Tarawa | Midway Atoll | Kwajalein Atoll | Rongelap Atoll | Johnston Atoll | Utirik Atoll | atoll | Ailinginae Atoll | Palmyra Atoll | Enewetak Atoll | Bikini Atoll | Haa Alif Atoll | Addu Atoll | Shaviyani Atoll | Rongerik Atoll | Rocas Atoll | Mili Atoll | Malé Atoll | Ailinglaplap Atoll | Thaa Atoll | Kaafu Atoll | Johnston Atoll Airport | Jaluit Atoll | Gnaviyani Atoll | Aur Atoll | Ari Atoll |
With those advantages in mind, on 20 July 1943 the joint Chiefs of Staff decided to capture the Tarawa and Abemama atolls in the Gilberts, plus nearby Nauru Island.
After World War II, the capital was established on Tarawa, first in Betio island then near Bairiki.
The Marianas and Okinawa, pre-war Japanese possessions, had large Japanese civilian populations at the time of their occupation, whereas other islands, like Tarawa, Guam or Iwo Jima, were either uninhabited by civilians, or only by indigenous civilians.
Heavily bombed during the war, it was a favorite target for bombers from Makin Airfield, Tarawa and Abemama.
A notable pilot in the squadron was fighter ace Arthur Van Haren, Jr. From November 1943 to January 1944, VF-2 saw action during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Makin Atoll and Tarawa Atoll.
:For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as a member of an Assault Engineer Platoon of the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, tactically attached to the Second Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against the Japanese-held Atoll of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands on November 20, 1943.