Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A. and historical research

*Marked “SECRET” and dated April 24th 1945, this Battle of Okinawa combat report for Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner details the operations of American aircraft squadrons providing crucial support to U.S. forces as they engaged in relentless combat against Japanese forces near Yontan Airfield. It offers an intricate narrative of the interaction between air squadrons and friendly naval ships stationed off the Okinawan coast, highlighting the immense challenges faced in maintaining air superiority and protecting critical assets during the battle.

This exceptionally rare, museum-grade WWII artifact is an original combat intelligence report from Operation Iceberg (the Invasion of Okinawa). It originates from the bring-back collection of Captain B.O. Wells (USN), who served as the intelligence officer for Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner (USN), commander of the Fifth Amphibious Force and Amphibious Forces in the Pacific Theater.

During the Battle of Okinawa, Admiral Turner commanded Task Force 51, which included:

• Northern Attack Forceled by Rear Admiral Lawrence Fairfax Reifsnider

• Southern Attack Forceunder Rear Admiral Hill

• Expeditionary Troopscommanded by Lt. General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.

• Western Island Attack Groupled by Rear Admiral Ingolf N. Kiland

• Amphibious Support Forceunder Rear Admiral William H.P. Blandy

• Gunfire and Covering Forcecommanded by Rear Admiral Morton Deyo

By the end of the battle, Turner’s Amphibious Forces comprised an extraordinary 657,000 officers and men. On May 24, 1945, Turner was promoted to full admiral. If the war had continued, he was slated to command the amphibious component of the planned invasion of Japan, which would have included 2,700 ships and craft for the Kyushu operation—more than double the 1,213 under his command at Okinawa, 435 for the Marianas operation, and 51 at Guadalcanal.

This one-of-a-kind U.S. Naval combat intelligence report played a critical role during the Battle of Okinawa, utilized by Captain B.O. Wells for intelligence operations and the strategic decisions of Admiral Turner. A true testament to history, this artifact embodies the pivotal intelligence efforts that shaped the Pacific Theater’s most significant operations.

Dated April 24, 1945, this exceptional Battle of Okinawa Combat Intelligence Report was meticulously prepared for Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, a key figure in U.S. naval operations during World War II. The report provides a detailed and vivid account of the fierce aerial combat and strategic maneuvers conducted during one of the Pacific Theater's most intense and consequential battles.

This document delves into the operations of American aircraft providing crucial support to U.S. forces as they engaged in relentless combat against Japanese forces near Yontan Airfield. It offers an intricate narrative of the interaction between air squadrons and friendly naval ships stationed off the Okinawan coast, highlighting the immense challenges faced in maintaining air superiority and protecting critical assets during the battle.