Today in World War II History—May 21, 1942

US F-5 photo reconnaissance aircraft and C-47 cargo planes at Amchitka in Aleutian Islands, 7 May 1942 (public domain via WW2 Database)
80 Years Ago—May 21, 1942: Japanese land in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines and occupy Leyte and Samar.
North Pacific Force established under Rear Adm. Robert Theobald for all US Army, US Navy, and Canadian forces in the Alaska area.
Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams hits his 100th home run; he will end the season with the Triple Crown, with a .356 batting average, 36 home runs, and 137 RBIs—the following day he enlists in the Naval Reserve, where he’ll serve as aviator.