This is the order of battle of the US naval forces deployed for Operation Flintlock, a phase of the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Flintlock consisted of simultaneous landings by men of the United States Marine Corps and United States Army at Majuro Atoll and Kwajalein Atoll, both located in the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific, on 31 January 1944.
Forces of Imperial Japan held several sites in the Marshalls. Majuro Atoll was targeted by US planners because it would provide an excellent fleet anchorage;Morison, pp. 228-229 its capture was the responsibility of the 2nd Battalion (reinf.) of the US Army's 106th Infantry Regiment plus a reconnaissance company of Marines.Rottman, p. 91 Because the Japanese had abandoned it over a year earlier, the atoll was declared secure at 0950 hours on D-Day.Morison, p. 227 The Japanese command considered Kwajalein Atoll, unlike Majuro, to be vital to the defense of the Marshalls. and had heavily fortified both of its major islands. Kwajalein is shaped roughly like a boomerang. Capture of the connected islands of Roi-Namur, located in the northeast corner of the atoll, was the responsibility of the 4th Marine Division.Rottman, p. 26 Roi was declared secure at 1802 hours on D+1,Rottman, p. 50 Namur at 1418 hours on D+2.Rottman, p. 53 Kwajalein Island is located at the south corner of the atoll; its capture was assigned to the US Army's 7th Infantry Division.Rottman, p. 26 The island was declared secure at 1618 hours on D+4.Rottman, p. 66 Eniwetok Atoll, being the furthest to the northwest, lay astride the air supply route for the Japanese, making it another objective for US planners.Rottman, p. 9 It was captured as the result of Operation Catchpole in February.
Four other atolls held by the Japanese in the Marshalls (Wotje, Maloelap, Mili and Jaluit) all contained a seaplane base, an airfield or both. These sites were simply bypassed as part of the US "island-hopping" strategy.Morison, p. 206
Naval command
The roles of Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPOA) and Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), were both exercised by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz from his headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.Morison, p. 343
Since the Marshalls lie in the Central Pacific, their capture was the responsibility of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, led by Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance from aboard his flagship, heavy cruiser .Morison, p. 343
The ships and troops of Operations Flintlock were under direct operational command of Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner aboard amphibious command ship .Morison, p. 343
Since the Japanese Combined Fleet had stripped most of its air power to defend the base at Rabaul, Admiral Mineichi Koga chose not to challenge the American operations in the Marshalls.Morison, p. 223
Ground troops
V Amphibious Corps (Lieut. Gen. Holland M. Smith), USMC Roi-Namur Islands 4th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Harry Schmidt, USMC) 24,902 officers and enlistedRottman, p. 27 Kwajalein Island 7th Infantry Division (Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett, USA) 21,768 officers and enlistedRottman, p. 28
Forces afloat
Task Force 51 – Joint Expeditionary Force
Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner in amphibious command ship
TG 51.3 – Southern Defense Group Cmdr. W.J. Whiteside 4 landing ship, tank: , , LST-244, Embarking elements of the 3rd and 4th Army Defense Battalions and other troops 1 destroyer escort Evarts-class (3 × 3-in. main battery):
TG 51.4 – Southern Garrison Group Capt. H.O. Roesch 5 transports SS Cape Fear, SS Cape Isabel, SS Cape Stevens, SS Island Mail, SS Monarch of the Seas Embarking elements of the 3rd and 4th Army Defense Battalions and other troops 2 destroyer escorts Both Evarts-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): ,
TG 51.5 – Northern Defense Group Lt. Cmdr. R.V. Wheeler 4 landing ship, tank: LST-241, LST-268, , , Embarking elements of the 15th Marine Defense Battalion and other troops 1 fast minesweeper ex-Clemson-class destroyer:
TG 51.6 – Northern Garrison Group Capt. P.P. Blackburn 5 transports SS Cape Georgia, SS Cape San Martin, SS Robin Wentley, SS Young America Embarking elements of the 15th Marine Defense Battalion and other troops 2 destroyer escorts Both Evarts-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): ,
Task Force 52 – Southern Attack Force
Rear Admiral Turner in amphibious command ship
Amphibious assault groups Embarking Southern Landing Force (Kwajalein Island) 7th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett, USA
Destroyer Transport Group (Lt. Cmdr. D.K. O'Connor, USNR) 2 fast transports 1 ex-Caldwell-class destroyer: 1 ex-Clemson-class destroyer: Advance Transport Unit (Capt. J.B. McGovern) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock:
Tractor Unit 1 (Cmdr. R.C. Webb) 8 landing ship, tank: , LST-78, LST-224, LST-226, LST-242, LST-243, LST-246, LST-272 Embarking US Army 708th Amphibious Tank Corps (landing vehicle, tracked, also known as amtracs or amphtracs)
TG 52.5 – Southern Transport Group Captain Herbert B. Knowles
Transport Division 6 (Capt. T.B. Brittain) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock:
Transport Division 18 (Capt. Knowles) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock:
Tractor Unit 2 (Cmdr. A.M. Hurst) 8 landing ship, tank: , , , LST-127, , LST-240, LST-273,
TG 52.6 – Control Group Cmdr. J.W. Coleman, USNR 3 submarine chasers All SC-497-class: SC-539, SC-999, SC-1066 2 landing craft, control: LCC-36, LCC-38
TG 52.7 – Destroyer Screen Capt. E.M. Thompson 6 destroyers All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , 2 fast minesweepers Both ex-Clemson-class destroyers: ,
Combat groups TG 52.8 – Fire Support Group
Rear Admiral Robert C. Giffen in heavy cruiser
Unit 1 (Cmdr. J.J. Greytak) 2 destroyers Both Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): ,
Unit 2 (Rear Adm. Giffen) 2 old battleships 1 New Mexico-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): 1 Pennsylvania-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): 2 heavy cruisers Both New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): , 4 destroyers 3 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery):
