August 19, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 1942

ALASKA (11th AF): Mechanical failure prevents a B-24 from flying reconnaissance over Tanaga.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping off Faisi.

USMC: Marines from L/3/5 were spotted atop Hill 73 on Guadalcanal are fired on by the Japanese using mortars and small arms. Lost was Sgt John Harold Branic (KIA) who was buried on the hilltop in a field burial. Afterwards, L/3/5 attacked the Japanese at Matanikau village and during the attack, 1st Lt. George H. Mead Jr. (KIA) was killed intercepting Japanese trying to outflank the patrol.