June 18, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 18 JUNE 1942

U.S.: Prime Minister Churchill arrives for series of Anglo-American conferences with President Roosevelt in Washington, D.C.

China: Three B-25s of the 11th BS (Medium) from Kweilin strike Tien Ho Airfield. Six bombers were reportedly destroyed on the ground. On 11 November, one of the B-25 crews (Pilot Major Bailey, Co-pilot 1st Lieutenant Elmer L. Tarbox, Navigator 2nd Lieutenant Joseph F. Dockwiller, Bombardier Sergeant Elden E. Shirley, Radio operator Sergeant Samuel 0. Koval, Engineer-Gunner Corporal Karl H. May) was decorated with the Silver Star for their part in this mission.

The citation stating: “On July 18, 1942, the above crew participated in a bombing mission against Tien Ho Airdrome, Canton, China. The actual bombing of the airdrome was performed in the face of anti-aircraft fire of heavy calibre, but so precisely did every member of this crew perform his duties that every bomb dropped was seen to land in the target area. This one mission was responsible for the total destruction of large quantities of supplies and equipment vital to the enemy. Such gallantry in action in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire while carrying out a successful attack in an area known to be defended by a superior number of enemy fighters is characteristic of the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces.”

Two more crews (Pilot 1st Lieutenant John C. Ruse, Co-pilot 2nd Lieutenant Mason O. Brown, Navigator 2nd Lieutenant Abe Schestopol, Bombardier Sergeant Frank Ralph, Engineer Staff Sergeant Charles H. Patton, Radio operator Sergeant Robert T. Schafer, Pilot Captain Everett W. Holstrom, Co-pilot 1st Lieutenant Crandall H. Hagan, Navigator 2nd Lieutenant Alton Peck, Bombardier Staff Sergeant Morris A. Paynter, Engineer Staff Sergeant. Earl D. Rhodes, Radio operator Sergeant William P. La Plant) also received the Silver Star at the same date with the following citation: “On July 18, 1942, the above crews participated in a bombing mission against Tien Ho Airdrome, Canton, China. The actual bombing of the airdrome was performed in the face of anti-aircraft fire of heavy calibre, but so precisely did every member of those crews perform his duties, that every bomb dropped was seen to land in the target area. This mission was responsible for the total destruction of at least six enemy bombers and damage to many others. Such gallantry in action in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire while carrying out a successful attack in an area known to be defended by a superior number of enemy fighters is characteristic of the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces.”

ALASKA (11th Air Force): A single LB-30, three B-17s and four B-24s make a precision high-altitude attack on Kiska Harbor. A transport is left burning and sinking, another is damaged with two scout planes were claimed as possibly shot down. B-24D pilot Captain Ira Wintermute ditches at sea with two missing and the rest rescued.

IJN: Twenty-seven G4M1 Bettys escorted by A6M2 Zeros strike Port Moresby and again bomb MV MacDhui that sinks in Fairfax Harbor.

RAN: Damaged MV MacDhui is again targeted by Japanese G4M1 Bettys and hit by bombs and sunk into Fairfax Harbor off Port Moresby.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Air echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), leaves Hickam Field with B-26s and proceeds to Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield to join the ground echelon; the squadron will fly sea-search missions until December 1942. Lost is P-400 Airacobra BX169 (pilot survived) and P-400 Airacobra BX180 (pilot survived).