06/01 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), lands men and supplies on southwest coast of Mindanao, P. I. 06/02 Fri. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Frigate AWAJI, by submarine GUITARRO (SS-363), off Formosa, 22 d. 34' N., 121 d. 51' E. 06/03 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer REID (DD-369), by dive bomber, western New Guinea area, 01 d. 13' S., 136 d. 13' E. 06/04 Sun. German submarine U-505 is captured by hunter-killer group 150 miles off the coast of Rio de Oro, Africa. Hunter-killer group (Capt. D. V. Gallery) consists of escort carrier GUADALCANAL (CVE-60, Capt. D. V. Gallery), and escort division (Comdr. F. S. Hall), composed of destroyer escorts PILLSBURY (DE-133, Lt. G. W. Casselman), POPE (DE-134, Lt. Comdr. E. H. Headland), FLAHERTY (De-135, Lt. Comdr. M. Johnston), CHATELAIN (DE-149, Lt. Comdr. D. S. Knox), and JENKS (DE-665, Lt. Comdr. J. F. Way). Japanese aircraft attack Allied cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. V. A. C. Crutchley, RN) off Biak, New Guinea; two United States light cruisers area damaged. United States naval vessels damaged: Light cruiser NASHVILLE (CL-43), by horizontal bomber, western New Guinea area, 01 d. 05' S., 136 d. 05' E. Light cruiser PHOENIX (CL-46), by horizontal bomber, western New Guinea area, 01 d. 00' S., 136 d. 00' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Transport No. 128, by Army aircraft, Philippine Sea, 04 d. 09' N., 129 d. 45' E. 06/05 Mon. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands supplies at Tucuran, Mindanao, P. I. United States naval vessel sunk: Minesweeper OSPREY (AM-56), by mine, off Normandy, France, 50 d. 12 N., 01 d. 20' W. United States naval vessel damaged: LST 981, by mine, off Normandy, France, 50 d. 45' N., 00 d.43' E. 06/06 Tue. Allied Expeditionary Force under the supreme command of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, invades Western Europe. Landings are made on beaches of Normandy, France, following pre-invasion minesweeping and bombardment by Allied warships, and under the cover of Allied aircraft and naval gunfire. The invasion fleet of thousands of naval vessels, merchant ships, and landing craft under the command of Adm. Sir Bertram H. Ramsay, RN, is divided into a Western (American) Task Force and an Eastern (British) Task Force. The Western Task Force, commanded by Rear Adm. A. G. Kirk, USN, and composed to two assault forces, "O" under the command of Rear Adm. J. L Hall, USN, and "U" under the command of Read Adm. D. P. Moon, USN, lands the First United States Army commanded by Lt. Gen. O. N. Bradley, USA, on "Omaha" and "Utah" beaches. Naval gunfire support groups commanded by Rear Adm. M. L. Deyo, USN, and Rear Adm. C. F. Bryant, USN effectively prevent the Germans from moving up reinforcements and cover the troops advancing inland. After the beachheads are established, the primary naval responsibility is the landing of men and supplies. United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy invasion: Destroyer CORRY (DD-463) by mine, 49 d. 31' N., 01 d. 12' W. Submarine chaser PC-1261, by mine, 49 d. 30' N., 01 d. 10' W. United States naval vessel damaged, Normandy invasion: LST 375, by collision, 42 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' W. [United States naval vessels listed as sunk or damaged in the Normandy invasion do not include amphibious types smaller than the LST.] Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer MINAZUKI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257), Celebes Sea, 04 d. 05' N., 119 d. 30' E. Coastal defense vessel No. 15, by submarine RATON (SS-270), South China Sea, 08 d. 58' N., 109 d. 30' E. 06/07 Wed. Construction of artificial harbors and sheltered anchorages from sunken blockships and concrete caissons begins off Normandy beachheads. United States Naval Advanced Base, Hollandia, New Guinea, is established. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine GUDGEON (SS-211), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. Minesweeper TIDE (AM-125), by mine, Normandy area, 49 d. 37' N., 01 d. 05' W. Transport SUSAN B. ANTHONTY (AP-72), by mine, Normandy area, 49 d. 33' N., 00 d. 49' W. United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area: Destroyer HARDING (DD-625), by grounding, 49 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' E. Minesweeper PHEASANT (AM-61), by collision, 49 d. 37' N., 01 d. 05' W. PT-505, by mine, 49 d. 30' N., 01 d., 09' W. