"Island-hopping" refers to the Allied strategy against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater. The Allies would engage islands that were considered strategic in value and conquer them one by one, hopping closer and closer to the main Japanese islands. The island-hopping strategy in WWII would involve a two-pronged attack. Admiral Chester Nimitz would lead a force in the Northern Pacific region to the Bonin islands, an archipelago to the southeast of Japan. Gen. Douglas MacArthur would lead a force in the Southern Pacific and island-hop towards the Philippines, making good on his promise "I shall return" to the Filipinos.