SBD-5 white 2 of the VB-5 makes a belly landing on the flight deck of the carrier Yorktown (CV-10) after strike against Truk Atoll on February 22, 1944
Operation Hailstone (February 1944) was a decisive U.S. Navy carrier airstrike on the Japanese naval base at Truk Lagoon, aimed at neutralizing its air and naval power in support of the upcoming invasion of Eniwetok. To prevent interference from Japanese airfields at Truk, the U.S. launched a major offensive on February 17, using a large fleet that included three fast carrier task groups from Task Force 58, under Vice-Admiral Raymond Spruance.
This force included five fleet carriers (Enterprise, Yorktown, Essex, Intrepid, Bunker Hill), four light carriers, six battleships, five heavy cruisers, and other vessels. The U.S. achieved total surprise by avoiding detection, beginning with a fighter sweep of 72 F6F Hellcats aimed at eliminating Japanese air power. The initial attack destroyed numerous Japanese aircraft both in the air and on the ground, crippling their ability to mount a defense.
Following the fighter sweep, U.S. bombers targeted ships in Truk Lagoon. Throughout the day, a total of 30 airstrikes sank over 20 Japanese vessels, including cargo ships, destroyers, and cruisers, using bombs and torpedoes. U.S. battleships and cruisers stationed around Truk intercepted and sank additional ships attempting to flee.
Japanese efforts to retaliate were ineffective, and by the night of February 17-18, U.S. aircraft even conducted successful night bombings. The operation continued into February 18, but with little remaining opposition. The U.S. inflicted heavy losses, sinking 10 warships, 30 transport ships, and destroying 365 aircraft at minimal cost, while rendering Truk defenseless against future attacks.
The operation was a crucial step in the Pacific campaign, eliminating Truk as a threat to U.S. operations in the region and contributing to the strategic isolation of Japanese forces in the Central Pacific.