Fighter Two - Guadalcanal by Jim Laurier

P-38's of the 339th Fighter Squadron land on 'Fighter Two' airstrip on Guadalcanal. In the foreground is the group leader John Mitchell in aircraft number 110. From this airstrip, the 339th flew one of the longest missions over water in World War Two when they successfully navigated to and intercepted a flight of Japanese planes enroute to Bougainville. Their mission known as "Operation Vengeance" was to shoot down one Japanese aircraft that was carrying Admiral Isoruko Yamamoto, the man who orchestrated the attack on Pearl Harbor. Through careful planning, skillful flying, and exceptional navigation, they intercepted the Japanese fighters and bombers at exactly the right place and time and shot down several aircraft, including Admiral Yamamoto's plane, a Mitsubishi G4M1 "Betty". It was later discovered that the Admiral was shot through the chest by a single fifty caliber round, killing him instantly. Just months before, Yamamoto had predicted his own death. The loss was a severe blow to the morale of Japan's military forces.