Size: 8 x 10 inches

Letter of Authenticity included.

*This original target labeled aerial reconnaissance photograph was used to aid Lt. Moore as well as other USS Enterprise pilots on Saipan approach targets prior to take off and used as a reference in flight. This photo was also used in conjunction with U.S. pilot aerial approach target maps to give pilots the most ‘real’ and ‘first hand’ view of what approaching U.S. carrier pilots would see as they neared the pinpointed locations of Japanese defenses, airfields, and fortifications on the heavily fortified island of Saipan. This is one of the original aerial recon photos used to make the ‘other’ photo maps that were distributed to the pilots. This aerial reconnaissance was taken near the U.S. D-Day amphibious landing beachheads designated GREEN 1, GREEN 2, GREEN 3, BLUE 1, and BLUE 2. This approach photo was used for detailed recon looks of the airfield, Japanese gun emplacements and defenses when attacking this area of Saipan for aerial strikes on the Japanese infantry, ships, and airplanes. Using these photos taken previously taken by Allied aerial reconnaissance squadrons flying over Saipan, this photograph was compiled together for fighter pilots with the addition of hand labeled Japanese defenses and their locations.

This extremely rare ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ World War II aerial reconnaissance photograph is marked No. ENT 1414.4 and dated 16 May 1944. The aerial reconnaissance photograph also features the rare unit marking of the USS Enterprise. Taken by a specially outfitted airplane these beachhead (D-Day preparation) photos were then developed after a special flight reconnaissance mission over Saipan. Following the pilots return and landing on an occupied Allied island airfield or carrier, this photograph was developed by reconnaissance where it was then examined, marked and sent to PHASE 1 (Tactical Interpretation) and PHASE 2 (Strategic Interpretation) of the photo intelligence unit. Reconnaissance units would take the aerial photographs, print them, and identify them. PHASE 1 (Tactical Interpretation) then examines the aerial reconnaissance photos for immediate military operations and PHASE 2 (Strategic Interpretation) examines the reconnaissance photos for future military operations.

This “TARGET” marked aerial reconnaissance photo was carried and used by Lt. Moore of the USS Enterprise Air Group. He along with other USS Enterprise carrier pilots, officers, and high ranking commanders were given these photo intelligence marked aerial recon photographs in order to identify targets for their support of the D-Day Saipan landings. 

This target aerial recon photograph was used in pre mission briefings to familiarize USS Enterprise pilots on their objectives and target assignments before taking off the deck of the carrier. This aerial photograph also allowed Lt.Moore and other pilots the ability to get a “first hand look” of what their targets looked like on their approach making it easier to spot and call out targets designations from the air and allow USS Enterprise Air Group pilots the ability to accurately and efficiently locate and destroy designated targets.

Lt. Moore served as an American pilot on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) Air Group. This rare air target photograph was carried by Lt. Moore as U.S. aircraft patrols and search and destroy missions were conducted by the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and its Air Group during the invasion of Saipan against Japanese forces. It was on this island where Enterprise pilots gave direct support to the landings on Saipan on 15 June, and covered the troops ashore for the next two days. Aware of a major Japanese attempt to break up the invasion of Saipan, Admiral Spruance, now Commander 5th Fleet, positioned TF 58 to meet the threat.  Following the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Enterprise and her Task Group continued to provide air support for the invasion of Saipan through 5 July. 

Enterprise and Task Force 58 spent nearly a month in the Mariana Islands, preparing for and supporting the Saipan landings on 15 June 1944, striking targets on Guam and Rota, and engaging in the fifth major carrier battle of the war: the Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19-20 June 1944. Enterprise played a significant role in the battle: her Combat Information Center (CIC) directed much of the action during the "Turkey Shoot" on the 19th, while an Air Group Ten search was the first to locate the Japanese fleet on the afternoon of the 20th. Also notable in this report are the growing number of night air missions, led by the Big E's VF(N)-101 and VT-10 squadrons.

Saipan/Guam/Battle of the Philippine Sea - USS ENTERPRISE ACTION REPORT - 6-29 June 1944

On 6 June 1944, ENTERPRISE, as a unit of Task Group 58.3 (Rear Admiral J.W. Reeves, Jr., USN, Commander Carrier Division FOUR, U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, Flagship) departed Majuro Atoll, and proceeded in accordance with reference (b) toward Saipan, Mariana Islands. At 1300 on 11 June 1944 at a point 229 miles East of Saipan, this vessel launched a fighter sweep to start the combat actions connected with the occupation of Saipan. Description of subsequent actions naturally divides itself into three phases corresponding to the developments.

• First Phase - Bombardment and Invasion of Saipan.
  From 11 June to 17 June 1944, ENTERPRISE conducted air operations in the area as ordered. Repeated strikes were launched to eliminate enemy air opposition, to destroy AA and coast defense guns and defenses, and to provide air support for the amphibious landing and advance of our ground troops in the seizure of Saipan.
  At dusk on 15 June, Task Group 58.3 was vigorously attacked by a formation of Jap torpedo planes. The group of seven VB(M) made a determined attack on our port bow, meeting a tremendous volume of fire from the Task Group, six planes going down in flames.
  ENTERPRISE shot down two and assisted on a third. A bomb from an undetected plane exploded in the water about 750 yards ahead on the port bow just before the torpedo planes reached that point. One torpedo plane dropped a torpedo about 1000 yards on the port bow, the torpedo running parallel to the ship at a distance of about 50 yards. One man was killed and 10 suffered slight shrapnel wounds from cross fire coming from other ships.
  Strikes on Guam were conducted on 17 June in addition to refueling.