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer HAYANAMI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257), Celebes Sea, 04 d. 43' N., 120 03' E. 06/08 Thu. Beginning shortly before midnight and continuing on 9 June, an Allied naval force (Rear Adm. V. A. C. Crutchley, RN), including 2 United States light cruisers and destroyers, intercepts and turns back 5 Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce Biak Island, in the Schouten Islands off New Guinea. Submarine HARDER (SS-257) evacuates coast-watchers from northeast coast of North Borneo. United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy area: Destroyer escort RICH (DE-695), by mine, 49 d. 31' N., 01 d. 10' W. LST-499, by mine, 49 d. 30' N., 01 d. 10' W. United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area: Destroyer GLENNON (DD-620), by mine, 50 d. 32' N., 01 d. 12' W. Destroyer MEREDITH (DD-726), by mine, 49 d. 33' N., 01 d. 06' W. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer HARUSAME, by Army aircraft, Biak area, New Guinea. Destroyer KAZAGUMO, by submarine HAKE (SS-256), Mindanao, P. I., 06 d. 03' N., 125 d. 57' E. 06/09 Fri. Destroyers bombard Japanese repair facilities in the Fangelawa Bay area, New Ireland. United States naval vessel sunk, Normandy area: Destroyer MEREDITH (DD-726), by horizontal bomber and as a result of mine damage suffered 8 June, 49 d. 26' N., 01 d. 04' W. LST 314, by torpedo from surface craft, 49 d. 43' N., 00 d. 52' W. LST 376, damaged by torpedo from surface craft, 49 d. 50' N., 00 d. 50' W.; sunk by United States forces. United States naval vessel damaged: Motor minesweeper YMS-305, by coastal defense gun, Normandy area, 49 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' W. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer MATSUKAZE, by submarine SWORDFISH (SS- 193), off Bonin Islands, 26 D. 59' N., 143 d. 13' E. Destroyer TANIKAZE, by submarine HARDER (SS-257), Celebes Sea, 05 d. 42' N., 120 d. 41' E. 06/10 Sat. United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy area: Destroyer GLENNON (DD0620), by coastal defense gun, 50 d. 32' N., 01 d. 12' W. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-42, by destroyer escort BANGUST (DE-739), Marshall Islands area, 10 d. 05' N., 168 d. 22' E. 06/11 Sun. United States battleships off Normandy give gunfire support to Army forces 10 miles inland at Carentan, France. United States Naval Base, Biak Island, Schouten Islands, is established. Battleship MISSOURI (BB-63) is commissioned at New York, N. Y. United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy area: LST 496, by mine, 49 d. 30' N., 00 d. 50' W. Ocean tug PARTRIDGE (ATO-138), by torpedo, 49 d. 30' N., 00 d. 30' W. United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area: Destroyer NELSON (DD-623), by torpedo, 49 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' W. LST 538, by torpedo, 49 d. 48' N., 00 d. 31' W. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-111, by destroyer TAYLOR (DD-468), north of Bismarck Archipelago, 00 d. 26' N., 149 d. 16' E. German submarine sunk: U-490, by aircraft (VC-95) from escort carrier CROATAN (CVE-25), and destroyer escorts FROST (DE- 144), HUSE (DE-145), and INCH (DE-146), North Atlantic area, 42 d. 47' N., 40 d. 08' w. 06/12 Mon. Aircraft from 15 carriers of fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher) bomb enemy air facilities and coast defenses on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Rota, and Pagan Islands in the Marianas Islands. Two Japanese convoys area attacked and damaged. Carrier aircraft continue strikes in the Marianas Islands on 13 and 14 June. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer KALK (DD-611), by horizontal bomber, western New Guinea area, 01 d. 19' S., 136 d. 19' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Torpedo boat OTORI, by carrier-based aircraft, Marianas Islands area. 06/13 Tue. Battleship and destroyer task group (Vice Adm. W. A. Lee) bombards Japanese installations on Saipan and Tinian, Marianas Islands. Cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. E. G. Small) bombards enemy positions on Matsuwa Island in the Kurile Islands. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), shells oil tanks at Bula, Ceram Island, Netherlands East Indies. