United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet CV-8

USS Hornet CV-8

Name: Hornet
Namesake: USS Hornet (1805)
Ordered: 30 March 1939
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Company
Laid down: 25th September 1939
Launched: 14th December 1940
Sponsored by: Annie Reid Knox
Commissioned: 20 October 1941
Nickname(s): "Happy Hornet", and "Horny Maru"
Honors and awards: 4 × battle stars
Fate: Sunk in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 27th October 1942

General characteristics (as built)

Class and type: Yorktown-class aircraft carrier
Displacement: 20,000 long tons (20,321 t) (standard), 25,500 long tons (25,909 t) (full load)
Length: 824 ft 9 in (251.38 m) (overall)
Beam: 83 ft 3 in (25.37 m) (waterline), 114 ft (35 m) (overall)
Draft: 28 ft (8.5 m) full load
Installed power: 9 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 120,000 shp (89,000 kW)
Propulsion: 4 shafts; 4 geared steam turbines
Speed: 32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph) (design)
Range: 12,500 nmi (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement: 2,919 officers and enlisted (wartime)
Armament:
8 × single 5 in (127 mm) DP guns
4 × quadruple 1.1 in (28 mm) AA guns
24 × single .50 in (12.7 mm) AA MGs
Armor:
Belt: 2.5–4 in (64–102 mm)
Deck: 4 in (102 mm)
Bulkheads: 4 in (102 mm)
Conning Tower: 4 in (102 mm)
Steering Gear: 4 in (102 mm)
Aircraft carried: 72 × aircraft
Aviation facilities: 3 × aircraft elevators, 3 × aircraft catapults

 

USS Hornet (CV-8), the seventh U.S. Navy vessel of that name, was a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy.

During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway and the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid. In the Solomon Islands campaign, she was involved in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where she was irreparably damaged by enemy torpedo and dive bombers. Faced with an approaching Japanese surface force, Hornet was abandoned and later torpedoed and sunk by approaching Japanese destroyers. Hornet was in service for one year and six days, and was the last U.S. fleet carrier ever sunk by enemy fire. For these actions, she was awarded four service stars and a citation for the Doolittle Raid in 1942, and her Torpedo Squadron 8 received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism for its performance at the Battle of Midway.

In January 2019, the wreckage of the vessel was located near the Solomon Islands.^[2]

Description and construction

USS Hornet (CV-8) under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding Company Virginia
USS Hornet (CV-8) under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding Company Virginia

Because of the limit on aggregate aircraft carrier tonnage included in the Washington Naval Treaty and subsequent London treaties, the United States had intended to build two Yorktown-class aircraft carriers and use the remaining allocated tonnage for a smaller, revised version of the same design, which eventually became Wasp. With war looming in Europe and the repudiation of the naval limitation treaties by Japan and Italy, the Navy's General Board decided to lay down a third carrier of the Yorktown design immediately - followed by the first carrier of the succeeding Essex class (CV-9). When the design was finalized, authorization from Congress came in the Naval Expansion Act of 1938.

Hornet had a length of 770 feet (235 m) at the waterline and 824 feet 9 inches (251.38 m) overall. She had a beam of 83 feet 3 inches (25.37 m) at the waterline, 114 feet (35 m) overall, with a draft of 24 feet 4 inches (7.42 m) as designed and 28 feet (8.5 m) at full load. She displaced 20,000 long tons (20,321 t) at standard load and 25,500 long tons (25,900 t) at full load. She was designed for a ship's crew consisting of 86 officers and 1280 men and an air complement consisting of 141 officers and 710 men.

Hornet was laid down on 25 September 1939 by Newport News Shipbuilding of Newport News, Virginia, and was launched on 14 December 1940, sponsored by Annie Reid Knox, wife of Secretary of the Navy Frank M. Knox. She was commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk on 20 October 1941, with Captain Marc A. Mitscher in command.^[9][10]

Flight deck arrangements

Her flight deck was 814 by 86 feet (248 m × 26 m) and her hangar deck was 546 by 63 feet (166 m × 19 m) and 17 feet 3 inches (5.26 m) high. She had three aircraft elevators each 48 by 44 feet (15 by 13 m) with a lifting capacity of 17,000 pounds (7,700 kg). She had two flight-deck and one hangar-deck hydraulic catapults equipped with the Mark IV Mod 3A arresting gear with a capability of 16,000 pounds (7,300 kg) and 85 miles per hour (137 km/h).^[7] She was designed to host a Carrier Air Group of 18 fighters, 18 bombers, 37 scout planes, 18 torpedo bombers, and six utility aircraft.^[3][8]

Propulsion

She was powered by nine Babcock & Wilcox boilers providing steam at 400 psi (2,800 kPa) and 648 °F (342 °C) to four Parsons Marine geared steam turbines each driving its own propeller. The turbines were designed to produce a total of 120,000 shaft horsepower [shp] (89,000 kW), giving her a range of 12,000 nautical miles (14,000 mi; 22,000 km) at a speed of 15 knots (17 mph; 28 km/h). She was designed to carry 4,280 long tons (4,350 t) of fuel oil and 178,000 US gallons (670,000 L) of Avgas. Her designed speed was 32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph). During sea trials, she produced 120,500 shp (89,900 kW) and reached 33.85 knots (62.69 km/h; 38.95 mph).

Armament

Hornet was equipped with 8 5-inch (127 mm)/38 caliber dual-purpose guns and 16 1.1-inch (28 mm)/75 caliber anti-aircraft guns in quad mounts (four guns operating together). Originally, she had 24 M2 Browning .50-inch (12.7 mm) machine guns, but these were replaced in January 1942 with 30 20-mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannon.^[3][4] An additional 1.1-inch (28 mm) quad mount was later added at her bow and two more 20 mm anti-aircraft guns were added for a total of 32 mounts. In addition, her athwartships hangar-deck aircraft catapult was removed.^[5] In June 1942, following the battle of Midway, Hornet had a new CXAM radar installed atop her tripod mast, and her SC radar was relocated to her mainmast. Unlike her sisters, Hornet's tripod mast and its signal bridge were not enclosed when the CXAM was installed, making her unique among the three ships.

