Appendix D
Chronology

The following listing of events is limited to those coming within the scope of this book, and those forecasting events to be treated in the volume to follow.

1935
5 Jun	Aviation Section of the Headquarters staff is taken from the Division of Operations and Training and established as an independent section in the Office of the Commandant.
9 Jul	Marine Corps Schools at Quantico, Virginia, publishes the Tentative Landing Operations Manual.
1 Sep	Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, is transferred from Quantico, Virginia, to San Diego, California.
1936
1 Apr	Division of Aviation established at Headquarters Marine Corps.
1937
27 Jan	The 1st and 2d Marine Brigades, the U.S. Army 1st Expeditionary Brigade, and the 1st and 2d Marine Aircraft Groups conduct Fleet Exercise No. 3 near San Diego, California.
1938
1 Jul	Marine Corps Reserve reconstituted to consist of a Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, and Organized Marine Corps Reserve, and a Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve.
1939
1 Sep	World War II breaks out in Europe.
8 Sep	The President proclaims a "limited national emergency". Marine Corps strength increased to 25,000 men.
1940
Jun	Congress authorizes the Navy to begin a 10,000-plane construction program, with 1,167 aircraft allocated for Marine aviation. Marine Corps plans to organize 4 groups of 11 squadrons each.
5 Oct	Secretary of the Navy puts all organized Marine reserve ground units and aviation squadrons on short notice for call to active duty.
1941
15 Mar	The Fleet Marine Force is divided, with the 1st Marine Division at Quantico, Virginia, becoming part of the Atlantic Fleet and the 2d Marine Division at San Diego, California, becoming part of the Pacific Fleet.
Jun	First Joint Training Force (JTF-1), consisting of the 1st Marine Division, the 1st Marine Aircraft Group, and the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division organized at Quantico, Virginia, under the command of Major General Holland M. Smith.
1 Nov	Second Joint Training Force (JTF-2), composed of the 2d Marine Division, the U.S. Army 3d Infantry Division, and the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing organized at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California, to become a part of the Pacific Fleet.

7 Dec	Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.
1942
9 Apr	End of American resistance on Bataan.
6 May	Japanese capture Corregidor.
23 May	Training Center, Fleet Marine Force, organized at Marine Barracks, New River, North Carolina, to include all Fleet Marine Force units and replacements except the 1st Marine Division.
7 Aug	1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal.
15 Aug	Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific, established at San Diego, California, under Major General Ross E. Rowell.
1943
14-23 Jan	Casablanca Conference. Agreement reached to advance toward Philippines through Central and Southwest Pacific, and to terminate hostilities only upon unconditional surrender of Japan.
21 Jan	Marine Fleet Air, West Coast (MarFAirWest) organized under Colonel Lewis G. Merritt at San Diego, California.
26 Jan	Headquarters of the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing established at Efate, New Hebrides.
9 Feb	End of organized Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal.
12-25 May	TRIDENT Conference in Washington gives general approval to plan for a drive on Japan through the Central Pacific.
14-24 Aug	QUADRANT Conference at Quebec. CCS decide to attack Japan along both Central and Southwest Pacific routes.
4 Sep	V Amphibious Corps organized under Maj-Gen Holland M. Smith to train and control troops for amphibious landings in the Central Pacific.
20 Nov	Marines land on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands.
21 Dec	Dive bombers of the 4th Base Defense Aircraft Wing carry out an attack against Jaluit Atoll, the first such target in the Marshall Islands.
30 Dec	Advance Headquarters of the 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing established on Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands.
1944
31 Jan-7 Feb	U.S. Forces invade and capture Majuro and Kwajalein Atolls in the Marshall Islands.
4 Feb	Marine aircraft carry out first photographic reconnaissance of the Japanese base at Truk in the Carolines.
17 Feb	Combined Marine-Army force lands on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls.
12 Mar	JCS direct seizure of Southern Marianas, target date 15 Jun 1944.
28 Apr	The 1st Marine Division (Reinf), commanded by Major General William H. Rupertus, is relieved on new Britain and prepares to move to Pavuvu in the Russell Islands.
15 Jun	The Marine V Amphibious Corps under Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith lands on Saipan in the Mariana Islands. U.S. Navy carrier task force strikes the Volcano-Bonin Islands in first raid on these groups. First B-29 strikes launched from China bases against mainland of Japan. FEAF established under Lieutenant General George C. Kenney. AirNorSols formed under Major General Ralph J. Mitchell.

