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Sneakypete, in fact, youre wrong again when you say that FDR abandoned Asia for about a year after Pearl Harbor. As a student of history and military man, you should know better. The Huon Gulf raid occured in early 1942. It was mounted by the Yorktown and the Lexington after the Japanese Imperial Army had landed at the Huon Gulf on the Papua Peninsula of eastern New Guinea. We struck a rather surprised japanese invasion force, sinking a gunboat, two transports, and a minesweeper. Also three japanese warships were damaged. This was the first coordinated US airstrike from two different carriers.

I have said it is important to strike and to strike now, with the current capabilities at Diego Garcia, and the Indian Ocean. I believe there are targets that we can hit while lifting the spirit and moral of the American people. You disagree. In April of 1942 America pulled off a spectacular raid. Sixteen B-25's flying from the carrier Hornet (in the Pacific I might add) bombed Tokyo. While the naysayers and nervous nellies belittled the raid because we really weren't prepared to attack, and the damage done was slight, it had an enormous psychological impact on the moral of the American people. It was the beginning of the end for the forces of hirohito, and the rising sun.

>>Sneakypete, in fact, youre wrong again when you say that FDR abandoned Asia for about a year after Pearl Harbor. As a student of history and military man, you should know better. The Huon Gulf raid occured in early 1942.<<

To be honest,this is the first I ever heard of this action. The USMC raided Makin Island,too. None the less,a couple of raids doesn't equate to defending the Pacific. King Franklin did abandon them for all practical purposes. Hell,he even called back the relief force headed to Midway Island to reinforce it before the Japanese invaded it.

>> In April of 1942 America pulled off a spectacular raid. Sixteen B-25's flying from the carrier Hornet (in the Pacific I might add) bombed Tokyo.<<

Well,first off,I am REAL glad the Hornet wasn't sailing in the Atlantic when they took off!(G) Secondly,ironically enough I mentioned the "Doolittle Raid" (30 Seconds Over Tokyo was both the book and the movie title) to someone on another thread. What is REALLY odd is that I am remembering it this instant as the "Doolittle Raid",but think it was lead by Billy Mitchell and stated this on the other thread.

>>While the naysayers and nervous nellies belittled the raid because we really weren't prepared to attack, and the damage done was slight, it had an enormous psychological impact on the moral of the American people.<<

That's true,but we aren't dealing with a fixed target or even a official gooberment at THIS time. We are dealing with a terrorist leader and group,and it's important that we make sure we are attacking the right target before we make a move. How impressed would the American people have been if Mitchell had bombed New Zealand?