Fire control and electronics

The USS Hornet (CV-8) was equipped with advanced fire control systems for its time, including a Mark 33 gun director and Mark 4 radar for accurate targeting. Additionally, it was outfitted with SK air search radar and SC surface search radar to enhance detection capabilities against both aircraft and ships, improving overall battlefield awareness and response.

Armor

Hornet had an armor belt that was 2.5 to 4 inches (64–102 mm) thick on a backing of 30-pound (14 kg) special treatment steel (STS). The flight and hangar decks were unarmored though the protective deck was 60-pound (27 kg) STS. Bulkheads had 4-inch (100 mm) armor, while the conning tower had splinter protection only, in contrast with her sister's 4-inch (100 mm) armor on the sides with 2 inches (51 mm) on top. The steering gear had 4-inch (100 mm) protection on the sides with splinter protection on the deck.^[6]

Service history - Inter-war period

The USS Hornet (CV-8) was commissioned on 20 October 1941, just weeks before the United States entered World War II, and had a brief service period during the final months of peace. During this time, the Hornet completed sea trials and training exercises to prepare its crew and air group for potential combat operations. While in the Atlantic, Hornet carried out training maneuvers designed to improve coordination between the ship and its aircraft, testing its readiness for potential wartime deployment. In early 1942, Hornet's crew and pilots were honing their skills for what would soon become a critical role in the Pacific theater.

After commissioning on 20 October 1941 at Norfolk Navy Yard, Hornet’s initial training and shakedown cruises took place in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic coast. She spent November and December 1941 conducting maneuvers to integrate her crew with carrier-based operations, including flight deck drills, gunnery practice, and damage control exercises, mostly off the coast of Virginia.

Pearl Harbor the trigger point for America to enter into WWII

 

Service history

Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hornet trained out of Norfolk. A hint of a future mission occurred on 2 February 1942 when Hornet departed Norfolk with two Army Air Forces B-25 Mitchell medium bombers on deck. Once at sea, the planes were launched to the surprise and amazement of Hornet's crew. Her men were unaware of the meaning of this experiment. Hornet returned to Norfolk, prepared to leave for combat, and sailed for the West Coast on 4 March via the Panama Canal.^[11][12]

In January 1942, Hornet continued her shakedown and operational readiness exercises along the East Coast, moving between Norfolk, Virginia, and other areas like Hampton Roads. On 2 February 1942, she carried out a highly secretive test involving two B-25 Mitchell bombers that were launched from her deck. This successful trial, executed off the coast of Norfolk, validated the possibility of launching larger land-based bombers from an aircraft carrier and would set the stage for the Doolittle Raid later that year.

Following final preparations and adjustments in Norfolk, Hornet departed for the Pacific on 4 March 1942, transiting through the Panama Canal and joining the U.S. Pacific Fleet, where she would soon join the active combat theaters in World War II.

Doolittle Raid, April 1942

Doolittle Raid, April 1942

Doolittle Raid B 25 Mitchells taking off from USS Hornet in heavy seas 18th April 1942

Hornet arrived at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, on 20 March 1942^[13] with her own planes on the hangar deck. By midafternoon on 1 April, she loaded 16 B-25s on the flight deck,^[14] under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle, 70 United States Army Air Corps officers and 64 enlisted men reported aboard. In company of her escort, Hornet departed Alameda on 2 April^[14] under sealed orders. That afternoon, Captain Mitscher informed his men of their mission: a bombing raid on Japan.

Eleven days later, Hornet joined the aircraft carrier Enterprise at Midway, and Task Force 16 turned toward Japan.^[15] With Enterprise providing combat air patrol cover, Hornet was to steam deep into enemy waters. Originally, the task force intended to proceed to within 400 nmi (460 mi; 740 km) of the Japanese coast, but on the morning of 18 April, a Japanese patrol boat, No. 23 Nitto Maru, sighted the American task force. Nashville sank the patrol boat.^[16] Amid concerns that the Japanese had been made aware of their presence, Doolittle and his raiders launched prematurely from 600 nmi (690 mi; 1,100 km) out, instead of the planned 400 nmi (460 mi; 740 km). Because of this decision, none of the 16 planes made it to their designated landing strips in China. After the war, Tokyo was found to have received the Nitto Maru's message in a garbled form and the Japanese ship was sunk before it could get a clear message through to the Japanese mainland.^[17]

USS Hammann (DD 412) sinking with stern high after being torpedoed by Japanese submarine I 168 6th Jun 1942 80 G 32320

As Hornet came about and prepared to launch the bombers, which had been readied for take-off the previous day, a gale of more than 40 kn (46 mph; 74 km/h) churned the sea with 30-foot (9.1 m) crests. Heavy swells, which caused the ship to pitch violently, shipped sea and spray over the bow, wetted the flight deck, and drenched the deck crews. The lead plane, commanded by Colonel Doolittle, had only 467 ft (142 m) of flight deck, while the last B-25 hung its twin rudders far out over the fantail. Doolittle, timing himself against the rise and fall of the ship's bow, lumbered down the flight deck, circled Hornet after take-off, and set course for Japan. By 09:20, all 16 were airborne, heading for the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands.^[16]

Hornet brought her own planes on deck as Task Force 16 steamed at full speed for Pearl Harbor. Intercepted broadcasts, both in Japanese and English, confirmed at 14:46 the success of the raids. Exactly one week to the hour after launching the B-25s, Hornet sailed into Pearl Harbor.^[18] That the Tokyo raid was the Hornet's mission was kept an official secret for a year. Until then, President Roosevelt referred to the ship from which the bombers were launched only as 'Shangri-La.' Two years later, the Navy gave this name to an aircraft carrier.

