Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra

Shelling of Johnston and Palmyra Atoll
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
Date December 12 to 24, 1941 Location Johnston and Palmyra Atoll, Pacific Ocean Result Inconclusive; Minor damage to U.S. installations, both islands heavily strengthened
Belligerents
United States	Japan
Commanders and leaders
Francis B. Loomis Jr.	Unknown
Units involved
1st Defense Battalion Various U.S. Navy forces Civilian contractors	Unknown
Strength
Marine 5-inch coastal guns	Multiple submarines Possible surface vessels
Casualties and losses
1 Marine wounded Damaged military installations	Possible damage to Japanese ships

Johnston and Palmyra are two atolls in the Pacific Ocean. Johnston was claimed for the US in 1858 and Palmyra in 1859 under the Guano Islands Act. Following the 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese navy forces attacked Allied possessions across the Pacific, including Johnston and Palmyra.