Navy Department Communique No. 77

MAY 7, 1942

The Navy Department today issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 3 p. m., May 7, 1942:

Southwest Pacific.

1. Very excellent news has been received. A naval engagement between U. S. and Japanese forces on May 4th resulted in the following damage to the enemy:
   1. One light cruiser, two destroyers, four gunboats, and one supply vessel were sunk.
   2. One 9,000-ton seaplane tender, one light cruiser, one cargo vessel, and one transport were badly damaged.
   3. Six planes were destroyed.
2. This highly successful action took place in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands and was accomplished with the loss of but three planes.

Far East.

3. U. S. submarines on patrol in the Far East have sunk the following enemy vessels: One medium-sized cargo ship, one medium-sized tanker, and one small cargo ship.
4. The above actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
5. There is nothing to report from other areas.