August 15, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 15 AUGUST 1942

SWPA (5th AF): 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Williamstown to Torrens Creek with B-17s; first mission is November 12, 1942.

USMC: 1st Marines, 7th Division including the 28th Infantry Regiment, detached and 7th Engineer Regiment, detached land as reinforcements on Guadalcanal.

USMC: Air, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, was organized at San Diego as Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific under Major General Ross E. Rowell, USMC, and was made responsible for the organization, administration, and distribution of personnel and supplies of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and 2d Marine Aircraft Wing and the 4th Marine Base Defense Battalion.

On Guadalcanal, Marine rations are cut. First destroyer-transports arrive with supplies and aviation ground crews. Solomon Islands Police Daniel Pule, Andrew Langabaea Olorere, Guma, Chaparuka, Chaku led by Martin Clemens enter the U.S. perimeter and offer their services as scouts to the U.S. Marines. The group are photographed at the at the command post near Henderson Field.

U.S. Navy: Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington, is established.