Operation Flintlock naval order of battle Last updated August 04, 2025 Order of battle for World War II battle
Sites of US conquest are indicated in black; Japanese-held atolls indicated in red were bypassed.
Roi-Namur is in the upper right corner, Kwajalein Island in the bottom corner; islands are designated with US codenames with native names in parentheses.
Raymond A. Spruance as a full admiral
Richmond Kelly Turner as a full admiral
Lieut. Gen. Holland M. Smith, USMC
Harry Schmidt, USMC, as a lieut. general
Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett, USA
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; [ 1] its capture was the responsibility of the 2nd Battalion (reinf.) of the US Army's 106th Infantry Regiment plus a reconnaissance company of Marines. [ 2] Because the Japanese had abandoned it over a year earlier, the atoll was declared secure at 0950 hours on D-Day. [ 3] The Japanese command considered Kwajalein Atoll , unlike Majuro, to be vital to the defense of the Marshalls. [ a] 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 . [ 5] Roi was declared secure at 1802 hours on D+1, [ 6] Namur at 1418 hours on D+2. [ 7] Kwajalein Island is located at the south corner of the atoll; its capture was assigned to the US Army's 7th Infantry Division . [ 8] The island was declared secure at 1618 hours on D+4. [ 9] Eniwetok Atoll , being the furthest to the northwest, lay astride the air supply route for the Japanese, making it another objective for US planners. [ 10] 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. [ 11]
Forces afloat Richmond Kelly Turner Rear Adm. Turner's flagship Rocky Mount Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner in amphibious command ship Rocky Mount
TG 51.3 – Southern Defense Group Cmdr. W.J. Whiteside 4 landing ship, tank : LST-23 , LST-227 , LST-244 LST-484 Embarking elements of the 3rd and 4th Army Defense Battalions and other troops 1 destroyer escort Evarts-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): Duffy TG 51.4 – Southern Garrison Group Capt. H.O. Roesch 5 transports SS Cape Fear Cape Isabel Cape Stevens Island Mail 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): Burden R. Hastings , LeHardy TG 51.5 – Northern Defense Group Lt. Cmdr. R.V. Wheeler 4 landing ship, tank : LST-241 LST-268 LST-476 , LST-477 , LST-479 Embarking elements of the 15th Marine Defense Battalion and other troops 1 fast minesweeper ex-Clemson-class destroyer : Long TG 51.6 – Northern Garrison Group Capt. P.P. Blackburn 5 transports SS Cape Georgia Cape San Martin Robin Wentley Young America Embarking elements of the 15th Marine Defense Battalion and other troops 2 destroyer escorts Both Evarts-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): Harold C. Thomas , Wileman Landing ship tank Attack cargo ship Centaurus SC-497-class submarine chaser Rear Admiral Turner in amphibious command ship Rocky Mount
Amphibious assault groups Embarking Southern Landing Force (Kwajalein Island ) 7th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. Charles H. Corlett , USADestroyer Transport Group (Lt. Cmdr. D.K. O'Connor, USNR) 2 fast transports 1 ex-Caldwell-class destroyer : Manley 1 ex-Clemson-class destroyer : Overton Advance Transport Unit (Capt. J.B. McGovern) 4 attack transports : Zeilin , Ormsby , President Polk , Windsor 1 attack cargo ship : Virgo 1 landing ship dock : Ashland Tractor Unit 1 (Cmdr. R.C. Webb) 8 landing ship, tank : LST-34 , 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: Fayette , Harris , Harry Lee , Leedstown 1 attack cargo ship: Centaurus 1 landing ship dock: Lindenwald Transport Division 18 (Capt. Knowles) 4 attack transports: Feland , J. Franklin Bell , Monrovia , Pierce 1 attack cargo ship: Thuban 1 landing ship dock: Belle Grove Tractor Unit 2 (Cmdr. A.M. Hurst) 8 landing ship, tank: LST-29 , LST-31 , LST-41 , LST-127 LST-218 , LST-240 LST-273 LST-481 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): Franks , Haggard , Hailey , Hazelwood , John Rodgers , Schroeder 2 fast minesweepers Both ex-Clemson-class destroyers : Perry , Zane Combat groups TG 52.8 – Fire Support Group Robert C. Giffen Old battleship New Mexico Rear Admiral Robert C. Giffen in heavy cruiser Minneapolis Unit 1 (Cmdr. J.J. Greytak) 2 destroyers Both Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): McKee , Stevens Unit 2 (Rear Adm. Giffen) 2 old battleships 1 New Mexico-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Idaho 1 Pennsylvania-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Pennsylvania 2 heavy cruisers Both New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Minneapolis , New Orleans 4 destroyers 3 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Bailey , Frazier , Meade 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Hall Unit 3 (Rear Adm. Robert M. Griffin) 2 old battleships Both New Mexico-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): New Mexico , Mississippi 1 heavy cruiser New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): San Francisco 3 destroyers All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Colahan , Harrison , Murray Unit 4 (Cmdr. Henry Crommelin) 2 destoyers Both Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Ringgold , Sigsbee 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 Ralph E. Davison Two Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers Ocean tug Tawasa Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison 3 escort carriers Manila Bay (Capt. B.L. Braun) VC-7 (Lt. Cmdr. W.R. Bartlett) 16 Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Coral Sea (Capt. H.W. Taylor) VC-33 (Lt. Cmdr. J.J. Lynch) 9 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters 5 Grumman FM-1 Wildcat fighters12 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers Corregidor (Capt. R.L. Bowman) VC-44 (Lt. Cmdr. G.M. Clifford) 3 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters 6 Grumman FM-1 Wildcat fighters11 Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers Screen 3 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Bancroft , Caldwell , Coghlan 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Halligan Auxiliaries TG 52.10 – Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group Cmdr. F.F. Sima, USNR Unit 1 3 minesweepers All Auk-class : Pursuit , Requisite , Revenge 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 : Arapaho , Tekesta , Tawasa Richard L. Connolly Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Appalachian
