day the task force would come within the normal search range of Japanese land-based planes. 

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 was approaching the Solomon Islands to carry out the planned invasion on August 7th.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) -> TF 61
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 237-238.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 30-33.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 280-282.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 32-43.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 9TH

August 1, 1942 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

 Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien: 

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

Operation Watchtower  .

 Invasion practice continues at Koro Island.  Useful practice is conducted for all operations except landings, as the island's coral reef prevents almost all landing boats from getting ashore.  Commanders are continuing to plan the details of the invasion operations.  Admiral Ghormley, in overall command, reaches the area on August 1st and enters his flagship, USS Argonne.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Combined Task Force 61 was at Koro Island near Fiji, practicing for the invasion of the southern Solomon Islands.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) -> TF 61
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) -> TF 61
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) -> TF 61

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 236-237.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 27-30.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 280-282.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 32-39.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 5TH

 

 

July 28, 1942 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

 Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

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

Operation Watchtower  .

On July 26th, the three carrier task forces, along with an allied cruiser task force escorting troop transports, met south of Fiji.  All the task forces were now merged into a new Task Force 61 for the duration of this initial invasion of the Solomon Islands.

Naval officers met the next day to see the full plan for the invasion operation; some had not yet seen any of the plan, and most had not seen the full plan.  Landings and disembarking of troops was expected to last 2 days, and cargo ships would remain for five days to fully unload.  As the islands were almost all tropical jungle, initial supplies had to be brough with the invasion force.  Controversy erupted when Admiral Fletcher, commanding the carriers, would not agree to cover the cargo ships unloading after the first two days.  He felt that the carriers would be vulnerable to attack due to staying in a confined area.

Invasion practice started on the 29th and continued for the next few days on Koro Island near Fiji before Task Force 61 re-formed.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) joined with other task forces at the meeting point and then participated in practice landings for the upcoming invasion.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) joined with other task forces at the meeting point and then participated in practice landings for the upcoming invasion.
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) joined with other task forces at the meeting point and then participated in practice landings for the upcoming invasion.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 235-236.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 27-30.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 278-280.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 32-36.
  

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 1ST

July 24, 1942 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

O'Brien had joined Task Force 17 at  Pearl Harbor.  Although Task Force 17 was not supporting the Solomons invasion, it was still on high alert.  Admiral Nimitz was concerned about another attack on Hawaii while most of the fleet was in the South Pacific.  A single carrier task force was stretched very thin to protect the North Pacific

The Task Force 17 complement was:

• Carrier: Hornet
• Heavy Cruisers: Northampton, Salt Lake City, and Pensacola
• Light Cruiser: San Diego
• Destroyers: Destroyer Division 2

Nearly all of the remaining Sims-class destroyers in the Pacific were in the Hornet's destroyer screen, including Hughes, Anderson, Russell, O'Brien. and Mustin.  The lead ship of the class, Sims, had been lost at the Battle of the Coral Sea when attacked by most of the Japanese fleet, and Hammann was torpedoed after the Battle of Midway while escorting Yorktown; both Hammann and Yorktown were sunk.  Walke and Morris were in port for repairs.

With the plan for regular relief for carriers in the South Pacific, and Saratoga already having had engine repairs enroute, action in the South Pacific would soon be a reality for Task Force 17.

Operation Watchtower  .

Several task forces are moving toward the meeting point south of Fiji, and will then proceed for landing practice in the Fiji Islands.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) was continuing toward the South Pacific meeting point.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) was enroute to rendezvous with Task Force 18.
  
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) with Wasp temporary repairs done, continued towards the meeting point.
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 234-235.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 19-27.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 261-277.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 25-32.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 28TH

 

July 20, 1942 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

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

Operation Watchtower

Amphibious Force, South Pacific Area, is established on July 19th, Admiral Turner commanding.  This will be the command that coordinates the invasions to be conducted in the Solomons.

Several task forces are moving toward the designated meeting point south of Fiji, and will then proceed for landing practice in the Fiji Islands.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor.  Extensive training was being done during this time.
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) crossed the equator on July 19th and continued toward the South Pacific meeting point.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) was enroute to rendezvous with Task Force 18.
  
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) with Wasp temporary repairs done, continued towards the meeting point.
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 233-234.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 19-27.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 261-277.
• Neptune's Inferno, The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, James D. Hornfischer, pp. 1-25
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 24TH 

 

 

July 16, 1942 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

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

Operation Watchtower

On the 16th, there was a delay of the Solomons invasion from August 1st to August 7th.  More time was required to assemble and coordinate the invasion forces.

U. S. Navy Task Forces:

• Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor and sailed out to conducted intense training exercises for the entire task force from the 13th to the 16th..
  
• Task Force 16 (Enterprise) sailed on July 15th for the South Pacific.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) was nearing Samoa enroute to rendezvous with Task Force 18.
  
• Task Force 18 (Wasp) was nearing Tongatabu on the 13th when Wasp began to have engine trouble and slowed markedly.  Repairs were done to fix the problem but a future overhaul of the right engine would be needed.
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 231-233.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 19-27.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 261-267.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 20TH

July 12, 1942 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

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

Operation Watchtower

There was frenzied activity going on to assemble the invasion force for the Solomons.  The Army had no troops available as all its resources were being absorbed into Operation Torch (the initial invasion of North Africa).  Marine forces would have to be gathered from various South Pacific locations.  These marines would need replacements soon, and those needed to be found as well.  Ground based air forces from MacArthur would need to be coordinated.  The scramble to find forces would lead to the operation being informally known as "Operation Shoestring".

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. 229-231.
  
•  The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign,  John B. Lundstrom, pp 19-27-.
• Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 261-266.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 16TH

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.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 12TH

July 4, 1942 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:

O'Brien had returned to Pearl Harbor from Pago Pago, to join Task Force 17.

Operation Watchtower

Navy command had settled on the invasion of the Solomon Islands as the new direction for the Pacific War.  The intent was to move up the Solomons chain, to then attack and capture the Japanese naval base at Rabaul.  MacArthur would move into New Guinea and be available for the attack on Rabaul when the time came.

The initial invasion of the Solomons was to be covered by three of the US Navy fleet carriers; Task Force 17 (Hornet), with the O'Brien, was retained at Pearl Harbor as the other 3 carries went to the South Pacific.

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) was at Pearl Harbor (until July 15).  Enterprise also had some refitting, mainly anti-aircraft batteries.
  
• Task Force 11 (Saratoga) was at Pearl Harbor (until July 7).
  
• 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 the Solomons (Operation Watchtower).
  

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 224-226.
  
•  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.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 8TH