No. 75 MAY 4, 1942
The Navy Department today issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 3 p. m.:
Far East.
1. As a result of enemy bombing attacks during the past few days, the U. S. S. Mindanao, a river gunboat, has been sunk in the vicinity of Corregidor.
2. There were no casualties to personnel.
3. There is nothing to report from other areas.
No. 76 MAY 6, 1942
The Navy Department today issued the following communiqué, based on reports received up to 3 p. m.:
Far East.
1. Several messages from the Navy personnel at Corregidor were received in the Navy Department this morning. Just before the fall of this small island fortress which these men have helped to defend so gallantly, the commander of the naval forces at Corregidor, Capt. Kenneth M. Hoeffel, U. S. N., joined his officers and men in sending a last message of loyalty, devotion, and good cheer to their country, their families and their friends.
2. Captain Hoeffel reported that the mine sweeper Tanager, and the river gunboat Oahu had been sunk by enemy gunfire from Bataan and that the mine sweeper Pigeon had been sunk by bombers. The river gunboat, Luzon, and the mine sweeper, Quail, were severely damaged by gunfire and were sunk by U. S. forces when capture appeared imminent. All local small craft in the vicinity were demolished by our forces.
3. When Corregidor fell, there were approximately 175 officers and 2,100 men of the Navy, and 70 officers and 1,500 men of the Marine Corps in the defending forces. Col. Samuel L. Howard is the senior officer of the Marine Corps personnel on the island. It is assumed that all of these officers and men have been captured and will be held as prisoners of war.
4. So far as is known no casualties resulted from any of the above sinkings.
5. There is nothing to report from other areas.
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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:
(a) One light cruiser, two destroyers, four gunboats, and one supply vessel were sunk.
(b) One 9,000-ton seaplane tender, one light cruiser, one cargo vessel, and one transport were badly damaged.
(c) 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.
No. 78 MAY 8, 1942
The Navy Department today issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 6 p. m., May 8, 1942.
Southwest Pacific.
A naval engagement between our forces and those of the Japanese has been in continuous progress in the general area southward of Bismarck Archipelago in the Coral Sea, since Monday, May 3, and there is no indication yet of a cessation. Japanese losses are believed to be:
Sunk Damaged
One aircraft carrier. One aircraft carrier.
One heavy cruiser. One heavy cruiser.
One light cruiser. One light cruiser.
Two destroyers. One seaplane tender.
Four gunboats. Two transports or cargo vessels.
Two transports or cargo vessels.
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2. Details of losses and damage to our forces are not fully known at present but no credence should be given to claims that have been or may be put out by Tokio.
3. There is nothing to report from other areas.
No. 79 MAY 9, 1942
The Navy Department issued the following communiqué today:
Southwest Pacific.
1. The Navy Department realizes that the American public is aware of the unreliable nature of any claims emanating from an enemy source.
2. Recent announcements by the enemy have made sweeping claims regarding U. S. losses in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
3. Reports received in the Navy Department to date fail to substantiate the loss of any U. S. aircraft carrier or battleship in that action.
4. Reports of damage to our forces are incomplete. They will be announced when the information will be without value to the enemy.
5. There is nothing to report from other areas.
No. 80 MAY 11, 1942
The Navy Department issued the following communiqué today:
Far East.
1. Information has been received that U. S. submarines operating in the Far East have sunk the following Japanese ships
One destroyer.
One naval cargo ship.
One medium-sized cargo ship.
2. These sinkings have not been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué and are not related to the recent engagement in the Coral Sea.
3. There is nothing to report from other areas.
No. 81 MAY 26, 1942
The Navy Department issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to noon, May 26, 1942:
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Caribbean Area.
1. The U. S. S. Blakeley, a World War destroyer, has been damaged by a torpedo from an enemy submarine in the Caribbean Sea.
2. The Blakeley has reached port with 10 members of her crew reported as missing and 6 injured. The injured men have been hospitalized and next of kin of both injured and missing are being notified as information is received in the Navy Department.
3. There is nothing to report from other areas.
No. 82 MAY 28, 1942
The Navy Department today issued the following communiqué based on reports received up to 1 p. m., May 28, 1942:
Far East.
1. Information has been received that U. S. submarines operating in the Far East have sunk or damaged enemy ships as shown below.
(a) One large auxiliary ship sunk.
(b) One medium-sized cargo ship sunk.
(c) One medium-sized cargo ship severely damaged and probably sunk.
(d) One heavy cruiser damaged by torpedo hits.
2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué and are not related to the engagement in the Coral Sea which was fought early this month.
3. There is nothing to report from other areas.