THE CAPTAIN OF THE USS ENTERPRISE ASSESSES JAPANESE LOSSES AT MIDWAY An historic set of notes detailing losses of Japanese vessels at the crucial battle of Midway likely written by the captain of the USS ENTERPRISE GEORGE D. MURRAY (1889-1956) during the battle or within a few hours thereafter. The notes 8pp. 8vo. have all been written on ""U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE"" letterhead in pencil. The pages list 47 individual vessels or classes of vessels from full-sized aircraft carriers to battleships cruisers destroyers seaplane carriers and submarines. What is most revealing is the first page which lists the carriers Hosho Akagi Kaga Ryujo Soryu and Hiryu along with the numbers and types of aircraft aboard each. Four vessels bear check marks above their names but only three of those vessels bear a second check mark through the first: Akagi Kaga and Soryu. These three ""double"" check marked vessels were sunk or presumed sunk during the battle. The Hiryu which has only one check mark (which must indicate it was hit) would not sink until the following morning June 5th when it was scuttled by the Japanese. Therefore these notes must have been written before the Navy knew that the Hiryu had been destroyed. Additionally two Mogami class vessels bear double check marks and indeed the heavy cruiser Mogami was heavily damaged in the battle while her sister ship the Mikuma was sunk. An incredible set of contemporary notes from one of America's greatest sea battles. Fine condition.