U.S. 48 star #10 Ensign of the USS Enterprise
The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the seventh U.S. Navy vessel to bear that distinguished name. Lovingly nicknamed "The Big E" she was the only aircraft carrier to fight and survive throughout the Second World War. She was engaged in every major battle save one, earning a total of 20 battle stars, the most highly decorated ship of WWII. From October to December 1942 she was the only carrier operating in the Pacific against the Japanese Navy and was thus their primary target. She escaped destruction and severe damage thus earning the appellation "Lucky Lady."

Incredibly there are very few documented surviving USS Enterprise flags and ensigns. One huge ensign survives from her 1938 shakedown cruise. Another is in the Pensacola, Florida National Museum of Naval Aviation while one other, like this example, was preserved by a crewmen.

Quartermaster 3rd Class Ernst B. Turp acquired this #10 ensign during his service aboard the Enterprise and retained it as a memento of service. The ensign is marked on the hoist "US No 10 MI 44" which translated United States flag; size number 10 (2.90' x 5.51'; Mare Island Naval Shipyard (the flag loft in which the flag was made) in 1944. This ensign is typical of similar wartime flags and exhibits the economy measures introduced in 1942.

Interestingly this ensign is almost identical to a similar #11 Ensign made at Mare Island in 1944, the first flag raised by the U.S. Marines on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima, only to be replaced a short time later by a larger flag made famous by the AP Photographer Joe Rosenthal. (See ZFC3849 for Joe Rosenthal's Personal Iwo Jim Photo Album.)

This flag was accompanied by other Enterprise artifacts; an admiral's absence signal (ZFC3844); a MK 2 USN Utility Knife & Sheath (ZFC3847 & 3848 ) and a USS Enterprise launching ashtray (ZFC3845) and Turp's USN Liberty Card from the USS Enterprise. (ZFC3865 ).

Provenance:

• US 48 star #10 ensign made at Mare Island Naval Ship Yard, 1944
• USS Enterprise, 1944 - 1945.
• USN Quartermaster 3c Ernest B. Turp, 1945.
• Retained by QM3c Turp as a memento of service until, 1990s.
• Acquired by purchase by The War Museum of New York City, 1990s
• Sold via Bonham's of New York City, NY to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2013.
Deaccessed at auction via Bonham's 21 November 2023, Auction #BOK23110NY, - 28447 - Lot #218

Sources:


USS Enterprise, Wikipedia, 9 April 2013, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_%28CV-6%29

Remembering Enterprise, USS Enterprise CV-6, The Most Decorated Ship of the Second World War, USS Enterprise Association, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.cv6.org/remember/default.htm

USS Enterprise, Naval History and Heritage Command, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/cv6.htm

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
Bonhams