Hornet steamed from Pearl Harbor to aid Yorktown and Lexington^[19] on 30 April at the Battle of the Coral Sea, though the battle ended before she arrived. On 4 May, Task Force 16 crossed the equator; the first time ever for Hornet.^[20] Hornet, alongside Enterprise, executed a feint towards Nauru and Banaba (Ocean) islands, which caused the Japanese to cancel their operation to seize the two islands. She returned to Hawaii on 26 May,^[21] and sailed again two days later to help repulse an expected Japanese assault on Midway.^[5][12]

Doolittle Raid and USS Enterprise's role April 1942

After minor alterations and repairs at Pearl Harbor, Enterprise and TF 16 departed on 8 April 1942 to rendezvous with her sister ship Hornet and sailed west, escorting Hornet on the mission to launch 16 Army B-25 Mitchells in the 'Doolittle Raid' on Tokyo. While fighters from Enterprise flew combat air patrol, the B-25s launched on 18 April, and flew undetected the remaining 600 miles (1,000 km) to the target. The task force, its presence known to the enemy after a Japanese picket boat radioed a warning, reversed course and returned to Pearl Harbor on 25 April.^[7]

The Americans in the meantime made the daring decision to strike the Japanese home islands, weighing the possibility of launching Army bombers from a carrier. Hornet, Capt. Marc A. Mitscher in command, departed from Norfolk with two USAAF North American B-25Bs on her flight deck to practice the concept, on 2 February 1942. During the afternoon watch, Hornet launched the Mitchells, piloted by Lt. John E. Fitzgerald, USAAF, and Lt. James F. McCarthy, USAAF, to the surprise and amazement of the ships company, as security precautions prevented most of the men from knowing the meaning of the experiment, and returned to Norfolk Navy Yard for repairs and alterations. Lt. (j.g.) Henry L. Miller trained the crewmen of 24 B-25Bs of the Army’s 17th Bombardment Group, Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, USAAF, in command, in carrier procedures at Eglin Field, Fla. The Mitchells’ crews volunteered for a mission that would be “extremely hazardous, would require a high degree of skill and would be of great value to our defense effort.” They practiced intensive cross-country flying, night flying, and navigation, as well as “low altitude approaches to bombing targets, rapid bombing and evasive action.” Doolittle noted that Miller’s “tact, skill and devotion to duty” proved crucial in training the aircrews in the often dangerous carrier operations. Maintainers installed additional fuel tanks in the Mitchells and removed “certain unnecessary equipment” to ensure that they could launch from Hornet and reach their targets.

Mitscher took Hornet out from Norfolk as part of TF 17 on 4 March, shaped a course for the West Coast, passed through the Panama Canal on 11 March, and on 20 March reached NAS Alameda, Calif. Following their training meanwhile, some of the Mitchells crossed the country in a series of flights, and with her own planes stowed on the hangar deck, Hornet loaded 16 of the Army bombers on the flight deck while at Alameda on 1 April. Altogether, Doolittle brought 70 officers and 64 enlisted men to fly and maintain the aircraft. Under sealed orders Hornet slipped through the fog and under the Golden Gate Bridge on 2 April, and in company with Vincennes (CA-44), Nashville (CL-43), Grayson (DD-435), Gwin (DD-433), Meredith (DD-434), Monssen (DD-436), and Cimarron (AO-22), proceeded into the Pacific as TF 18. That afternoon the boatswain’s pipe drew men’s attention as Mitscher informed the carrier’s crew of their mission. Cheers echoed through the ship, and when Hornet signaled the announcement to the other ships, morale soared on board those vessels.

Enterprise took part in the secret mission and prepared by training her newer pilots north of the Hawaiian Islands (27 March and 1–3 April). On 2 April, nine VB-6 Dauntlesses patrolled in a formation when two of the SBD-2s (BuNos 2136 and 2165), Ens. Stephen C. Hogan Jr., USNR, and AMM2c W.T. Thompson, and Ens. Harry W. Liffner, USNR, and AMM2c P.N. Altman, collided. The day was a favorable one for flying with good weather, but Liffner and Altman, flying the No. 3 plane in the 3rd Section, dropped back slightly from the section leader. Hogan and Thompson failed to follow their section leader closely, moved out and then forward, and slammed into the other Dauntless. The pilots survived but both of the gunners died, and some of their squadron mates surmised that their breast plate armor may have hindered them from bailing out. Halsey and TF 16, comprising Enterprise, Northampton, Salt Lake City, Benham, Ellet, Fanning, Gridley, Maury, and McCall, sortied from Pearl Harbor on 8 April. On 13 April Halsey and Mitscher rendezvoused north of the Hawaiian Islands, and the two forces fell under the former’s command as TF 16 and turned toward Japan. Foul weather harried the ships during most of their journey but helped shroud them from detection.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) Doolittle Raid April 1942
1. Grumman F4F 3 Wildcat VF 6 Black 6F9 during machine gun tests CV-6 USS Enterprise 10th April 1942 2. Douglas TBD 1 Devastator on board USS Enterprise (CV-6) taken 11th April 1942 3 and 4. Grumman F4F 3 Wildcat VF 6 Black F8 and F3 with TBD 1 Devastator torpedo planes Enterprise (CV-6) 11th April 1942

The Japanese nonetheless monitored U.S. Navy radio traffic and deduced that the Americans could (potentially) launch a carrier raid on their homeland after 14 April, and prepared accordingly. Lacking radar, they developed a rudimentary “early warning” capability by deploying parallel lines of guardboats, radio-equipped converted fishing trawlers, operating at prescribed intervals offshore. As the darkened U.S. ships sliced through heavy seas during the mid watch on 18 April, Enterprise detected intruders on her radar, and at 0315 signaled the other vessels ominously: “Two enemy surface craft spotted.” The force manned their battle stations and watchstanders anxiously monitored the situation. As the day dawned, cold and grey, lookouts spotted Japanese guardboat No. 23 Nitto Maru at a distance of 20,000 yards at 0738, in a position about 668 miles from Tōkyō. The Americans had intended to close the Japanese homeland to shorten the flying range but because of the discovery Halsey launched the raid earlier than planned, in order to avoid potential retaliatory aerial attacks from bombers flying from Japanese airfields.

