Previously know as New Hebrides, this was a major staging area very early in the war for the US Navy, during the Guadalcanal operation. Occupied by the American forces on March 18, 1942. These islands were the most forward base to the Solomons at the time. Although no combat took place here, there was a very active harbor and base on the island. Several crashed and forced landed aircraft are in the area, as is the wreck of the President Colidge, that sunk when it accidentally hit two US Mines.