Today in World War II History—August 15, 1942
Tanker Ohio from Pedestal convoy and two supporting destroyers in Grand Harbour, Malta, 15 August 1942 (Imperial War Museum: GM 1480)
Patch of the US 82nd Airborne Division
80 Years Ago—Aug. 15, 1942: Allied “Pedestal” convoy arrives in Malta—only 5 of 14 cargo ships have survived persistent attack by air and sea (including damaged British tanker Ohio lashed to destroyers HMS Penn and HMS Ledbury), but enough supplies arrive to maintain the island.
US 82nd Airborne Division is organized from 82nd Infantry Division, becoming America’s first airborne division, under Maj. Gen. Matthew Ridgway at Camp Claiborne, LA.
In Hawaii, new paper money printed with “Hawaii” and brown wartime seal becomes only legal tender, to prevent US currency from falling into Japanese hands in case of invasion.
