May 25, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 25 MAY 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (11th Air Force): 11th Fighter Squadron, 28th Composite Group based at Elmendorf Field with P-40's sends a detachment to Cold Bay.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): During the night of May 24-25 four B-17s bomb Rangoon.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's bomb Vunakanau Airfield. Eight B-25s from the 3rd Bomb Group attack Lae Airfield. Lost are B-25C "The Cajun" 41-12441 (MIA), B-25C 41-12448 (MIA), B-25C 41-12450 (MIA), B-25C 41-12466 (MIA) and B-25C 41-12498 (MIA). Force landed near Port Moresby is B-25C "Irene" 41-12442 (repaired). At Aiyary Airfield the surviving A-24 41-15822 crashed on take off. Also C-39 38-505 crashed on take off.

IJN: Lost is A6M2 Zero pilot Watanabe (MIA) intercepting B-25s off Salamaua.

USA: At the White House, U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt meets 2nd Lt. George S. Welch who claimed four aerial victories during the Japanese attack on Oahu.