Unit 3 (Rear Adm. Robert M. Griffin) 2 old battleships Both New Mexico-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): , 1 heavy cruiser New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): 3 destroyers All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , ,
Unit 4 (Cmdr. Henry Crommelin) 2 destroyers Both Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): ,
LCI(L) Unit (Lt. Cmdr. T. Blanchard, USNR) LCI(L) Division 13: 6 landing craft, infantry, large: LCI(L)-365, LCI(L)-438, LCI(L)-439, LCI(L)-440, LCI(L)-441, LCI(L)-442 LCI(L) Division 15 6 landing craft, infantry, large: LCI(L)-77, LCI(L)-78, LCI(L)-79, LCI(L)-80, LCI(L)-366, LCI(L)-437
TG 52.9 – Carrier Support Group
Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison 3 escort carriers (Capt. B.L. Braun) VC-7 (Lt. Cmdr. W.R. Bartlett) 16 Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. H.W. Taylor) VC-33 (Lt. Cmdr. J.J. Lynch) 9 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters 5 Grumman FM-1 Wildcat fighters 12 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. R.L. Bowman) VC-44 (Lt. Cmdr. G.M. Clifford) 3 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters 6 Grumman FM-1 Wildcat fighters 11 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers Screen 3 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery):
Auxiliaries TG 52.10 – Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group Cmdr. F.F. Sima, USNR Unit 1 3 minesweepers All Auk-class: , , 1 landing craft, control: LCC-39 Unit 2 4 auxiliary motor minesweepers All YMS-1-class: YMS-90, YMS-91, YMS-383, YMS-388 1 landing craft, control: LCC-37
TG 52.11 – Southern Salvage Unit Lt. Cmdr. L.H. Curtis, USNR 3 ocean tugs All Navajo-class: , ,
Task Force 53 – Northern Attack Force
Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship
Amphibious assault groups TG 53.4 – Northern Landing Force (Roi-Namur) 4th Marine Division under Maj. Gen. Harry Schmidt, USMC 1 SC-497-class submarine chaser: SC-997
TG 53.9 – Initial Transport Group
Capt. A.D. Blackledge Transport Division 26 (Capt. Blackledge) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship, dock: Raider Unit (Lt. Cmdr. E.T. Farley, USNR) 1 fast transport ex-Wickes-class destroyer: 2 destroyers 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): 1 Farragut-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): 1 fast minesweeper ex-Wickes-class destroyer: LST Unit 1 (Capt. A.J. Robertson) 8 landing ship, tank: , , LST-45, LST-121, LST-122, LST-221, LST-270, LST-271 2 submarine chasers Both SC-497-class: SC-670, SC-1012 1 Fletcher-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery):
TG 53.10 – Main Attack Detachment
Capt. Pat Buchanan Transport Division 24 4 attack transports: , , , 1 attack cargo ship: Transport Division 28 (Capt. H.C. Flanagan) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship, dock: 3 destroyers 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): 1 Sims-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): 1 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): 2 fast minesweepers Both ex-Wickes-class destroyers: , LST Unit 2 (Capt. J.S. Lillard) 6 landing ship, tank: , , LST-126, LST-128, , 2 SC-497-class submarine chasers: SC-1028, SC-1031 1 Farragut-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery):
Combat groups
TG 53.5 – Northern Support Group
Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in heavy cruiser
Unit 1 (Rear Adm. Howard F. Kingman) 2 old battleships 1 Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): 1 Tennessee-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): 1 heavy cruiser Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): 1 light cruiser Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): 2 destroyers Both Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): ,
Unit 2 (Rear Adm. Laurance T. DuBose) 1 old battleship Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): 1 heavy cruiser Portland-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): 2 light cruisers Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): , 2 destroyers Both Sims-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): ,
Unit 3 (Cmdr. J.C. Woelfel) 2 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): , 3 landing craft, infantry
Unit 4 (Cmdr. C.C. Shute) 2 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): ,
Unit 5 (Capt. E.R. McLean) 1 Porter-class destroyer (8 × 5-in. main battery): 6 landing craft, infantry
TG 53.6 – Carrier Group
Rear Admiral Van H. Ragsdale
3 escort carriers (Capt. E.P. Moore) Air Group 37 (Lt. Cmdr. F.L. Bates) VF-37: 12 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters VC-37: 9 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, 10 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. W.D. Johnson) Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR) VF-60: 12 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters VC-60: 9 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, 9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. D. Ketcham) Air Group 35 (Lt. Cmdr. S. Mandarich) VF-35: 12 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters VC-35: 9 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, 9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers Screen (Cmdr. I.H. Nunn) 3 destroyers All Farragut-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): , ,
Auxiliaries
TG 53.3 – Minesweeper Group Cmdr. W.R. Loud 3 minesweepers All Auk-class: , , 1 fast minesweeper ex-Wickes-class destroyer: 3 motor minesweepers YMS-262, YMS-263, YMS-283, YMS-320
TG 53.12 – Northern Salvage Group Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Foss 3 ocean tugs 2 Navajo-class: , 1 Abnaki-class:
Task Force 58 – Fast Carrier Force
Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher
TG 58.1 – Carrier Task Group 1
Rear Admiral John W. Reeves Jr.
2 fleet carriers (Capt. M.B. Gardner) Air Group 10 (Lt. Cmdr. W.R. Kane) VF-10: 32 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters VB-10: 30 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers VT-10: 16 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. J.J. Clark) Air Group 5 (Lt. Cmdr. E.E. Stebbins)