19-20 Jun	Battle of the Philippine Sea. Carrier aircraft of TF 58 engage planes from enemy carriers and inflict crippling losses.
24 Jun	U.S. Navy carrier task force again hits Volcano-Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima.
4 Jul	Renewed carrier attacks against Volcano-Bonins.
14 Jul	Joint Staff Study for Operation STALEMATE (invasion of the Palaus) issued.
21 Jul	III Amphibious Corps lands on Guam in the Marianas.
24 Jul	4th Marine Division lands on Tinian in the Marianas.
1 Aug	End of organized enemy resistance on Tinian.
10 Aug	End of organized Japanese resistance on Guam.
15 Aug	III Amphibious Corps, upon completing its operation in the Marianas, is committed to invasion of the Palaus.
15 Sep	The 1st Marine Division, under Major General Rupertus, lands on the southwestern shore of Peleliu Island. U.S. Army troops land on Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, and capture airfield on that island. JCS decide to invade Central rather than Southern Philippines and advance target date for invasion of Leyte from 20 December to 20 October 1944.
17 Sep	81st Infantry Division, as part of III Amphibious Corps, lands on Angaur.
23 Sep	U.S. Army troop seize Ulithi as advance naval base.
28 Sep	The 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, (Reinf), under Major John H. Gustafson, lands on Ngesebus and Kongauru Islands in the Palaus, supported by VMF-114.
30 Sep	Peleliu, Angaur, Ngesebus, and Kongaru declared occupied.
3 Oct	JCS directive orders occupation of one or more islands in the Volcano-Bonins.
9 Oct	Admiral Nimitz informs General Smith that Iwo Jima is to be the objective in the Volcano-Bonins.
12 Oct	Peleliu become a Marine island command similar to Guam and Tinian.
14 Oct	V Amphibious Corps directed to prepare plans for the Iwo Jima operation.
18 Oct	Landing on Homonhon Island.
20 Oct	U.S. Army troops invade Leyte. The 1st Marine Division (Reinf) on Peleliu is relieved by the U.S. Army 81st Infantry Division.
21 Oct	Marine Carrier Groups, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, established at Santa Barbara, California, under Colonel Albert D. Cooley. Marine 5th and 11th 155mm Artillery Battalions as part of XXIV Corps Artillery in general support of U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division on Leyte.
23-26 Oct	Battle of Leyte Gulf which ends in U.S. Naval victory.

4 Nov	VMF-122, commanded by Major Joseph H. Reinburg, supports U.S. Army landing on Pulo Anna Island south of the Palaus.
5 Nov	Marine Corsair fighter-bombers based in the Marshalls hit Nauru Island in the Gilberts, setting a distance record for Corsairs with full bomb loads.
11-12 Nov	U.S. Navy surface forces rock Iwo Jima with heavy bombardment.
16 Nov	Marine Corsairs from Peleliu and Avengers from Ulithi launch a coordinated attack against Yap Island, west of Ulithi.
25 Nov	CinCPOA issues operation plan for invasion of Iwo Jima. Tentative date 3 February 1945.
3 Dec	VMF(N)-541 and VMF-115, -211, -218, and -313 of MAG-12 arrive at Tacloban, Leyte, to provide air defense.
7 Dec	MAG-12 aircraft, under Colonel William A. Willis, support U.S. Army landings at Ormoc, Leyte.
8 Dec	U.S. Navy surface units shell Iwo Jima.
11 Dec	Major Marine air attack on Japanese convoy, Ormoc Bay.
15 Dec	MAG-12 aircraft support landing of U.S. Amy on Mindoro in the Philippines.
24-27 Dec	U.S. Navy surface units bombard Volcano-Bonin Islands including Iwo Jima.
25 Dec	Leyte declared secured. Eighth Army relieves Sixth Army.
1945
2-12 Jan	MAG-14 with VMO-251 and VMF-212, -222, and -223 land at Guiuan, Samar.
5 Jan	U.S. Navy vessels shell Iwo Jima.
9 Jan	U.S. Sixth Army invades Luzon.
24 Jan	U.S. naval surface force shells Iwo Jima.
25 Jan	First Marine dive bombers arrive on Luzon.
27 Jan	Marine dive bombers fly their first mission in the Philippines.
1 Feb	Aircraft of Saipan-based Marine Bombing Squadron 612 begin nightly rocket attacks against enemy shipping and installations in the Volcano Islands.
1-4 Feb	Marine dive bombers of MAG-24 and MAG-32 protect the left flank of the 1st Cavalry Division during its drive to Manila.
13 Feb	Final rehearsals for Iwo Jima operation concluded off coast of Tinian.
15-16 Feb	V Amphibious Corps Landing Force departs Marianas after final rehearsals for assault on Iwo Jima.
16 Feb	TF 58 under Admiral Mitscher launches two day air strike against the Japanese mainland to divert attention from the imminent Iwo Jima operation.
16-18 Feb	Amphibious Support Force (TF 52) bombs and shells Iwo Jima in the course of the preparatory bombardment.
19 Feb	The 4th and 5th Marine Divisions size foothold on Iwo Jima.
21 Feb	21st Marines of the 3d Marine Division committed in zone of action of the 4th Division. Enemy executes kamikaze attack on support ships off Iwo Jima.
23 Feb	Combat patrol of the 28th Marines raises Old Glory on Mount Suribachi. Manila falls to U.S. Army troops.

