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

SATURDAY, 18 JULY 1942

China: Three B-25s from Kweilin bomb 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 states: “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: “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 AF): B-17B "Old Seventy" 38-215 pilot Major Marvin E. Walseth crashed returning from a weather and photo reconnaissance over Kiska crashed on Umnak.

U.S. Navy: Amphibious Force, South Pacific Area is established under command of Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner.