War in the Pacific

Pearl Harbor Attacked

Dec 7, 1941

Japanese fighters surprise attack the American military base on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This led to the United State's entry into the war after years of isolationism. 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 were wounded.

Fall of the Philippines

Dec 8, 1941

Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese turned their focus on the American territory of the Philippines. It is considered one of the worst defeats in American military history. American forces were forced to evacuate the island.

Battle of the Java Sea

Feb 27, 1942

Japan wins first major naval battle of the war, sinking the USS Houston.

MacArthur Put in Charge

Mar 18, 1942

President Franklin Roosevelt makes Douglas MacArthur the commander of the Southwest Pacific Theater

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

American Navy and Air Force win decisive victory over the Japanese Navy. This proved to be the turning point in the war for the Americans.

Solomon Islands Campaign Begins

Aug 7, 1942

Marines land on the islands of Tulagi and Guadalcanal to meet the Japanese. This marks the first amphibious invasion of the war for the Americans.

Battle of Bismarck Sea

Mar 2, 1943

U.S. Navy defeats Japanese Navy, allowing them supremacy of the Bismarck Sea. This greatly helped the American offensive in New Guinea.

Guam Liberated

Jul 27, 1944

After bloody fighting, Americans complete the liberation of Guam from Japanese forces.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

Oct 23, 1944

American Navy wins decisive victory at Leyte Gulf off of the Philippines. This would prove extremely beneficial in taking back the Philippines.

Battle of Iwo Jima Begins

Feb 19, 1945

One of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Pacific begins here. This would end up being one of the last great battles before the end of the war.

Battle of Okinawa Begins

Apr 1, 1945

The final amphibious assault of the war. Okinawa would prove vital to the Americans plan of invading the Japanese homeland. Obviously, this invasion would never end up happening.

Philippines Liberated

Jul 5, 1945

General MacArthur declares the Philippines liberated, making good on his promise to return and take it back from the Japanese.

First Atomic Bomb Dropped

Aug 6, 1945

The first atomic bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Second Atomic Bomb Dropped

Aug 9, 1945

Americans drop the second atomic bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. The Japanese give their unconditional surrender to the Americans. The war is over.