The USS Lexington (CV-2) raid on Wake Island in January 1942 required an oiler escort, the USS Neosho, which was sunk by Japanese submarine I-72, leading US Navy leadership to recognize that Oilers required defensive escort because they are high-value logistics vessels vulnerable to attack.
causalpending
Speaker
Sal KaganoEvidence Quote
“the USS Lexington CV2 is sent on a mission to raid Wake Island...she's going to refuel in route...the oiler in this case is a ship called the USS Nez...nees ran a foul of the Japanese submarine i72 and was sunk and this convince the Americans that in future operations they had to defend their Oilers”
Source
Sole US Navy Oiler in the Middle East - USNS Big Horn - Damaged | September 23, 2024— What's Going on With Shipping?Created: 8/10/2026, 10:51:52 PM
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