Size: 12 x 12 inches

This extremely rare and incredible World War II U.S. Navy radar and ship maneuvering board used during Operation Stalemate comes from a WWII Navy sailor and radioman who served in some of the most infamous operations in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese aboard the WWII destroyer USS Ballard (DD-267). It was with the USS Ballard as a radioman he and other Naval sailors and crew used this maneuvering board to plot ships during the invasion of Palau Island. The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II by the United States military, was fought between the U.S. and Japan during the Mariana and Palau Campaign of World War II, from September to November 1944, on the island of Peleliu. On September 4, the Marines shipped off from their station on Pavuvu, just north of Guadalcanal, a 2,100-mile (3,400 km) trip across the Pacific to Peleliu. A U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Team went in first to clear the beaches of obstacles, while Navy warships began their pre-invasion bombardment of Peleliu on September 12. The battleships Pennsylvania, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee and Idaho, heavy cruisers Indianapolis, Louisville, Minneapolis and Portland, and light cruisers Cleveland, Denver and Honolulu, led by the command ship Mount McKinley, subjected the tiny island, only 6 sq mi (16 km2) in size, to a massive three-day bombardment, pausing only to permit air strikes from the three aircraft carriers, five light aircraft carriers, and eleven escort carriers with the attack force. A total of 519 rounds of 16 in (410 mm) shells, 1,845 rounds of 14 in (360 mm) shells and 1,793 500 lb (230 kg) bombs were dropped on the islands during this period.
What makes this maneuvering board so unique is the hand plotted and written names of the U.S. Naval ships during the invasion. The ships are also annotated with an unknown color coordination system in blue and red colors, as well as the RESTRICTED call sign of the ships. These call signs were used by radiomen as well as pilots over the Allied radio frequencies. This maneuvering board shows extensive wear and use  as it played an extremely pivotal role in the battle with the maneuvering of naval ships around the island.

USS Ballard (DD-267) Wartime Service:

Ballard steamed to Pearl Harbor arriving on January 28, 1942. Sent to the South Pacific, tending patrol planes, laying aircraft buoys, escorting convoys, and patrolling throughout the Eastern Pacific including: Phoenix, Midway, Fiji, Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, Florida Island, and New Caledonia.

During the Guadalcanal campaign, USS Ballard along with USS Mackinac were supporting PBY Catalinas from VP-23 and VP-11 operating from Graciosa Bay on Ndeni Island. On September 12, 1942, both ships were shelled by a Japanese submarine. Ballard slipped its anchor and proceeded at full speed to find the submarine but it submerged and escaped and neither side inflicted any damage.

Returning to San Francisco November 7, 1943, she completed repairs by December 30, 1943 Until May 1944, acted as a plane guard during carrier qualification off San Diego.

Between 15 June and 3 July 1944 she participated in the Saipan operation, laying aircraft buoys, and tending the first patrol squadron to operate from the area. Next, she performed patrol duties during the seizure of the Palau during 12 September – 11 December 1944).

In late December 1944 she began another stateside yard period, at Seattle, Washington. Upon completion of repairs, she was once again assigned to plane guard duties, operating out of San Diego until 1 October 1945.