JANUARY 1942.

• Jan 1 . TF-17 (RAdm Fletcher) formed on Yorktown (CV-5) newly arrived from the Atlantic.
  
• Jan   . Lexington (CV-2, TF 11, VAdm Brown) patrols Oahu-Johnston-Palmyra triangle.
  
• Jan 6 . Yorktown (CV-5) sails from San Diego to take Second Marine Brigade to American Samoa.
• Jan 6 . Planes from Truk attack Rabaul in the Bismarcks.
• Jan 11. Enterprise (CV-6, TF 8, VAdm Halsey) departs Pearl to join escort of Marines to Samoa.
• Jan 12. Saratoga (CV-3, TF 11, VAdm Fitch) torpedoed 500 miles SE Hawaii. She is able to return to Pearl and is sent to West Coast for repairs until June 1.
• Jan 12. Captives shipped from Wake Island to Japan; 5 beheaded to assure good behavior.
• Jan 15. ABDA (American, British, Dutch and Australian) force formed in Western Pacific.
• Jan 20. Marines arrive Pago Pago covered by Enterprise  and Yorktown.
• Jan 21. Enterprise and Yorktown task forces set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts.
• Jan 22. Lexington departs to raid Wake Island, but cancels when the fleet oiler is sunk.
• Jan 23. Neches (AO-5), fleet oiler, torpedoed and sunk. Lexington has to cancel raid on Wake Island.
• Jan 23. Japanese take Rabaul, good harbor, becomes major Japanese base.
• Jan 24, Battle of Makassar Strait off Balikpapan
• Jan 27. Australians warn New Caledonia could be captured before troop ships. then underway. arrive.
• Jan 27. Submarine Gudgeon sinks Japanese submarine I-73.
• Jan 29. Inter-island army transport, General Royal T. Frank sunk with all hands by I-71, 2-miles W of Maui.
• Jan 30. Lexington sent to south to cover the attack on the Gilberts and Marshalls. < Dec 41     < First Days     Feb 42 >