PT-109

TUE 8 DEC 1942
Pacific
Motor torpedo boats PT-36, PT-37, PT-40, PT-43, PT-44, PT-48, PT-59, and PT-109* turn back eight Japanese destroyers (Captain Sato Torajiro) attempting to reinforce Guadalcanal.

Submarine Gar (SS-206) sinks Japanese cargo ship Heinan Maru, 00°52'N, 118°54'E.

USAAF B-17s and B-24s damage Japanese destroyers Asashio and Isonami off Buna, New Guinea.

Atlantic
Spanish motorship Motomar rescues the only six survivors (three merchant seamen and three Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. tanker Caddo, sunk on 23 November by German submarine U-518, at 38°10'N, 35°24'W. Neither of the other two lifeboats from Caddo are ever seen again, together with their occupants.

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*Future Prez & assassination victim Lt. (j.g.) J.F. Kennedy didn't take command of the 109 until 23 APR 1943.