1942
23 January	Japan invades New Britain, New Ireland, Solomons; seizes Rabaul.
8 March	Japanese invade New Guinea (Lae, Salamaua, Finschhafen).
4-8 May	Battle of the Coral Sea.
3-6 June	Battle of Midway.
28 July	Japanese start overland drive on Port Moresby from Buna-Sanananda area.
7 August	1st Marine Division lands in Tulagi area and on Guadalcanal; first American land offensive undertaken in the war against Japan.
5 September	Japanese invasion attempt wiped out at Milne Bay.
13-15 November	Battle of Guadalcanal; final Japanese attempt to engage in naval action in the Southern Solomons ends in disaster for the Japanese Navy.
9 December	Relief of 1st Marine Division begun at Guadalcanal; division transferred operationally from SoPac to SWPA.
1943
12 January	1st Marine Division arrives at Melbourne, Australia.
23 January	Australian-U.S. counter-drive recaptures Buna-Sanananda area.
7-8 February	Japanese naval feint enables Japan to deceive U.S. Fleet and facilitate the final evacuation of forces from Guadalcanal.
1-4 March	Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
29 March	Joint Chiefs of Staff issue CARTWHEEL directive.
21 June	Central Solomons campaign opened with landings by Marines and Army troops at Segi Point, New Georgia.
30 June	Woodlark and Tobriand Islands occupied by 12th Defense Bn and Army elements.
8 July	Major General W. H. Rupertus relieves Major General A. A. Vandegrift as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division.

15 August	U.S.-New Zealand forces land at Vella-Lavella.
31 August	1st Marine Division alerted for movement from Melbourne to advanced staging area.
19 September	1st Marine Division combat teams begin departure from Melbourne.
24 September	Bradbeer scout patrol to Cape Gloucester.
2 October	Capture of Finschhafen by Allied forces completes recapture of Lae area.
1 November	IMAC opens Bougainville campaign with landing at Cape Torokina.
5 November	First carrier-based air strike at Rabaul.
25 November	Kavieng, New Ireland, bombed by carrier-based planes.
30 November	Lieutenant General Walter Krueger issues Field Order No. 5 for Arawe and Cape Gloucester operations.
15 December	Amendment 1 to Field Order No. 5 issued, setting up final organization of the the BACKHANDER Task Force; 112th Cavalry RCT lands at Arawe.
26 December	1st Marine Division lands on Cape Gloucester at Silimati Point and Tauali.
30 December	Cape Gloucester airdrome declared secure.
1944
1 January	Brigadier General L. C. Shepherd, Jr., issues first ADC attack order for the drive toward Hill 660.
11 January	Marines take Aogiri Ridge and General Shepherd orders it named "Walt's Ridge."
16 January	Hill 660 taken by 3d Bn, 7th Marines.
31 January	Marine patrols locate General Matsuda's abandoned headquarters at Nakarop or "Egaroppu."
16 February	Army patrol from Arawe meets elements of the Gilnit Group on the Itni River, thus securing all western New Britain.
21 February	3d Bn, 5th Marines lands at Karai-ai.
25 February	2d Bn, 5th Marines lands at Iboki.
29 February	1st Cavalry Division lands in the Admiralties.
6 March	Combat Team A (5th Marines, reinforced) lands at Volupai Plantation for Talasea operation.
9 March	Talasea declared secure.
18 March	Patrols reach Numundo Plantation.
20 March	4th Marines seize Emirau.
22 April	Army lands at Hollandia.
28 April	1st Marine Division relieved at Cape Gloucester; command of BACKHANDER Task Force passes to Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division.
27 November	40th Infantry Division relieved on New Britain by the Australian 5th Division.
1945
6 September	Japanese surrender Rabaul to the Australians.