Naval History and Heritage Command

Lt. Theodore Ellyson makes the first successful launch of an airplane (A-3) by catapult at the Washington Navy Yard.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Harold R. Stark, submits the memorandum to Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox with four war plans if the United States enters World War II. Stark recommends the fourth war plan, Plan Dog, calling for a strong offensive in the Atlantic and defense in the Pacific.

The Naval battle of Guadalcanal begins with Japanese air attacks on U.S. ships bringing reinforcements to the embattled island. Over the next four days, Japan loses the battleships Hiei and Kirishima, heavy cruiser Kinugasa, three destroyers and many valuable transports. Two U.S. light cruisers, Atlanta and Juneau, and seven destroyers are sunk. Japan's losses weaken their ability to strengthen their garrison on Guadalcanal, enabling the U.S. to shift from the defensive to the offensive in this campaign.

Lt. Cmdr. Bruce McCandless displays superb initiative by assuming command of the USS San Francisco (CA 38) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal after all other personnel on the navigating and signal bridges were rendered unconscious, killed, or wounded. McCandless boldy continues to engage the enemy, leading the San Francisco to victory. He is later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt embarks on USS Iowa (BB 61) to attend the Allied conferences at Tehran, Iran, and Cairo.

PB4Y-1 (VB-103) sinks German submarine U-508 in the Bay of Biscay. Prior to this, U-508 sank 14 Allied vessels, including the American merchant SS Nathaniel Hawthorne Nov. 7, 1942.