Military campaign in the Central Pacific. After securing the Marshall Islands in early 1944, American military planners decided that the next step would be to bypass the Japanese-held Caroline Islands (including the stronghold of Truk) in order to seize the Mariana Islands. Located equidistant from the Marshalls and the Japanese . . .

Bitter contest between the Japanese and the Americans that marked a turning point in the Pacific war. The struggle on Guadalcanal was protracted, and the period from August 1942 to February 1943 saw some of the most bitter fighting of the war. In all, there were some 50 actions involving . . .

Aboard the USS Montpelier, James Fahey would see action at Guadalcanal, Saipan and the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.

Source: James Fahey and Family

James Fahey grew up in Waltham, Massachusetts, the youngest of four orphaned children. Two of his brothers, John and Joe, had been in the Navy at Pearl Harbor and had survived. James signed on the following year and became a seaman first class aboard the USS Montpelier. He hoped to . . .

The USS Montpelier in the South Pacific, January 15, 1944. Aboard the Montpelier, James Fahey would see action in such battles as Guadalcanal, Saipan, the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf.

Source: National Archives (80-G-213953)

Excerpts from "Pacific War Diary," 1942-1945 by James J. Fahey Copyright(c) 1963 and renewed 1991 by James J. Fahey. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

In his diary, James Fahey noted how his mates celebrated the Fourth of July.

General MacArthur arrives at Leyte Island, Philippines, October 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-349595)

Coast Guardsmen crowd in for mail call aboard a troop transport in the Pacific. 1945.

Source: National Archives (WC-0929)

Important battle in the Pacific Theater. Saipan, part of the Mariana Islands chain that includes Guam and Tinian, had become Japanese territory in 1920 as a consequence of World War I and was considered a part of Japan itself. Following the successful U.S. invasions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, . . .

An SBD Dive Bomber from the USS Lexington participates in the invasion of Saipan, June 15, 1944.

Source: National Archives (080-G-236936)

Marines move across the beach at Saipan during mop-up operations. Two have been struck by Japanese sniper fire.

Source: National Archives (26-G-2649)

Marines on Guadalcanal examine a sniper's nest. August 30, 1942.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-76X-2)