Size: 4 x 5 inches

Letter of Authenticity included.

Dated 2-17-1944 this original ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ World War II USS Enterprise aerial reconnaissance photograph is marked “Truk” and was taken by a U.S.S. Enterprise air group pilot and is also labeled with “CV6”. Taken with a K-20 aerial camera, the K-20 camera was originally designed as an all-purpose aerial camera and was used widely throughout World War II for vertical mapping, photography, and all types of aerial reconnaissance intelligence and bomb damage assessment.

Following the pilots combat mission in the area, and their safe landing aboard the deck of the USS Enterprise this photograph was then developed aboard the carrier’s photographic development crew and was marked, used, and examined by USS Enterprise pilots (such as Lt. Moore) and other USS Enterprise high ranking commanders and officers.  

USS Enterprise and Truk:

G4-3. On 16 February, planes from ENTERPRISE participated in strikes against shipping and oil storage installations at Truk. Although the major units of the Japanese Fleet had already left that base, six enemy combatant ships and many enemy auxiliaries were sunk or damaged. The strikes continued through the seventeenth. Then the U.S. carriers and their escorts retired rapidly to the northeast, pausing to launch two strikes against shore installations on Jaluit, 20 February.

Action Report and Logs from USS Enterprise Truk Atoll Raids - 16-17 February 1944:

GENERAL TACTICAL SITUATION:

1. Three carrier task groups under the tactical command of Commander Task Force 58 are operating in the TRUK area with the two-fold purpose of striking aircraft, shipping, and air installations at TRUK and covering landing operations at ENIWETOK. All naval forces in the area are under the Command of Commander Task Force 50 (Commander TRUK Striking Force).

2. We are Task Group 58.1 consisting of Enterprise, Yorktown, Belleau Wood, Santa Fe, Biloxi, Mobile, Oakland, and 9 destroyers.

3. Submarine sanctuaries are established (a) within 50 miles of the center of PONAPE, (b) within 50 miles of the center of Northeast Pass TRUK between radii 000 and 120 degrees, and (c) To the North or West of a line drawn from latitude 14° N., 162° E. to 11° N., 152° E. to 7° N., 152° E., and to the West or South of a line from this last point to GREENWICH (KAPINGAMARANGI) Island. It is expected that a number of friendly submarines will be present in the TRUK sanctuary for aircraft rescue purposes.

4. Particular attention must be paid to recognition. The following friendly planes may be operating in our area: B-24 Attack Planes, PBY Search Planes, Curiser SOC and Battleship OS2U rescue planes, and all types U.S. Carrier aircraft. It is expected that land based aircraft will strike TRUK on the nights of DOG MINUS ONE, DOG, and DOG PLUS ONE days.

5. In case of opposition by major enemy Task Forces this group will operate with Task Group 58.2 in disengaged area as a carrier Striking Group.

1. MISSION:

   1. Destroy enemy aircraft, shipping and aircraft installations at TRUK by combined strafing and bombing attacks.

   2. Destroy enemy aircraft and enemy shipping in sea areas adjacent to TRUK.

      Additional Missions:

      1. Provide anti-submarine patrols as necessary.

      2. Provide Combat Air Patrols as necessary.

      3. Provide night fighters as necessary.

      4. Conduct search flights as ordered.

      5. Take photographs of MOEN, DUBLON, and ETEN islands and make mapping runs of Atoll fringe from North Pass to 120 degrees True.

Comprehensive WWII combat history of USS Enterprise (CV-6):

The Yorktown class aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CV-6) was commissioned at Newport News, Virginia, on May 12, 1938. Relocating to the Pacific, she was at sea during the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Three days after, she became the first U.S. Navy warship to sink a Japanese warship, submarine I-70, and later that month participated in the Wake Island expedition. In April, Enterprise covered the Dootlittle Raid on Japan and participated in the Battle of Midway that June, where her planes helped sink three Japanese aircraft carriers and a cruiser. During the Guadalcanal Campaign, she covered the landings and participated in the battles of Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz Islands. Despite being damaged in both battles, she launched aircraft to assist the ships involved in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. In late 1943 and early 1944, Enterprise took part in the Gilberts and Marshall invasions and air attacks on the Japanese in the Central and Southern Pacific. In the summer of 1944, she participated in the Marianas operation and the Battle of the Philippine Sea, followed with the largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October.In February 1945, Enterprise took part in the Iwo Jima invasion, then raids on the Japanese home islands and the Okinawa campaign in April. Due to damage received by two kamikaze attacks in April and May, she returned to the United States with the distinction of being the most decorated U.S. Navy warship during the war. Following Japan's surrender, she helped transport U.S. servicemen back to the United States. Decommissioned in February 1947, Enterprise was re-designated (CVA-6) in October 1952 and then to (CVS-6) in August 1953. Despite efforts to turn her into a museum ship, she was sold for scrapping in July 1958.