Jarheads Back To Samoa

TUE 20 JAN 1942
Pacific
Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larson, USMC) arrives at Pago Pago, Samoa, in transports Lurline, Matsonia, and Monterey, along with cargo ship Jupiter (AK-43) and ammunition ship Lassen (AE-3), to protect that portion of the important lifeline to Australia. Cover for the operation is provided by TF 8 formed around carrier Enterprise (CV-6) (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) formed around carrier Yorktown (CV-5). The two carrier task forces then set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter (see 1 February).

Motor torpedo boat PT-31, damaged by grounding the day before, is burned by crew to prevent capture, 14°45'N, 120°13'E.

Submarine S-36 (SS-141) is damaged when she runs aground on Taka Bakang Reef, Makassar Strait, Celebes, N.E.I., 04°57'N, 118°31'E (see 21 January).

Destroyer Edsall (DD-219) and Australian minesweeper HMAS Deloraine sink Japanese submarine I-124 off Darwin, Australia.

Japanese gunboat Aso Maru and auxiliary minesweeper No.52 Banshu Maru are sunk by mines, Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., 14°45'N, 120°17'E.

Japanese merchant storeship Sendai Maru is damaged by unknown cause off mouth of Davao Gulf.

Japanese convoy is reported in Makassar Strait, bound for Balikpapan, Borneo (see 21 January).