Which event was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service while Magruder Hill Tuttle was a senior officer in the United States Navy?
Magruder Tuttle Magruder Hill Tuttle (July 21, 1908 – November 6, 1998) was an American rear admiral. Born and raised in Lenoir, North Carolina, Tuttle attended Duke University before entering the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1932. While at the academy, Tuttle played center on the football team for two years and was team captain in 1931. For his accomplishments in football at the academy, the "New York Sun" named him as the first-team center on their all-time Navy football team, selected in 1932. Following graduation, Tuttle was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. He was a senior officer at the Pearl Harbor naval base when it was attacked on December 7, 1941. During World War II, he served as a pilot and commanded three different squadrons at various times throughout the war. Tuttle also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Other assignments included commander of Corry Field, commander of the USS "Philippine Sea", and deputy commander of the Pacific Missile Range. While stationed in Florida, Tuttle planned and founded the National Naval Aviation Museum. He died in Pensacola, Florida on November 6, 1998.
Operation Flintlock (World War II) Operation Flintlock was the campaign against the Japanese in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific theatre of World War II, from 31 January to 4 February 1944. The operation involved the invasions of Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Majuro atolls. Admiral Nimitz, Commander of the U. S. Pacific Fleet, chose two islands in Kwajalein Atoll, Roi-Namur Island and Kwajalein Island, as primary targets in the U. S. invasion of the Marshall Islands.  Kwajalein Atoll contained communication and weather observation units and two Japanese airstrips on Roi-Namur and Kwajalein Islands, a seaplane base situated at Ebeye Island, a submarine base at Roi-Namur Island, and other Japanese installations scattered on various islands throughout Kwajalein atoll.  Kwajalein atoll, particularly Roi-Namur and Kwajalein Islands, were subjected to heavy bombardment. This attack also sank a large number of Japanese ships in Kwajalein Lagoon. Bitter fighting between Japanese forces and the U. S. 4th Marine Division on Roi-Namur, and the U. S. 7th Infantry Division on Kwajalein, resulted in a U. S. victory on 4 February 1944. The attack of the Japanese in the Marshall Islands was the first US attack, and capture, of Japanese territory, since the land was held by Japan before the start of World War II. The capture of Kwajalein Atoll during Operation Flintlock provided American forces with a base of operations that assured the recapture of the Philippines and eventually the fall of Japan.