As Hornet swung about and prepared to launch the bombers, which had been readied for take-off the previous day, a gale of more than 40 knots churned the sea with 30-foot crests; heavy swells, which caused the ship to pitch violently, shipped sea and spray over the bow, and drenched the deck crews. Doolittle flew the first heavily-laden bomber down the flight deck, and shook many of the man watching tensely when he dropped momentarily in altitude, and then rose, circled Hornet, and set a course for Japan. By 0920 all 16 of the bombers were on their way for the first American air strike against the heart of the Japanese Empire. The attackers bombed military and oil installations and factories at Kōbe, Nagoya, Tōkyō, Yokohama, and Yokosuka. A bomb struck Japanese carrier Ryūhō (being converted from submarine depot ship Taigei) at Yokosuka, but the strike inflicted negligible damage. All of the Mitchells were lost - 15 crashed in China and the Soviets interned one at Vladivostok, but they later smuggled that crew to freedom across the Allied-occupied Iranian border. The Japanese savagely retaliated with reprisals against the areas in Chekiang [Zejiang] province, China, where people succored the aviators and butchered thousands of people, and in addition, captured eight of the fliers, afterward murdering three of the men. Doolittle survived and subsequently received the Medal of Honor.

Enterprise meanwhile launched F4F-3As of VF-6 for CAP and SBD-3s of VB-3 and SBD-2s of VB-6, and the Wildcats and Dauntlesses coordinated with surface attacks and damaged guardboats No. 23 Nitto Maru and Nagato Maru, which Nashville sank by gunfire. The carrier planes also damaged armed merchant cruiser Awata Maru and guardboats Chokyu Maru, Eikichi Maru, Kaijin Maru, Kowa Maru, No. 1 Iwate Maru, No. 2 Asami Maru, No. 3 Chinyo Maru, No. 21 Nanshin Maru, and No. 26 Nanshin Maru. The Japanese downed an SBD-3 (BuNo. 4603), Ens. Liston R. Comer, USNR, of VB-6. Hornet brought her own airplanes on deck and the ships came about and made full speed for Pearl Harbor. Intercepted broadcasts, both in Japanese and English, confirmed at 1445 the success of the raids. The following day light cruiser Kiso scuttled No. 21 Nanshin Maru by gunfire, and No. 1 Iwate Maru sank as the result of the damage inflicted by Enterprise planes. I-74 rescued No. 1 Iwate Maru’s crew and ultimately transferred them to Kiso on 22 April.^[51]

USS Enterprise (CV-6) on the day the Doolittle Raid 18th April 1942
1. USS Fanning (DD-385) escorting USS Enterprise (CV-6) during a raid on Wake Island late February 1942 2. USS Fanning (DD 385) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) on the day the Doolittle Raid 18th April 1942 3. USS Nashville (CL 43) firing her 6 inch main battery at a Japanese picket boat encountered by the task force 18th April 1942

 

Battle of Midway, June 1942

USS Hornet (CV-8) SBD Dauntless approaching the burning Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma 6th June 1942

On 28 May 1942, Hornet and Task Force 16 steamed out of Pearl Harbor heading for Point 'Luck', an arbitrary spot in the ocean roughly 325 miles (523 km) northeast of Midway, where they would be in a flank position to ambush Japan's mobile strike force of four frontline aircraft carriers, the Kidō Butai.^[22] Japanese carrier-based planes were reported headed for Midway in the early morning of 4 June.^[23] Hornet, Yorktown, and Enterprise launched aircraft, just as the Japanese carriers struck their planes below to prepare for a second attack on Midway.^[24] Hornet's dive bombers followed an incorrect heading and did not find the enemy fleet. Several bombers and all of the escorting fighters were forced to ditch when they ran out of fuel attempting to return to the ship. 15 torpedo bombers of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) found the Japanese ships and attacked. They were met by overwhelming fighter opposition about eight nautical miles (9 mi; 15 km) out, and with no escorts to protect them, they were shot down. Ensign George H. Gay, USNR, was the only survivor of 30 men.^[25][26]

Further attacks from Enterprise's and Yorktown's torpedo bombers proved equally disastrous, but succeeded in forcing the Japanese carriers to keep their decks clear for combat air patrol operations, rather than launching a counter-attack against the Americans. Japanese fighters were shooting down the last of the torpedo bombers over Hiryū when dive bombers of Enterprise and Yorktown attacked, causing enormous fires aboard the three other Japanese carriers, ultimately leading to their loss. Hiryū was hit late in the afternoon of 4 June by a strike from Enterprise and sank early the next morning. Hornet's aircraft, launching late due to the necessity of recovering Yorktown's scout planes and faulty communications, attacked a battleship and other escorts, but failed to score hits. Yorktown was lost to combined aerial and submarine attack.^[27]

Japanese cruiser Mikuma lost at Midway on 6th June 1942
Beside the loss of four aircraft carriers during the battle of Midway the heavy cruisers Mikuma was also sunk with the loss of 700 out of a crew of 850 a 82.3% casualty rate

Hornet's aircraft attacked the fleeing Japanese fleet on 6 June and assisted in sinking the heavy cruiser Mikuma, damaging a destroyer, and leaving the heavy cruiser Mogami heavily damaged and on fire. The attack by Hornet on the Mogami ended one of the great decisive battles of naval history.^[27] Midway Atoll was saved as an important base for American operations into the Western Pacific Ocean. Of greatest importance was the crippling of the Japanese carrier strength, a severe blow from which the Imperial Japanese Navy never fully recovered. The four large carriers took with them to the bottom about 250 naval aircraft and a high percentage of the most highly trained and experienced Japanese aircraft maintenance personnel. The victory at Midway was a decisive turning point in the War in the Pacific.^[12]

On 16 June 1942, Captain Charles P. Mason became commanding officer of Hornet upon her return to Pearl Harbor.^[9] Hornet spent the next six weeks replenishing her stores, having minor repairs performed, and most importantly, having additional light antiaircraft guns and the new RCA CXAM air-search radar fitted. She did not sail in late July with the forces sent to recapture Guadalcanal, but instead remained at Pearl Harbor in case she was needed elsewhere.

