In the summer of 1942, alarming intelligence reports revealed the construction of a Japanese airfield near Lunga Point on Guadalcanal, igniting urgent calls for offensive action in the South Pacific. The completion of this airfield threatened to pave the way for a renewed enemy advance, jeopardizing the vital lifeline of American support to New Zealand and Australia. On July 23, 1942, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington recognized the critical need to secure communication lines in the South Pacific and halt the Japanese advance. Thus, Operation Watchtower—the daring seizure of Guadalcanal—was born. - Summary by Henry I Shaw