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-36, by destroyer MELVIN (DD-680), Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 21' N., 147 d. 00' E. 06/14 Wed. Two task groups of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf and Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) bombard Japanese installation on Saipan and Tinian, Marianas Islands. United States naval vessels damaged: Battleship CALIFORNIA (BB-44), by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 12' N., 145 d. 42' E. Destroyer BRAINE (DD-630), by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area, 15 d.02' N., 145 d. 50' E. LST 280, by submarine torpedo, Normandy area, 49 d. 55' N., 00 d. 30' W. 06/15 Thu. Naval task force (Vice Adm. R. K. Turner) lands Marines (Lt. Gen. H. M. Smith) on Saipan, Marianas Islands, under cover of intensive naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. Carrier-based aircraft from two task groups (Rear Adm. J. J. Clark and Rear Adm. W. K. Harrill) bomb Japanese installations on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands; attack on Iwo Jima is repeated 16 June. United States naval vessel damaged: Battleship TENNESSEE (BB-43), by coastal defense gun, Saipan, Marianas Islands, 15 d. 02' N., 143 d.50' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area: LST 2, LST 266, LST 307, LST 331, LST 360 by coastal defense guns, and LST 133, by mine. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Minelayer No. 101, by surface craft, Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 15' N., 145 d. 45' E. German submarine sunk: U-860, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier SOLOMONS (CVE-67), South Atlantic area, 25 d. 27' S., 05 d. 30' W. 06/16 Fri. Battleship, cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) bombards Japanese installations on Guam, Marianas Islands. Japanese submarines sunk: RO-44, by destroyer escort BURDEN R. HASTINGS (DE- 19), Marshall Islands area, 11 d. 13' N., 164 d. 15' E. RO-114, by destroyer MELVIN (DD-680) and WADLEIGH (DD-689), Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 02' N., 144 d. 10' E. 06/17 Sat. Allied task force (Rear Adm. T. H. Troubridge, RN), including United States naval vessels, lands French troops on island of Elba off Italy. United States naval vessels damaged: Escort carrier FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), by horizontal bomber, off Marianas Islands, 15 d. 00' N., 145 d. 00' E. Motor minesweeper YMS-377, by mine, Normandy area, 49 d. 29' N., 01 d. 08' W. LST 84, accidentally by United States naval gunfire, Marianas Islands, 15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-117, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-109) from Eniwetok, 11 d. 05' N., 150 d. 31' E. 06/18 Sun. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-63 and PT-107, fire, off New Ireland, 01 d. 45' s., 150 d. 01' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Marianas Islands area: Destroyer PHELPS (DD-360), by coastal defense gun, 14 d. 58' N., 146 d. 21' E. Oilers NESHANIC (AO-71), and SARANAC (AO-74), by horizontal bomber, 14 d. 45' N., 146 d. 10' E. 06/19 Mon. Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June) opens as Japanese carrier-based aircraft attack Fifth Fleet (Adm. R. A. Spruance) covering Saipan operation. Two United States battleships, two carriers, and a heavy cruiser are damaged. Japanese lose over 300 aircraft, and two aircraft carriers are sunk by United States submarines. [Do we refer to this as "the Marianas Turkey-Shoot? LWJ] Artificial harbor area Normandy, France, is severely damaged by storm. (See 7 June 1994.) United States naval vessel sunk: LST 523, by mine, Normandy area, 49 d. 30' N., 01 d. 10' W. United States naval vessels damaged: Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), by dive bomber, Battle of the Philippine Sea, 14 d. 10' N., 143 d. 15' E. Battleship INDIANA (BB-58), by suicide plane, Battle of the Philippine Sea, 14 d. 04' N., 143 d. 23' E. Carrier BUNKER HILL (CV-17), by dive bomber, Battle of the Philippine Sea, 14 d. 46' N., 143 d. 02' E. Carrier WASP (CV-18), by dive bomber, Battle of the Philippine Sea, 14 d. 19' N., 143 d. 48' E. Heavy cruiser MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), by horizontal bomber, Battle of the Philippine Sea, 14 d. 11' N., 143 d. 09' E. Destroyer HUDSON (DD-475), accidentally by United States naval gunfire, Battle of the Philippine Sea, 14 d. 11' N., 143 d. 09' E. Motor minesweeper YMS-323, by coastal defense gun, Saipan, Marianas Islands, 15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E. Ocean tug ATR-15, by grounding, Normandy area, 49 d. 22' N., 00 d. 26' W. