December 15, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1942

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s hit Japanese forces along the Mambare River while a B-24 bombs a wrecked ship [Ayutosen Maru] at Gona.

RAAF: Hudson A16-36 (crew KIA, one survived) crashed on a mission to drop supplies at Suputa.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS: Five P-38G Lightnings escort SBDs on a mission over Munda. Returning, ditched is P-38G pilot Woods (MIA).

USN: Naval aviation cadet George H. W. Bush took off piloting N2S-3 Stearman 07103 on his first solo flight and earns his wings and becomes the yongest U.S. Naval aviator.