Naval Institute Press

291 Wood Road

Annapolis, MD 21402

© 1984 by the United States Naval Institute

Reprinted with updates and corrections 1990

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

First Naval Institute Press paperback edition, 2005

ISBN 13: 978-1-61251-166-5

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Lundstrom, John B.

The first team.

Bibliography: p.

Includes index.

1. World War, 1939–1945—Aerial operations, American.

2. World War, 1939–1945—Naval operations, American.

3. World War, 1939–1945—Campaigns—Pacific Ocean.

I. Title.

D790.L8  1984        940.54′4973               84-9822

12 11 10 09                              9 8 7 6 5 4