Espiritu Santo in WW2 History | World War II Database

28 May 1942

New Hebrides

A force of about 500 US Army troops moved from Efate to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides to build an airfield in support of the proposed Solomon Islands landings. ww2dbase [Espiritu Santo | CPC]

3 Aug 1942

New Hebrides

While approaching the anchorage at Espiritu Santo, destroyer USS Tucker struck a mine amidships and nearly broke in two. Attempts to tow her shallow water before she could sink were unsuccessful and the ship sank the following day. 3 were killed and 3 were missing. ww2dbase [Tucker | Espiritu Santo | DS]

16 Sep 1942

New Hebrides

USS Juneau arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides and disembarked survivors of USS Wasp. ww2dbase [Juneau | Espiritu Santo | CPC]

Photo(s) dated 16 Sep 1942

Destroyer USS Laffey (foreground) and cruiser USS Juneau in Luganville anchorage, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 16 Sep 1942. Both ships arrived with survivors of the sunken USS Wasp (Wasp-class). Photo 2 of 4.

17 Sep 1942

New Hebrides

USS Juneau was assigned to Task Force 17 and departed from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides for Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Juneau | Espiritu Santo | CPC]

26 Oct 1942

Photo(s) dated 26 Oct 1942

Troops abandoning ship after the converted luxury liner SS President Coolidge struck two mines while entering the harbor at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 26 Oct 1942. Only 2 men were lost out of over 5,000.

20 Jan 1943

Photo(s) dated 20 Jan 1943

Chester Nimitz and William Halsey aboard USS Curtiss at

16 Jul 1943

Photo(s) dated 16 Jul 1943

Cruiser USS St. Louis coming alongside repair ship USS Vestal at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides for initial repair of torpedo damage to her bow received in the Battle of Kolombangara, 16 Jul 1943

Buckled deck of the cruiser USS St. Louis after being hit by a torpedo in the Battle of Kolombangara, 13 Jul 1943, although this photo was taken 16 Jul 1943 at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.

Damaged bow of the cruiser USS St. Louis after being hit by a torpedo in the Battle of Kolombangara, 13 Jul 1943, although this photo was taken 16 Jul 1943 at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. Photo 1 of 2.

17 Jul 1943

Photo(s) dated 17 Jul 1943

Survivors of USS Helena being transferred from cruiser USS Honolulu to shore stations on Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 17 Jul 1943.

20 Jul 1943

Photo(s) dated 20 Jul 1943

Torpedo damage to the cruiser USS St. Louis sustained during the Battle of Kolombangara on 13 Jul 1943 during the Solomon Island Campaign. The photo was taken at Espiritu Santo on 20 Jul 1943.

27 Jul 1943

New Hebrides

USS S-38 arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, ending her seventh war patrol. ww2dbase [S-38 | Espiritu Santo | CPC]

7 Aug 1943

Photo(s) dated 7 Aug 1943

USS Honolulu departing Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides with a new false bow 7 Aug 1943 bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Honolulu was damaged by a torpedo in the Battle of Kolombangara, 13 Jul 1943.

13 Mar 1944

New Hebrides

USS Yorktown (Essex-class) reached Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides and remained there for 10 days before getting underway for another series of raids on the Japanese middle defense line. ww2dbase [Yorktown (Essex-class) | Espiritu Santo | DS]

18 Jun 1944

New Hebrides

USS Nashville arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Nashville | Espiritu Santo | CPC]

3 Jul 1944

New Hebrides

USS Nashville undocked from floating drydock ABSD-1 at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [ABSD-1 | Nashville | Espiritu Santo | CPC]

27 Jul 1944

New Hebrides

USS S-38 departed Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [S-38 | Espiritu Santo | CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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