Other carriers involved in the Battle of Midway June 1942

Adm. Nimitz awards Lt. Cmdr. McClusky the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony on the flight deck of Enterprise at Pearl Harbor, 26 May 1942. MATT2c Doris Miller, who receives the Navy Cross for his valorous actions during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941, also stands in the ranks (right foreground).

The threat posed by the U.S. carriers convinced the Japanese to occupy Midway Island to lure the Pacific Fleet into a decisive battle. Japanese Adm. Yamamoto Isoroku, Commander in Chief Combined Fleet, developed Operation MI - a comprehensive plan that emphasized attaining surprise. On 27 May Nagumo took Dai-ichi Kidō Butai, including Akagi, Kaga, Hiryū, and Sōryū, out from Japanese waters.

The U.S. Naval War College subsequently analyzed some of the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing forces. The Americans possessed superior intelligence, especially as cryptanalysts deciphered elements of the enemy’s signals intelligence through ULTRA, and thus to a degree attained surprise. In addition: a number of the U.S. ships including Enterprise operated their CXAM-1 radar, and the defenders of Midway Island maintained an SCR-270 set; they possessed fighter direction using their radar; a flanking position; and the planes that flew from Midway, which effectively served as an unsinkable aircraft carrier. Furthermore, their carrier planes had self-sealing fuel tanks and aircraft armor. The U.S. practice of operating their limited number of aircraft carriers separately, however, with the intention of ensuring that the enemy only attacked one or two carriers at a time, proved erroneous, because it weakened the numbers and firepower of the fighters of the CAP and of the antiaircraft guns that the additional escorts would have provided. Their ships also fought with inadequate antiaircraft firepower, especially heavy machine guns. In addition, their task forces sailed under different sets of cruising instructions, and lacked experience operating together. Hornet and her air group entered battle relatively new and inexperienced, and Yorktown embarked a composite air group from different carriers. The various types of aircraft lacked common performance in terms of speed and range, their fighters flew largely inferior in capabilities to their Japanese counterparts, the torpedo planes proved slow and vulnerable, and the torpedoes characteristically performed poorly.

The Japanese deployed a greater number of carriers, as well as battleships. Their air striking force fought as a well-balanced arm with experienced and well-trained pilots and aircrewmen; higher performance fighters; and more common types of planes in terms of their flight and combat characteristics, all of which facilitated their tactical employment as a single unit. The Japanese lacked actionable intelligence, however, especially as they failed to deploy their submarines in time to discover the movements of the U.S. carriers; and furthermore, their carriers lacked radar, a crucial tactical disadvantage. They overestimated the damage they had inflicted to date on the Americans and believed that they sank Lexington -- when I-6 torpedoed Saratoga on 11 January -- and Saratoga (Lexington) during the Battle of the Coral Sea. In addition, their intelligence analysts thought that they had so seriously damaged Yorktown that she would be out of action for months, but the Americans hastily, if not completely, repaired the carrier in time for the battle. The Japanese planes largely flew with less protection than the Americans’, and they did not have self-sealing fuel tanks. Much like their foes, their ships lacked adequate antiaircraft firepower, especially heavy machine guns. Finally, their air search and reconnaissance flights from Wake Island proved woefully inadequate because of the long range, which limited their impact on the battle.

Halsey had spent a great deal of time at sea and suffered from dermatitis and temporarily convalesced ashore, so Nimitz directed Spruance to command TF 16, including Enterprise and Hornet, while Fletcher led TF 17 and Yorktown. Spruance broke his flag in Enterprise and on 28 May sailed from Pearl Harbor to meet the Japanese with: Enterprise and Hornet; Minneapolis (CA-36), New Orleans (CA-32), Northampton, Pensacola, Salt Lake City, and Vincennes; Atlanta (CL-51), which mounted a powerful main antiaircraft battery of 16 5-inch guns; and Aylwin (DD-355), Balch, Benham, Conyngham (DD-371), Ellet, Maury, Monaghan (DD-354), Phelps (DD-360), and Worden (DD-352). “You will have the opportunities to deal the enemy heavy blows”, Nimitz signaled the ships. Spruance maneuvered northeast of Midway, with orders “to hold Midway and inflict maximum damage on the enemy by strong attrition tactics.” Rumors swept through Enterprise and some men wondered why they steamed toward those waters when the fighting appeared to be in the south Pacific.

Fletcher set out two days later with Yorktown; Astoria (CA-34) and Portland (CA-33); and Anderson (DD-411), Gwin, Hamman (DD-412), Hughes (DD-410), Morris (DD-417), and Russell (DD-414); and as the senior officer became Officer in Tactical Command (OTC). Cimarron and Platte supported the carriers, escorted by Dewey (DD-349) and Monssen (DD-436). TG 11.1, built around the newly repaired Saratoga, set out from San Diego for the battle on the morning of 1 June, temporarily led by Saratoga’s commanding officer, Capt. DeWitt C. Ramsey, because Rear Adm. Aubrey W. Fitch, the group’s commander, steamed en route on board Chester and did not arrive at San Diego until the following afternoon. Altogether, Chester; San Diego (CL-53); and Laffey (DD-459), Mahan (DD-364), Preston (DD-379), and Smith (DD-378), sailed with Saratoga or later shaped a course to catch up to her, but all failed to reach the fighting in time.

Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber BulNo 0370 after a deck landing accident on 28th May 1942

6-S-2 crashed into the ship’s barrier as the plane landed during the afternoon watch on 30 May. The Dauntless dropped an incendiary bomb that started a small fire on the flight deck, but crewmen extinguished the blaze. The extensive U.S. build-up to face the Japanese attack included 12 PBY-5As of VP-44, which joined other airplanes from VPs 14, 23, 24, 51, 72, and 9 at Midway Island. The strategic atoll actually consists of two principal islands, Eastern and Sand, together with sand islets. The Americans thus split the patrol aircraft into two groups: 10 planes flying from Eastern Island and the remaining 22 from Sand Island. The aircraft flew sector searches out to 700 miles from Midway, beginning at 0415 each morning, but VP-44’s Catalinas lacked radar and the crewmen scanned the horizon for the enemy using their “Mark I eyeballs”. One of these airplanes, flown by Ens. Jewell H. Reid, located the Japanese Second Fleet Escort Force about 600 miles west of Midway on 3 June 1942. The following morning, a PBY-5A of VP-24 attacked the Occupation Force northwest of Midway, and the Catalina torpedoed and damaged fleet tanker Akebono Maru.

U.S. Navy meteorologists reported “excellent visibility” that morning “except beyond 400 miles to the north northwest”. The surface winds were variable, and nearer Midway the surface winds under the influence of a northeasterly high pressure area were from the southeast, which generally proved advantageous to the Japanese by enabling their carriers to close the island while steaming into the wind. The weather compelled the U.S. carriers to turn away from the Japanese when launching and recovering their airplanes, thus sacrificing time and fuel in closing the enemy. Nagumo prepared two strikes on the morning of 4 June 1942: the first against Midway and a second against the U.S. carriers in the event that the Japanese search planes discovered them. Japanese Lt. Tomonaga Joichi led 107 aircraft from their carriers in the first strike against Midway. A patrol plane flying from Midway reported Tomonaga’s strike inbound at 0545, and a few minutes later, another Catalina radioed the discovery of the Japanese carriers, approximately 180 miles distant from the embattled island. Nimitz ordered the available fighters on the island to rise and intercept the raiders, and for the bombers to attack the enemy carriers.

Brewster F2A-3 Buffaloes and F4F-3 Wildcats of VMF-221 intercepted the raiders, but Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 0 carrier fighters brushed aside the marines and the enemy bombed and strafed the island, hitting floatplanes in the lagoon, the command post, hospital, service buildings, and oil fuel tanks. Despite the pounding, however, they failed to suppress Midway. “There is need for a second attack wave”, Tomonaga signaled Nagumo at 0700, and the admiral concurred and ordered the planes from the additional strike group rearmed to assail the island. Maintainers on board Akagi and Kaga scrambled to rearm Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 carrier attack planes from torpedoes to bombs, and on board Hiryū and Sōryū Aichi D3A1 Type 99 carrier bombers from armor-piercing to fragmentation bombs. The Japanese carriers surged with activity because in addition to that work, they also landed, rearmed, and launched fighters against American aircraft that attacked them from Midway. A steady stream of intelligence reports, some contradictory, reached Nimitz and while Tomonaga’s planes struck Midway, Nimitz ordered the aircraft on the island to attack the enemy carriers. Throughout the day Midway’s defenders responded valiantly and SBD-2 Dauntlesses and SB2U-3 Vindicators of VMSB-241, TBF-1 Avengers -- their introduction to combat -- from a detachment of VT-8, and Army Martin B-26 Marauders equipped with torpedoes and Boeing B-17E Flying Fortresses struck the enemy ships separately but suffered grim losses.

The Japanese cruisers had also launched search planes but two of their heavy cruisers, Chikuma and Tone, launched theirs later than originally intended. Tone’s No. 4 plane, flown by PO1c Amari Hiroshi, catapulted from the ship at 0500. Amari experienced an eventful flight because he reported (separately) sighting two American submarines, and then at 0720 discovered Enterprise, Hornet, and their screen, which he reported as “what appears to be” ten ships, steering 150° at more than 20 knots. Amari neglected to mention the carriers but his discovery stunned Nagumo. Despite the vagueness of his message, winds from the southeast prevailed and the American ships steamed to the southeast, which indicated that they likely comprised at least one or more carriers launching aircraft. Nagumo nonetheless decided to adhere to doctrine, recover Tomonaga’s group, and attack the U.S. ships in a concentrated strike. In addition, both sides deployed submarines to scout and to attack the opposing ships, and Nautilus (SS-168), Lt. Cmdr. William H. Brockman Jr., in command, sighted some of the enemy ships and attempted to attack, but an A6M2 spotted the submarine as she rose to periscope depth and machine gunned her. Nautilus dived and continued to stalk the enemy ships, but the Japanese detached destroyer Arashi and she depth charged the submarine, which escaped.

Fletcher meanwhile at 0607 intercepted the first contact reports, and directed Spruance to “proceed southwesterly and attack enemy carriers as soon as definitely located. I will follow as soon as planes recovered.” Spruance launched his aircraft at the time he calculated the Japanese planes would return to their carriers following their strike on Midway, hopefully catching them while they refueled and rearmed. Enterprise began launching her strike at 0706, and Lt. Cmdr. McClusky led: 33 SBD 2 and 3 Dauntlesses of the group section, VB-6, led by 6-B-1, Lt. Best and ACRM Murray, and VS-6, led by 6-S-1, Lt. W. Earl Gallaher and ACRM T.E. Merritt; 15 of the Dauntlesses each carried one 1,000 pound bomb; 12 flew armed with one 500 pound and two 100 pound bombs; and six lifted aloft each with one 500 pound bomb; 14 TBD-1 Devastators of VT-6, each carrying a single torpedo slung beneath the fuselage, Lt. Cmdr. Lindsey in command; and ten F4F-4 Wildcats of VF-6, led by Lt. Gray, now the squadron’s commanding officer. Enterprise and Hornet together launched 116 aircraft. A short time later, Fletcher sent 35 planes aloft from Yorktown, and held the balance on board to be ready to attack the still unlocated additional enemy carriers.

