World Battlefronts: BATTLE OF THE PACIFIC: Researched at Tarawa

From Washington Admiral Ernest J. King signaled: "To all hands concerned with the Marshall Islands operation: Well and smartly done. Carry on."

Said Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, commander of the expeditionary force: enemy resistance was much less than had been expected. For the Japs it was the darkest week of the war. "We must all keep ourselves cool," said Diet Member Ichiro Hirose.

The U.S. attack on the Marshall Islands had caused Navy tacticians many a sleepless night since the decision was made, last summer, to open the Central Pacific. After the...