This Day In Naval History: September 15
1942 - USS Wasp (CV 7) is torpedoed by a Japanese submarine while operating in the Southwestern Pacific in support of forces on Guadalcanal. USS O'Brien (DD 415) and USS North Carolina (BB 55) are also struck by torpedoes from the same submarine.
1943 - USS Saufley (DD 465) and a Catalina Patrol Bomber piloted by Lt. W. J. Geritz from Patrol Squadron Twenty Three (VP 23) sinks the Japanese submarine RO-101 100 miles southeast of San Cristobal, Solomons.
1944 - USS Pampanito (SS 383) and USS Sealion (SS 315) rescue 73 British and 54 Australian POWs who survive the loss of Japanese freighter, Rakuyo Maru, after she is sunk by Sealion on Sept. 12, about 300 miles west of Cape Bojeador, Luzon. There had been 1,300 men on board Rakuyo Maru when she is torpedoed.
1950 - During the Korean War, after preliminary naval gunfire and air bombardment on Sept. 13, the First and Fifth Marines go ashore for the Inchon Invasion, which includes US Army and Korean forces.
2012 - USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) is christened and launched at Mobile, Ala. The joint high-speed vessel provides rapid transport of military equipment and personnel in theater.
(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)