Douglas TBD-1 Devastator VT-6 from USS Enterprise (CV-6)
The Devastators of VTs 3, 6, and 8 gallantly but futilely assailed the enemy carriers but fighters and antiaircraft fire virtually wiped-out all three squadrons. The enemy carriers came about and maneuvered so as to keep the attackers on their quarters, which necessitated long and vulnerable approaches. Fourteen Devastators from Enterprise, separated from their fighter escorts as the Wildcats flew at a higher altitude, expecting to meet the enemy CAP there, determinedly attacked but the enemy fighters and flak shot down ten of the lumbering planes, including the command aircraft, killing Lt. Cmdr. Lindsey and his gunner, ACRM C.T. Granat. Twelve Devastators from Yorktown under escort by six Wildcats resolutely flew toward the carriers but suffered the same fate and ten of the torpedo planes spiraled into the waves. The Japanese shot down 35 of the 41 Devastators from the carriers.

“When news reached us that the torpedo boys had been nearly wiped out,” Lt. Gray recalled, “the shock was as total as that which one could expect from a death in his immediate family. These were shipmates and dear friends of many years.” “It is not the desire of the writer,” Lt. (j.g.) Robert E. Laub of VT-6 reported, “to call attention to the action of any one individual but it is his sincere wish that some recognition be given those who paid with their lives for a magnificent victory.”

A sailor on board Pensacola snaps this picture of Enterprise as she steams at high speed during the Battle of Midway, at about 0725 on 4 June 1942. The carrier has just launched Dauntlesses of VB-6 and VS-6, and is striking her unlaunched bombers below to prepare to launch Wildcats of VF-6 and Devastators of VT-6. Some SBDs orbit overhead while they await the launch of additional planes, and Northampton (far right) faithfully shepherds Enterprise.

The Devastators of VTs 3, 6, and 8 gallantly but futilely assailed the enemy carriers but fighters and antiaircraft fire virtually wiped-out all three squadrons. The enemy carriers came about and maneuvered so as to keep the attackers on their quarters, which necessitated long and vulnerable approaches. Fourteen Devastators from Enterprise, separated from their fighter escorts as the Wildcats flew at a higher altitude, expecting to meet the enemy CAP there, determinedly attacked but the enemy fighters and flak shot down ten of the lumbering planes, including the command aircraft, killing Lt. Cmdr. Lindsey and his gunner, ACRM C.T. Granat. Twelve Devastators from Yorktown under escort by six Wildcats resolutely flew toward the carriers but suffered the same fate and ten of the torpedo planes spiraled into the waves. The Japanese shot down 35 of the 41 Devastators from the carriers. “When news reached us that the torpedo boys had been nearly wiped out,” Lt. Gray recalled, “the shock was as total as that which one could expect from a death in his immediate family. These were shipmates and dear friends of many years.” “It is not the desire of the writer,” Lt. (j.g.) Robert E. Laub of VT-6 reported, “to call attention to the action of any one individual but it is his sincere wish that some recognition be given those who paid with their lives for a magnificent victory.” The victory Laub referred to occurred largely because the multiple attacks drew off the Japanese fighters and left the skies open for attacks by the remaining aircraft flying from Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown, and threw the Japanese ships’ formation into disarray, which weakened their defense against the assault.

McClusky led a strike group of 32 Dauntlesses: McClusky and 16 other aircraft (SBD-3s) of VS-6, which carried one 500 pound and two 100 pound bombs each; and 15 of the planes from VB-6, loaded with one 1,000 pound bomb each. Following Arashi’s attack on Nautilus, the destroyer came about and churned the water as she made speed to return to the carriers. As McClusky flew at an altitude of 14,000 feet and watched his fuel gauge drop, he searched for the Japanese ships, but at 0955 caught a brief glimpse of the telltale white of Arashi’s wake, outlined vividly against the smooth sea. The pilot correctly surmised that the wake indicated a ship operating with the carriers and directed his planes to turn and follow Arashi to the northeast, and the warship inadvertently led the Americans to the enemy carriers. The Dauntlesses sighted Akagi, Kaga, and Sōryū just after 1020, steaming toward the northwest in a circular disposition of roughly eight miles, and discovered the enemy ships at almost the same time as the planes from Yorktown. Hiryū sailed ahead of the other three carriers.

The arrival of the Dauntlesses caught the Japanese unprepared; the enemy antiaircraft guns did not open fire until the bombers began diving, and most of their fighters attempted unsuccessfully to climb to meet the menace from above. Rather than concentrating their attacks the aircraft from Enterprise briefly struggled with communication errors and split into two groups. McClusky led most of the bombers as he pushed his plane downward in a 70° dive from 14,500 feet at 280 knots against Kaga. The redoubtable Dickinson received a second Gold Star in lieu of his third award of the Navy Cross for piercing the Japanese fighters and antiaircraft fire with “fortitude and resolute devotion to duty,” pressing home his attacks through “gallant perseverance and utter disregard for his own personal safety.” Dickinson ran out of fuel on his return flight and ditched in the water about five miles from Enterprise, but Phelps rescued him. The attackers dropped at least four bombs into Kaga, starting horrific fires that ultimately doomed the ship. That afternoon Nautilus attacked Kaga but her torpedoes failed to explode, and the carrier finally sank later that evening.

Battle of Midway Lt. Richard H Best commanded VB-6 which contributed to the sinking of the Japanese carriers Akagi and Hiryu

At the Battle of Midway Best, now a lieutenant, commanded VB-6, which contributed to the sinking of the Japanese carriers Akagi and Hiryu. Eyewitnesses reported that Best himself delivered Akagi’s death blow on 4 June a bomb that pierced the carrier’s flight deck and exploded in the upper hangar. Later, Best may have delivered one of the bombs that fatally damaged Hiryu. He was awarded both the Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the battle. Best may be the first U.S. naval aviator to score hits on two carriers in one day. Minutes after the torpedo plane attacks, American carrier-based dive bombers arrived over the Japanese carriers almost undetected and began their dives. It was at this time, around 10:20, that in the words of Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully, the 'Japanese air defenses would finally and catastrophically fail.' Twenty-eight dive bombers from Enterprise, led by C. Wade McClusky, began an attack on Kaga, hitting her with at least four bombs. At the last minute, one of McClusky's elements of three bombers from VB-6, led by squadron commander Richard Best who deduced Kaga to be fatally damaged, broke off and dove simultaneously on Akagi. At approximately 10:26, the three bombers hit her with one 1,000-pound (450 kg) bomb and just missed with two others. The first near-miss landed 5–10 m (16–33 ft) to port, near her island. The third bomb just missed the flight deck and plunged into the water next to the stern. The second bomb, likely dropped by Best, landed at the aft edge of the middle elevator and detonated in the upper hangar. This hit set off explosions among the fully armed and fueled B5N torpedo bombers that were being prepared for an air strike against the American carriers, resulting in an uncontrollable fire.

