February 2, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1942

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA: VII Interceptor Command is activated at Fort Shafter with Brigadier General Howard C. Davidson in command. Major General Willis H. Hale commands the VII Bomber Command.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) Headquarters (HQ), 7th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 8th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor) and 9th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor) arrive at Melbourne from the US with P-40's; first mission on March 14, 1942, April 20, 1942 and March 18, 1942 respectively for each squadron.

USAAF: Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earns his wings and is commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Kelly Field, Texas.