-
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid was a counter attack that hit Tokyo and other major cities in Japan. It was conducted in retaliation for the raid on Pearl Harbor. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
This was the first Air Sea battle in history. It ended in one Japanese aircraft carrier damaged and a light carrier sunk. On the US side, one carrier was sunk and another was damaged. It ended in a strategic victory for the Allies. -
Battle of Midway
Probably the most decisive sea battle of the war. It ended with one US carrier sunk and three Japanese Fleet Carriers destroyed. A few days later a fourth Japanese carrier was discovered and sunk. This battle crippled Japan's sea power for the rest of the war. -
1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal
The only available force of trained troops, The First Marines, landed on Guadalcanal Island and wrested Henderson Field from the Japanese in a six month operation. It was a pivotal moment of the war in that most of Japan's remaining Elite pilots were killed. -
Operation Overlord (D-day)
One of the best remembered aspects of US involvement on the European front was D-day. Through joint collaboration with the other Allies the operation was a success that triggered a reverse blitzing through Europe into Germany. It marked the beginning of the end for the war in Europe. -
FDR Dies
The longest incumbent president in American History, FDR died on April 12th 1945 from a brain hemorrhage. He left Vice President Truman in charge. -
Victory in Europe
After Hitler committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin, the German government surrendered and a cease-fire was called. Some isolated pockets kept fighting into the following day. -
Hiroshima
US Generals decided to release the results of the Manhattan project on Japan in an attempt to force the war to a conclusion before Russia got involved. 70,000 people died in the first blast at Hiroshima, and another bomb at Nagasaki had almost the same effect. Japan surrendered unconditionally on September 2nd 1945.