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Carrier SHOKAKU, by submarine CAVALLA (SS-244), Battle of the Philippine Sea, 11 d. 50' N., 137 d. 57' E. Carrier TAIHO, by submarine ALBACORE (SS-218), Battle of the Philippine Sea, 12 d. 22' N., 137 d. 04' E. I-184, by aircraft (vt-60) from escort carrier SUWANNEE (CVE-27), Central Pacific area, 13 d. 01' N., 149 d. 53' E. 06/20 Tue. Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June) continues. Aircraft from Fifth Fleet carrier task force (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher) strike Japanese fleet. One enemy carrier is sunk. In the 2-day Battle of the Philippine Sea the engaged Japanese Fleet loses 395 (92%) of its carrier planes, and 31 (72%) of its float planes. Only 35 carrier planes and 12 float planes remain operational. Besides the losses afloat, an estimated 50 land-based Japanese aircraft from Guam are destroyed. The United States Fleet loss is 130 planes and a total of 76 pilots and crewmen for the 2 days. [After the Battle of the Philippine Sea the Japanese high command thoroughly understood that the war was lost. Adm. R. A. Spruance and Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher won a great victory.] Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) and NAUTILUS (SS-168) land supplies and evacuate certain personnel from Negros and Panay, P. I. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer PHELPS (DD-360), by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Carrier HIYO, by carrier-based aircraft, Battle of the Philippine Sea. 06/21 Wed. United States Coast Guard vessels sunk: Cutters 83415 and 83471, by storm, off Normandy. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer DAVIS (DD-395), by mine, Normandy area, 49 d. 23' N., 00 d. 46' W. 06/22 Thu. United States naval vessels damaged: Battleship MARYLAND (BB-46), by aircraft torpedo, Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 13' N., 145 d. 39' E. LST 119, by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E. Japanese submarine sunk: I-185, by destroyer NEWCOMB (DD-586) and high-speed minesweeper CHANDLER (DMS-9), Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 50' N., 145 d. 08' E. 06/23 Fri. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. J. J. Clark) bomb enemy air facilities on Pagan Island in the Marianas Islands. 06/24 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task groups (Rear Adm. J. J. Clark and Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) strike Japanese airfields and facilities on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Pagan Island, Marianas Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-193, damaged by grounding, western New Guinea area, 00 d. 55' S., 134 d. 52' E.; sunk by United States forces. Japanese submarine sunk: I-52, by aircraft (VC-69) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), Atlantic area, 15 d. 16' N., 39 d. 55' W. [Any idea of the mission here? LWJ] 06/25 Sun. United States battleship, cruiser, and destroyer force (Read Adm. M. L. Deyo) bombards German shore batteries and coastal defenses at Cherbourg, France. United States naval vessels damaged, Cherbourg operation: Battleship TEXAS (BB-35) and destroyers BARTON (DD- 722), LAFFEY (DD-724), and OBRIEN (DD-275), by coastal defense gun. 06/26 Mon. Cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. E. G. Small) bombard enemy positions at Kurabu Zaki, Paramushiro, Kurile Islands. United States naval vessel damaged: Cargo ship MERCURY (AK-42), by aircraft torpedo, Marianas Islands area, 15 d. 10; N., 145 d. 58' E. 06/28 Wed. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Coast defense vessel No. 24, by submarine ARCHERFISH (SS-311), western Pacific area, 24 d. 44' N., 140 d. 20' E. 06/29 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: Coast minesweeper VALAOR (AMc-108), by collision, off Newport, R. I., 41 d. 28' N., 70 d. 57' W. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Minelayer TSUGARU, by submarine DARTER (SS-227), Netherlands East Indies area, 02 d. 19' N., 127 d. 57 E. 06/30 Fri. Naval vessels on hand (all types) - 46,032. Personnel: Navy - 2,981,365; Marine Corps - 472,582; Coast Guard - 169, 258. Total personnel - 3,623,205.