On 20 February 1942, near Rabaul, the first major clash took place between US Navy carrier aircraft and the air forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Americans came out on top, and one of their pilots, Edward “Butch” O’Hare, became the first US Navy ace. Table of Contents Before the Battle 20 February 1942 … Continue reading The Day Fighting Three Broke the 4th Kokutai