Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "Battle of the Coral Sea" Oil on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 50c stamps for the Battle of the Coral Sea: Japanese Aichi D3A1 VALS/Nakajima B5N2 KATE and the U.S.S. Lexington with U.S. Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat. Jubilant over the sinking of the Japanese carrier Shoho, the U.S. naval task force prepared for enemy retaliation. On May 8, Japanese carrier-based aircraft swarmed down upon the American carrier complement, destroying the venerable U.S.S. Lexington and badly damaging the U.S.S. Yorktown. But U.S. aircraft responded rapidly and subsequently turned the tide of battle. Crippled by wave after wave of incoming U.S. aircraft, the Japanese carrier Shokaku withdrew from action and limped back toward Rabaul. Image Size: 13.25 x 34.25 in. Overall Size: 15.75 x 36.5 in. Unframed. (B13778 / B13779)