Today in World War II History—March 26, 1943

Brig. Gen. Fred Borum presents the Air Medal to Lt. Elsie Ott, the first woman to receive the Air Medal (US Air Force photo: 090903-F-1234S-014)
80 Years Ago—Mar. 26, 1943: Battle of Komandorski Islands begins: US Navy Task Group 16.6 intercepts Japanese ships trying to resupply Kiska in the Aleutians.
US War Food Administration is established to oversee food production and distribution.
Flight nurse Lt. Elsie Ott becomes first woman to earn the Air Medal, for 10,000-mile flight from India to DC. (Read more: “Medical Air Evacuation in World War II”)