May 8, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 8 MAY 1942

Burma: Japanese occupy Myitkyina.

U.S. Navy: The Battle of the Coral Sea reaches a climax and becomes the first naval engagement of history fought without opposing warships making contact or exchanging gunfire or torpedoes. Instead, all damage is inflicted by carrier aircraft. The battle was a strategic U.S. victory and as a result, the Japanese were unable to land at Port Moresby, a key base in New Guinea and of great importance to the security of Australia. It also marks the end of the period in which the Allied forces were on the defensive and paves the way for offensive operations.

The main action occurs when SBD Dauntless from VS-2 from USS Lexington (CV-2) spot the Japanese Carrier Strike Force under Vice Admiral Takagi Takeo including Shōkaku and Zuikaku. Abord USS Yorktown (CV-5), as VB-5 pilots leave the ready room, Lieutenant John J. Powers exhorts his shipmates to "Remember the folks back home are counting on us. I am going to get a hit if I have to lay it [his bomb] on their flight deck." SBD Dauntless dive bombers from USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) damage Shōkaku and force her to withdraw. Lieutenant John J. Powers scores a direct hit on Shōkaku, pressing home his attack to a perilously low altitude of 200' and is last seen attempting, unsuccessfully, to recover from his dive. For his heroism on this day (as well as on the previous day and on May 4, 1942) he earns the Medal of Honor, posthumously. During the combat, Japanese planes from Zuikaku air group suffers heavy losses. Damage to Shōkaku, as well as to Zuikaku air group, prevents the use of those two carriers for several months, making them unavailable for immediate operations. At the same time, Japanese carrier bombers and attack planes strike Task Force 17 (TF 17). The comparatively few defending fighters compels the continuation of the use of SBDs as anti-torpedo plane patrol. Lieutenant William E. Hall from Scouting Squadron 2 (VS-2), whose performance of duty the previous day had elicited favorable notice, distinguishes himself in attacking the Japanese planes pressing home their assault on carrier USS Lexington (CV-2). Although Hall is badly wounded, he brings his damaged SBD back to his carrier having participated in the destruction of at least three carrier attack planes, bravery and skill and earns the Medal of Honor. Japanese planes, however, manage to get through and damage USS Lexington (CV-2) with bombs and torpedoes. USS Yorktown (CV-5) also sustains bomb damage at roughly Lat 14°35'S, Long 155°15'E. Aboard damaged USS Yorktown (CV-5) an engineering repair party damage led by Lieutenant Milton E. Ricketts, is mortally wounded when a bomb passes through and explodes just beneath his compartment, killing, stunning or wounding all of his men. Despite his wounds, Ricketts opens the valve on a nearby fire plug, partially leads out the hose, and directs water into the burning compartment before he drops dead. For his extraordinary heroism, he earns the Medal of Honor, posthumously. USS Lexington CV-2 is further damaged when gasoline vapors are ignited, triggering massive explosions that results in her abandonment then is scuttled by destroyer USS Phelps (DD-360) at roughly Lat 15°12'S Long 155°27'E. In total, 66 U.S. planes are lost including SBD "CLAG" 4679 pilot Commander William Bowen Ault (MIA) and SBD 4597 pilot Lt. John James Powers (MIA).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Allied bombers join USN aircraft in attacking the enemy's main support force south of San Cristobal. During the battle the reconnaissance work of the AAF proves of greater importance than bombing missions which have no real effects on the battle. Lack of USN-AAF coordination was apparent during the Battle of the Coral Sea and this eventually leads to better interservice communication. Lost is B-25C 41-12486 pilot Lt. Leland "Sonny" A. Walker force landed, two died, three rescued and P-39F Airacobra 41-7188 pilot 2nd Lt Alva Guy Hawkins ditched, pilot rescued.

U.S. Army: General MacArthur recommends that an offensive be undertaken against Japanese but desires naval, air, and ground forces strengthened first. General Wainwright dispatches messages to key officers in the Philippines, urging them to surrender their forces. On Mindanao, Japanese renew attack in evening and continue throughout night. The defeated 62d Inf is pursued toward Dalirig.

Light cruiser Nashville (CL-43) is damaged when she runs aground at Midway and afterwards must return to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Her raiding cruise to Kamchatka is postponed.

USS Grenadier (SS-210) attacks a Japanese convoy about 120 miles southwest of Kyushu and torpedoes and sinks army transport Taiyō Maru at roughly Lat 30°40'N, Long 127°54'E; Afterwards, the submarine survives persistent attacks the following day.

USS Porpoise (SS-172) is damaged by depth charges off Ceram, Moluccas, 03°50'N, 129°57'E, but remains on patrol.

USS Skipjack (SS-184) attacks Japanese convoy about 125 miles east of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, and torpedoes and sinks army cargo ship Bujun Maru, 12°18'N, 111°13'E.

IJN: Shōkaku is damaged. Lost is D3A1 Val 3381 (crew rescued).

After sunset, Japanese submarine I-30 surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glen floatplane to reconnoiter Djibouti, French Somaliland but over the target is detected and fired on by Allied warships and is forced to abort the mission.