Operation Flintlock naval order of battle

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; its capture was the responsibility of the 2nd Battalion (reinf.) of the US Army's 106th Infantry Regiment plus a reconnaissance company of Marines. Because the Japanese had abandoned it over a year earlier, the atoll was declared secure at 0950 hours on D-Day.
• 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. Roi was declared secure at 1802 hours on D+1, Namur at 1418 hours on D+2.

* Kwajalein Island is located at the south corner of the atoll; its capture was assigned to the US Army's 7th Infantry Division. The island was declared secure at 1618 hours on D+4.

• Eniwetok Atoll, being the furthest to the northwest, lay astride the air supply route for the Japanese, making it another objective for US planners. 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.

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.

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 .

The ships and troops of Operations Flintlock were under direct operational command of Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner aboard amphibious command ship .

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.

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 enlisted

Kwajalein Island

: 7th Infantry Division (Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett, USA)

: 21,768 officers and enlisted

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 destoyers

::: 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)

::: VF-5: 36 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VB-5: 36 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, 1 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter

::: VT-5: 18 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

1 light carrier

: (Capt. A.M. Pride)

:: Air Group 24 (Lt. Cmdr. E.M. Link)

::: VF-24: 24 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-24:   8 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

Battleship Division 8 (Rear Adm. Glenn B. Davis in Indiana)

: 3 fast battleships

:: 1 North Carolina-class (9 × 16-in. main battery):

:: 2 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): ,

: 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser

:: 1 Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery):

Screen (Capt. Sherman R. Clark)

: 9 destroyers

:: All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , , ,

TG 58.2 – Carrier Task Group 2

Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery in fleet carrier Essex

2 fleet carriers

: (Capt. R.A. Ofstie)

:: Air Group 9 (Lt. Cmdr. P.H. Torrey)

::: VF-9: 35 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VB-9: 34 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, 1 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter

::: VT-9: 19 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. T.L. Sprague)

:: Air Group 6 (Lt. Cmdr. D.B. Ingerslew)

::: VF-6: 37 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VB-6: 36 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers

::: VT-6: 19 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

1 light carrier

: (Capt. M.F. Schoeffel)

:: Air Group 31 (Lt. Cmdr. R.A. Winston)

::: VF-31: 24 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-31:   9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

Battleship Division 9 (Rear Adm. E.W. Hanson in South Dakota)

: 3 fast battleships

:: 2 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): ,

:: 1 North Carolina-class (9 × 16-in. main battery):

Screen (Rear Adm. L. J. Wiltse in San Diego)

: 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser

:: Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery):

: 9 destroyers

:: 7 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , ,

:: 2 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): ,

TG 58.3 – Carrier Task Group 3

Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman in fleet carrier Bunker Hill

1 fleet carrier

: (Capt. J.J. Ballentine)

:: Air Group 17 (Cmdr. R.H. Dale)

::: VF-18: 37 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VB-17: 32 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, 1 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter

::: VT-17: 20 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

2 light carriers

: (Capt. L.T. Hundt)

:: Air Group 30 (Lt. Cmdr. J.G. Sliney, USNR)

::: VF-30: 25 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-30:   9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. R.P. McConnell)

:: Air Group 25 (Lt. R.H. Price)

::: VF-25: 24 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-25:   9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

Battleship Division 7 (Rear Adm. O.M. Hustvedt in Iowa)

: 2 fast battleships

:: Both Iowa-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): ,

: 1 heavy cruiser

:: Wichita-class (9 × 8-in. main battery):

Screen (Capt. C.F. Espe in Izard)

: 9 destroyers

:: 8 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , ,

:: 1 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery):

TG 58.4 – Carrier Task Group 4

Rear Admiral Samuel P. Ginder in fleet carrier Saratoga

1 fleet carrier

: (Capt. J.H. Cassady)

:: Air Group 3 (Cmdr. J.C. Clifton)

::: VF-12: 36 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VB-12: 24 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers

::: VT-12: 18 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

2 light carriers

: (Capt. G.R. Henderson)

:: Air Group 23 (Lt. Cmdr. H.L. Miller)

::: VF-23: 24 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-23:   9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. W.M. Dillon]])

:: Air Group 32 (Cmdr. E.G. Konrad)

::: VF-32: 22 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-32:   9 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers

: Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Adm. Leo H. Thebaud in Boston)

:: 2 heavy cruisers

::: 1 Baltimore-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): ,

:: 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser

::: Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery):

: Screen (Capt. J.M. Higgins in Maury)

:: 8 destroyers

::: 4 Mahan-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , ,

::: 4 Gridley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): , , ,

TG 50.15 – Neutralization Unit

Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small

3 heavy cruisers

: 2 Pensacola-class (10 × 8-in. main battery): ,

: 1 Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery):

4 destroyers

: All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , ,

2 fast minelayers

: 1 ex-Wickes-class destroyer:

: 1 ex-Clemson-class destroyer:

See also

Orders of battle involving United States Marine forces in the Pacific Theatre of World War II:

• Battle of Guadalcanal order of battle
• Battle of Saipan order of battle
• Guam (1944) order of battle
• Battle of Leyte opposing forces
• Battle of Peleliu opposing forces
• Battle of Iwo Jima order of battle
• Okinawa ground order of battle
• Naval Base Tarawa

Notes

References

Bibliography