25 Feb	3d Marine Division committed on Iwo Jima. General unloading of cargo gets under way. Elements of MAG-32 arrive on Mindoro, Philippines, to support U.S. Army troops.
26 Feb	Two Marine artillery spotter planes from the USS Wake Island land on Iwo Jima and become the first American planes to land on the island.
27 Feb	3d Marine Division captures the Central Airfield on Iwo Jima and seizes Hills Peter and Oboe.
28 Feb	U.S. Army troops invade Palawan in the Philippines.
2 Mar	5th Marine Division captures Hill 362A on Iwo Jima.
3 Mar	Elements of MAG-12, MAG-24, and MAG-32 support U.S. Army landings on Masbate, Burias, and Ticao Islands in the Philippines.
4 Mar	First B-29 bomber lands on Iwo Jima after being damaged over Japan.
6 Mar	U.S. Army Air Forces 15th Fighter Group arrives on Iwo Jima with P-51s and P-61s.
7 Mar	Major General James E. Chaney (USA), Island Commander, assumes responsibility for Iwo Jima base development, air defense, and airfield operation. 3d Marine Division launches predawn attack against Hill 362C and captures this objective later in the day.
8 Mar	4th Marine Division repels counterattack during the night 8-9 March.
9 Mar	General Holland M. Smith transfers his command post from the Eldorado to the Auburn. Admiral Turner and his staff on board Eldorado depart for Guam. Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill assumes duties of Senior Officer Present Afloat, Iwo Jima.
10 Mar	MAG-12 and MAG-32 aircraft support U.S. Army landings on Zamboanga in the Philippines. American troops land on Mindanao in the Philippines.
11 Mar	Iwo-based Army Air Forces fighters assume responsibility for providing air defense and ground support missions when last Navy escort carriers leave.
14 Mar	Official flag raising ceremony marks proclamation of U.S. Naval Military Government in the Volcano Islands. Commander, Expeditionary Troops, departs for Guam.
15 Mar	Corsairs of MAG-12 arrive on Zamboanga. Close support of U.S. Army 41st Infantry Division gets under way.
16 Mar	Cushman's Pocket on Iwo Jima eliminated. End of organized resistance in zone of action of the 3d Marine Division. Last enemy pocket in 4th Division zone wiped out. Iwo Jima declared secured at 1800.
18 Mar	U.S. Army troops invade Panay in the Philippines.

20 Mar	U.S. Army 147th Infantry Regiment arrives on Iwo Jima for garrison duty.
23 Mar	Dive bombers of MAG-32 move from Luzon to Zamboanga.
25 Mar	5th Marine Division eliminates final enemy pocket of resistance on Iwo Jima.
26 Mar	Japanese launch early morning attack against Marine and U.S. Army bivouac areas on Iwo Jima. Capture and occupation phase announced completed as of 0800. Commander, FOrward Area, Central Pacific, assumes responsibility for defense and development of Iwo Jima. Major General Chaney assumes operational control of all units on Iwo Jima. V Amphibious Corps command post on Iwo Jima closed. Major General Schmidt departs Iwo Jima by air. U.S. Army troops invade Cebu in the Philippines, supported by aircraft of MAG-12.
1 Apr	Invasion of Okinawa gets under way. U.S. Army troops land in the Sulu Archipelago and on Jolo Island in the Philippines.
14 Apr	MAG-24 dive bombers fly last Marine aviation mission on Luzon.
17 Apr	MAG-12, MAG-14, and MAG-32 support U.S. Army landings on Mindanao in the Philippines.
18 Apr	Last Marines depart from Iwo Jima.
20 Apr	Dive bombers of MAG-24 move from Luzon to Malabang.
22 Apr	MAG-24 dive bombers begin operations from Malabang.
7 May	End of war in European Theater.
25 May	JCS direct invasion of Japan, scheduled for 1 November 1945.
21 Jun	End of organized resistance on Okinawa.
6 Aug	Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
9 Aug	Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
2 Sep	Japanese sign instrument of surrender in Tokyo Bay.

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