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 Former destroyer Schley high-speed transport Capt. A.D. Blackledge Transport Division 26 (Capt. Blackledge) 4 attack transports : Callaway , Sumter , Warren , William P. Biddle 1 attack cargo ship : Almaack 1 landing ship, dock : Epping Forest Raider Unit (Lt. Cmdr. E.T. Farley, USNR) 1 fast transport ex-Wickes-class destroyer : Schley 2 destroyers 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Remey 1 Farragut-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): MacDonough 1 fast minesweeper ex-Wickes-class destroyer : Hogan LST Unit 1 (Capt. A.J. Robertson) 8 landing ship, tank : LST-38 , LST-43 , 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): La Vallette TG 53.10 – Main Attack Detachment Landing ship dock Gunston Hall Capt. Pat Buchanan Transport Division 24 4 attack transports : Doyen , DuPage , Elmore , Wayne 1 attack cargo ship : Aquarius Transport Division 28 (Capt. H.C. Flanagan) 4 attack transports: Bolivar , Calvert , La Salle , Sheridan 1 attack cargo ship: Alcyone 1 landing ship, dock : Gunston Hall 3 destroyers 1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Fletcher 1 Sims-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Hughes 1 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Ellet 2 fast minesweepers Both ex-Wickes-class destroyers : Hamilton , Stansbury LST Unit 2 (Capt. J.S. Lillard) 6 landing ship, tank : LST-42 , LST-119 , LST-126 LST-128 LST-223 , LST-274 2 SC-497-class submarine chasers : SC-1028 SC-1031 1 Farragut-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery): Aylwin Combat groups TG 53.5 – Northern Support Group Jesse B. Oldendorf Old battleship Colorado Landing craft, infantry Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in heavy cruiser Louisville Unit 1 (Rear Adm. Howard F. Kingman) 2 old battleships 1 Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): Colorado 1 Tennessee-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Tennessee 1 heavy cruiser Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Louisville 1 light cruiser Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Mobile 2 destroyers Both Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Anderson , Morris Unit 2 (Rear Adm. Laurance T. DuBose ) 1 old battleship Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): Maryland 1 heavy cruiser Portland-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Indianapolis 2 light cruisers Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Biloxi , Santa Fe 2 destroyers Both Sims-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Mustin , Russell Unit 3 (Cmdr. J.C. Woelfel) 2 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): Haraden , Porterfield 3 landing craft, infantry Unit 4 (Cmdr. C.C. Shute) 2 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): Hopewell , Johnston Unit 5 (Capt. E.R. McLean) 1 Porter-class destroyer (8 × 5-in. main battery): Phelps 6 landing craft, infantry TG 53.6 – Carrier Group Escort carrier Suwanee Puget Sound , January 1945 Rear Admiral Van H. Ragsdale 3 escort carriers Sangamon (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 Suwanee (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 Chenango (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): Dale , Farragut , Monaghan Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher
Light carrier Belleau Wood Rear Admiral John W. Reeves Jr.
2 fleet carriers Enterprise (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 Yorktown (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 Belleau Wood (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): Washington 2 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Indiana , Massachusetts 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser 1 Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery): [ b] Oakland Screen (Capt. Sherman R. Clark) 9 destroyers All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Caperton , Clarence K. Bronson , Cogswell , Cotten , Dortch , Gatling , Healy , Ingersoll , Knapp Frederick C. Sherman Fast battleship Iowa Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman in fleet carrier Bunker Hill
1 fleet carrier Bunker Hill (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 Monterey (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 Cowpens (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): Iowa , New Jersey 1 heavy cruiser Wichita-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Wichita Screen (Capt. C.F. Espe in Izard ) 9 destroyers 8 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Bell , Bradford , Brown , Burns , Charrette , Conner , Cowell , Izard 1 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Wilson Notes ↑ "That atoll was the hub of the enemy's outer defensive perimeter and the distributing center for his Marshall Islands spider's web." [ 4] 1 2 3 These cruisers were intended as destroyer leaders when designed. After the first two to be used in this role, Atlanta Juneau Naval Battle of Guadalcanal , this mission was abandoned and the anti-aircraft mission adopted. [ 18] References ↑ Morison, pp. 228-229 ↑ Rottman, p. 91 ↑ Morison, p. 227 ↑ Morison, p. 206 ↑ Rottman, p. 26 ↑ Rottman, p. 50 ↑ Rottman, p. 53 ↑ Rottman, p. 26 ↑ Rottman, p. 66 ↑ Rottman, p. 9 ↑ Morison, p. 206 ↑ Morison, p. 343 ↑ Morison, p. 343 ↑ Morison, p. 343 ↑ Morison, p. 223 ↑ Rottman, p. 27 ↑ Rottman, p. 28 ↑ Stille, Mark, US Navy Light Cruisers, 1941–45 , Osprey Publishing, Ltd., 2016, p. 7 Bibliography Morison, Samuel Eliot (1951). Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls: June 1942 April 1944 . History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. VII. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 978-0-316-58307-7 Rottman, Gordon L. (2004). The Marshall Islands 1944: Operation Flintlock, the capture of Kwajalein and Eniwetok . Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84176-851-9 This page is based on this
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