Navy Department Communique No. 88

JUNE 12, 1942

1. The battle of Midway now makes it possible to release information in regard to the Battle of the Coral Sea. Holding up this information gave to our Navy security which was a cornerstone in building for the Midway victory.
2. In early March the Japanese were observed to be concentrating transports and combatant ships in the ports of Salamaua and Lae on the Island of New Guinea, apparently in preparation for an assault on Port Moresby on the south coast of the same island. The occupation of Port Moresby would have afforded the enemy a strategically located advance base from which promptly to make further attacks on northern Australia.
3. For some time the bases at Salamaua and Lae had been subjected to air attacks by U. S. and Australian shore-based aircraft from Australia. On March 10th a number of aircraft from a Pacific Fleet Task Force, under the command of Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, joined these shore-based planes in their successful attack on shipping and shore installations at the enemy bases. As announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 57 of March 18th, this attack resulted in the following damage to the enemy: the sinking of or damage to more than 20 Japanese ships and heavy damage to shore installations. The resulting disruption of Japanese plans delayed for 2 months any attempt of the enemy to advance by sea to the southward. The attacking force was described in the communiqué as American and Australian island-based forces, since the participation of our carriers in that action had still not been discovered by the enemy.
4. During April our Army reconnaissance planes reported that the enemy was once again concentrating transports, and the supporting elements, including aircraft from carriers and shore bases, preparatory to an attempt to advance into the Solomon and Louisiade Islands. In early May these advances were actually begun. Bases for land planes in both of these groups of islands were seized by the Japanese and the entire northern portion of the Coral Sea was subjected to daily reconnaissance by enemy shore-based aircraft.
5. On May 4th a task force of the Pacific Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher found a part of this Japanese invasion fleet at anchor in and near the harbor of Tulagi, the capital of Florida Island in the Solomon group. In spite of the excellent Japanese air reconnaissance facilities, Admiral Fletcher’s attack caught the Japanese forces completely by surprise and all but annihilated them. A few ships managed to get under way, but most of these were severely crippled and some were later beached to prevent their sinking. The results of this engagement as announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 77 of May 7th were as follows: the sinking of or damage to 12 Japanese vessels and the destruction of 6 aircraft. Our entire loss amounted to but 3 aircraft. On the following day a large four-engined flying boat was intercepted by our forces and shot down.
6. On May 7th Admiral Fletcher’s aircraft struck the main body the Japanese force in the Louisiade Archipelago off Misima. The new Japanese aircraft carrier, Ryukaku, and a heavy cruiser were sunk. Fifteen bomb hits and 10 torpedo hits were reported scored on Ryukaku which was turning into the wind, to launch her aircraft thus blasted. She sank in a few minutes with most of her planes on board. The enemy counterattack which followed was fought off successfully. During this day’s fighting more than 25 enemy aircraft shot down as compared to our loss of 6. Shore-based Army air from Australia assisted in reconnaissance both before and during 1 attacks and added their fire-power to that of the attacking naval planes.
7. During the afternoon of May 7th Japanese aircraft located and bombed the U. S. tanker Neosho and its accompanying destroyer the U. S. S. Sims in the Coral Sea. The Sims was sunk during the attack and the Neosho sank several days later as a result of the damage received during the bombing. A large part of the personnel from the Neosho and Sims were rescued and have reached port. The next of kin of casualties are being notified.
8. On May 8th the same task force again carried the attack to the enemy and succeeded in inflicting serious damage on a second Japanese carrier, the Shokaku, which was left ablaze as a result of bomb and torpedo hits.
9. During this same engagement the enemy launched a counterattack with aircraft while our planes were still attacking. The principal target was the U. S. aircraft carrier Lexington, flagship of Rear Admiral A. W. Fitch. In spite of skillful handling, all available fighter protection and antiaircraft defense, the Lexington was hit by two torpedoes and at least two bombs and was further damaged by several near misses. These attacks were the last action in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The crew of the Lexington succeeded in putting out the fires and recovering her aircraft. Several hours after the battle, while steaming at 20 knots, terrific internal explosion rocked the Lexington causing serious fires to break out in many parts of the ship. It was first thought that the explosion was the result of a “sleeper” bomb. Investigation revealed, however, that the probable cause was the ignition of gasoline vapors which resulted from leaks in ruptured gasoline lines in closed compartments below decks.
10. The crew fought heroically for more than 5 hours to save the ship but were at great disadvantage because the explosion had damaged much of the fire-fighting equipment. Destroyers were sent alongside to assist with their pumps, fire hose and chemical fire-fighting equipment. The wounded were transferred from the burning carrier to the destroyers alongside. Finally, with all machinery disabled, the ship stopped, and flames enveloping nearly her entire length, it became apparent that any further attempt to save her was futile and the captain ordered the crew to “abandon ship.” Men slid down lines from the carrier’s decks to boats from other ships while some crawled aboard life rafts and rubber boats.
11. Ninety-two percent of the entire ship’s company were rescued and have reached port safely. The only casualties were the result of the battle or the explosion and the resulting fire. The last man to leave his ship was her commanding officer, Capt. F. C. Sherman. As he slid to safety down a line from the deck into the water the torpedo warhead locker of the Lexington exploded. After all men in the water had been rescued, the Lexington sank with a final detonation which shook nearby ships.
12. The attacks on Salamaua and Lae and the Battle of the Coral Sea resulted in the disruption of two Japanese attempts to advance to the southeastward of New Guinea and cost them a total of more than 15 ships sunk, including: One aircraft carrier. Three heavy cruisers. One light cruiser. Two destroyers. Several transports and small vessels. and severe damage to and the probable sinking of 11 additional cruiser and 1 destroyer-and severe damage to more than 20 ships including 1 carrier, 3 cruisers, 2 aircraft tenders, 3 destroyers and the loss of more than 100 aircraft.
13. The Lexington, Neosho, and Sims were the only U. S. vessels lost as a result of the action in the Coral Sea and only minor damage was suffered by other vessels. The next of kin of all casualties in these ships are being notified as information is received.