In basic training we had been told to watch out for Japanese spies.

The Japanese invaded Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands, on May 4.

Lexington did launch its air group when a Japanese carrier was reported.

We began intercepting Japanese radio transmissions, which indicated the two forces were very close to each other. We found out later that we were moving in opposite directions and passed each other by 32 miles.

We made air attacks on the Japanese anchorage, sinking and damaging several vessels. However, the Japanese were alerted to the fact that American carriers were nearby.

Our task force put to sea in early January 1942, to attack the Japanese in the Marshall and Gilbert islands, but the mission was called off on the eve of the attack.