February 14, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1942

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (7th Air Force): A B-17 flies a photo reconnaissance mission over Wake.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 9th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Melbourne to Williamstown with P-40's; first mission is 18 Mar. A detachment of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Jogjakarta begins operating from Nandi Airport with B-17's under control of US Navy (USN).

U.S. Army: USS President Taylor accidentally ran aground west of Canton Island.

U.S. Navy: Launched is Gato Class Submarine USS Wahoo (SS-238) at Mare Island and will become one of the most famous and successful submarines of World War II.