Saturday, December 20, 2025

Saturday, 20 December 1941 US NAVY

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—In the wake of the signing of Executive Order No. 8984, Admiral Ernest J. King is announced as the designated Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet (see 30 December).

PACIFIC—SBDs (VB 6 and VS 6) from carrier Enterprise accidentally bomb submarine Pompano (SS‑181) twice, at 20°10'N,165°28'W, and 20°15'N, 165°40'W.

           PBY (VP 23) arrives at Wake Island to deliver information to the garrison concerning the relief efforts then underway (see 21 December).

           Survivors of U.S. freighter Lahaina (sunk on 11 December by Japanese submarine I 9), aided by Coast Guard cutter Tiger, reach land at Sprecklesville Beach, near Kahului, Maui, having lost four of their number during their ordeal in their one lifeboat.

           Japanese troops land at Davao, Mindanao, P.I.

           Unarmed U.S. tankship Emidio is shelled, torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I 17 about 25 miles west of Cape Mendocino, California, 40°33'N, 125°00'W (see 21 December).

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Agwiworld is shelled by Japanese submarine I 23 off the coast of California, 37°00'N, 122°00'W.

   

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

U.S.—Adm Ernest J. King is appointed CinC, U.S. Fleet.

WAKE—Patrol bomber bringing news of relief force en route to Wake arrives in Wake Lagoon.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—In another preliminary landing, Japanese invade Mindanao early in morning. Landing force goes ashore at and near Davao; after overcoming light opposition of about 2,000 Filipino troops, seizes Davao and its airfield. On Luzon, Japanese detachment starts S from Vigan toward Lingayen Gulf.

MALAYA—Indecisive fighting continues on Krian R front and along Grik road.

CHINA—Col Claire L. Chennault's AVG, based at Kunming to protect SW China and patrol Burma Road, enters combat, successfully intercepting enemy planes over Kunming. AVG is under control of Chinese Air Force.

 

US MARINE CORPS

UNITED STATES—Adm E. J. King becomes Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.

 

 

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