Japanese missions against Johnston Atoll and Johnston Island
December 15, 1941–June 1942

December 15, 1941
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-22 shells Johnston Island and destroys a 1,200-gallon oil tank. In the path of the gunfire is USS William Ward Burrows (AP-6) apparently unseen by the submarine with one shell landing astern and another passes over her forecastle the ship is not hit and escapes without damage.

December 21, 1941
(IJN) Japanese submarine I-71 surfaces after dark and fires fires star shells over Sand Island off Johnston Island but receives return fire and dives.

June 1942
(IJN) H6K Mavis piloted by Ensign Tomaro flies a reconnancence over Johnston Atoll before the Battle of Midway.