• Second Phase - Engagement with the Japanese Fleet.
  Action with the Japanese appearing imminent, the Task Group reformed and sought contact. On 17 and 18 June, ENTERPRISE launched 325 mile searches to the westward which were negative. At 0200 on 19 June, fifteen torpedo planes were launched on a special 300 mile night radar search and attack mission. No contact was made. Starting about 1030 Task Force 58 was attacked by the aircraft of the Japanese Fleet in successive waves. The flight deck was cleared. ENTERPRISE fighters joined the Combat Air Patrol in intercepting the Jap attacks, and the Bomber and Torpedo planes bombed Orote Airfield on Guam. The task force fighters shot down most of the attacking enemy planes, ENTERPRISE VF claiming 19. A few enemy planes were able to make attacks on this group of ships. These were shot down spectacularly by ships' gunfire, ENTERPRISE claiming destruction of one plane and assisting in two others. One of our VF planes was shot down over Guam.
  Early on 20 June, a 325 mile search was launched, with negative results. On the second search at 1547 ENTERPRISE planes made contact report on the Jap Fleet bearing 287° (T) distance 214 miles. At 1624 a strike of 12 VF, 5 VT, 11 VB was launched. Ten direct hits are claimed on two enemy carriers with several damaging near misses on these ships and a CVE. It is believed on HAYATAKA class carrier was probably sunk. A ZUIHO class carrier was severely damaged, a CVE damaged by near misses, and 12 enemy planes were shot down. It was very dark when the striking group returned with little fuel left. All but five ENTERPRISE planes landed safely aboard various carriers, and the personnel of the five planes were recovered from water landings by destroyers. One VF pilot shot down over the target was recovered by rescue seaplane.
  At 0230, 21 June ENTERPRISE launched two VT planes to regain contact with the Jap Fleet and trail it. These planes carried out their mission, reporting accurately the composition of the remaining Jap Forces, which was at a distance outside the range of the search and attack group of 12 VF, 8 VB, 8 VT launched at 0605. All carriers reshuffled to recover own planes. Rescue operations were singularly successful.

• Third Phase - Neutralization of Guam and Pagan Islands.
  From 21 June to 29 June, the Task Group carried out strikes as ordered on Guam and Pagan Islands to neutralize the airfields and destroy defense guns and military installations. Successful night interceptions were made in an attempt to cut off Jap planes flying into the Marianas from the Southwest, three enemy planes being thus destroyed on the night of 28 June and one on the night of 27 June 1944.

• The entire action resulted in the loss of sixteen aircraft of this vessel, eight lost in combat and eight operationally. Four pilots were killed or are missing and three air crewmen were killed or are missing.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) Return to duty:

Captain Matthias Gardner relieved Ginder on 7 November. Back at Pearl Harbor on 6 November, Enterprise left four days later to provide close air support to the 27th Infantry Division landing on Makin Atoll, during the Battle of Makin, from 19–21 November 1943. On the night of 26 November, Enterprise introduced carrier-based night fighters to the Pacific when a three-plane team from the ship broke up a large group of land-based bombers attacking TG 50.2. Two of the three planes returned to the ship, with LCDR Edward "Butch" O'Hare the only casualty. After a heavy strike by aircraft of TF 50 against Kwajalein on 4 December, Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor five days later. 

The carrier's next operation was with the Fast Carrier Task Force in softening up the Marshall Islands and supporting the landings on Kwajalein, from 29 January-3 February 1944. Then, Enterprise sailed, still with TF 58, to strike the Japanese naval base at Truk Lagoon in the Caroline Islands, on 17 February. Again Enterprise made aviation history, when she launched the first night radar bombing attack from a U.S. carrier. The twelve torpedo bombers in this strike achieved excellent results, accounting for nearly one-third of the 200,000 tons of shipping destroyed by aircraft.

Detached from TF 58 with escorts, Enterprise launched raids on Jaluit Atoll on 20 February, then steamed to Majuro and Espiritu Santo. Sailing on 15 March in TG 36.1, she provided air cover and close support for the landings on Emirau Island (19–25 March). The carrier rejoined TF 58 on 26 March, and for the next 12 days, joined in a series of strikes against the islands of Yap, Ulithi, Woleai, and Palau. After a week's rest and replenishment at Majuro, Enterprise sailed on 14 April to support landings in the Hollandia (currently known as Jayapura) area of New Guinea, and then hit Truk again from 29–30 April.

On 6 June 1944, she and her companions of TG 58.3 sortied from Majuro to join the rest of TF 58 in attacking the Marianas Islands. Striking Saipan, Rota, and Guam from 11–14 June, Enterprise pilots gave direct support to the landings on Saipan on 15 June, and covered the troops ashore for the next two days.

Aware of a major Japanese attempt to break up the invasion of Saipan, Admiral Spruance, now Commander 5th Fleet, positioned TF 58 to meet the threat.

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.