Lt. Best led a pair of Dauntlesses, Lt. (j.g.) Edwin J. Kroeger, USNR, and Ens. Frederick T. Weber, USNR, against Akagi from her portside as the enemy flagship turned initially to starboard, and aimed for what he believed was the island but most likely dived on the large stack jutting to starboard. One of his wingmen pointed his bomber toward the large hinomaru (Rising Sun recognition emblem) painted on the ship’s forward flight deck. The Dauntlesses scored a single hit and two near misses on Akagi, the hit likely made by Best himself. “Nobody pushed his dive steeper or held it longer than Dick” is how his gunner, ACRM Murray, later described the confident pilot. The bomb proved fatal as the damage control teams failed to contain the ensuing blaze, which eventually triggered huge explosions that set the ship afire from stem to stern. Nagumo initially refused to leave the ship’s bridge but then transferred his flag to light cruiser Nagara. Destroyers Arashi, Hagikaze, Maikaze, and Nowaki torpedoed the carrier during the morning watch the following day. The Japanese shot down some of the aircraft including a Dauntless, Ens. Frank W. O’Flaherty and AMM1c Gaido of VS-6 from Enterprise, and O’Flaherty subsequently received the Navy Cross for bravely attacking the enemy ships. Japanese destroyer Makigumo pulled O’Flaherty and Gaido from the water, and the enemy held the men as prisoners but brutally drowned them on 10 June. They similarly murdered Ens. Wesley F. Osmus, a Devastator pilot from Yorktown, while holding him prisoner on board Arashi. Osmus received the Navy Cross posthumously for bravely flying his run against the carriers when he was shot down, the Navy unaware of the circumstances of his death. Dauntlesses of VB-3 from Yorktown planted three bombs into Sōryū, and her crew later abandoned ship.

USS Yorktown (CV-5) 4th Jun 1942
Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless VB-6 Bul No 4542 USS Enterprise moved to USS Yorktown (CV-5) 4th Jun 1942

Fletcher still lacked actionable intelligence concerning Hiryū and Yorktown launched scouts at 1150. Hiryū launched 18 Aichi D3A1 Type 99 carrier bombers that damaged Yorktown, however, and at 1315 Fletcher transferred his flag to Astoria, and turned over tactical command to Spruance. Ten Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 carrier attack planes flying from Hiryū then damaged Yorktown during a second attack. Some of the surviving aircraft from Yorktown in the meantime landed on Enterprise and Hornet, including Dauntlesses of VB-3, Lt. Dewitt W. Shumway in command, and VB-5, Lt. Wallace C. Short Jr.

During the afternoon watch a U.S. plane sighted Hiryū and her screen. Upon receiving the report on the fourth Japanese carrier’s position, Spruance ordered Enterprise and Hornet to launch Dauntlesses, including some of the survivors from Yorktown. While they flew en route some of the men sighted the smoke rising from the three stricken Japanese carriers. The U.S. aircraft included a Dauntless flown by Best and Murray, who dived on their second enemy carrier of the day. Best afterward received the Navy Cross for his actions in the battle. Shumway received the Navy Cross for pressing “home his attack with courageous aggressiveness and utter disregard for his own personal safety. His capable initiative and inspiring leadership contributed to the high state of [VB-3’s] combat efficiency.” The enemy fighters fought desperately and Hiryū maneuvered adroitly, but her attackers dropped four 1,000 pound bombs in rapid succession that tore into the forward third of the carrier, and their detonations thrust part of the flight deck upward and then collapsed it, blew a portion of the forward elevator against the front of the island, and left the ship a mass of flames. Destroyer Makigumo helped finish off the crippled carrier, which sank during the forenoon watch on 5 June. Thirty-nine survivors, Cmdr. Aimune Kunize in command, drifted in a 30-foot cutter for nearly two weeks, during which four men died, until Ballard (AVD-10) rescued them on 19 June. One of the survivors died after being brought on board the seaplane tender, but the rest spent the war as prisoners.

The night of 5 and 6 June did not pass uneventfully as during the mid watch Japanese heavy cruisers Mikuma and Mogami collided while maneuvering to elude Tambor (SS-198), Lt. Cmdr. John W. Murphy Jr., in command. The impact crumpled Mogami’s bow nearly 40-feet, and slightly damaged Mikuma. The latter stood by to render assistance to Mogami as they limped along at reduced speed, but Murphy sent a contact report and during the forenoon watch a Catalina sighted the oil slick that Mikuma trailed. A strike group of a half dozen each Dauntlesses and Vindicators from VMSB-241 from Midway spotted the oil slick and followed it to the cruisers. The marines’ unsuccessfully attacked the ships, which shot down one of the Vindicators, Capt. Richard E. Fleming, USMC, and Pfc. George A. Toms, USMC, both of whom died. Eight Flying Fortresses flying from the island also bombed but missed the ships.

Additional though conflicting reports reached Spruance, including information from 8-B-2, a Dauntless of VB-8 flying from Enterprise, which reported what the crew believed to be a carrier and five destroyers, and dropped messages on the flight deck and then landed on board Hornet, where the pilot corrected himself and explained that he meant a battleship and her escorts. Spruance resolved to attack and directed the carriers to launch a strike, and during the forenoon watch Enterprise and Hornet sent 31 Dauntlesses armed with 1,000 pound bombs, three Devastators with torpedoes, and a dozen Wildcats to strafe the ships. Planes of squadrons from different ships comprised the group, which flew under the overall command of Lt. Short of Yorktown’s VB-5. Because the three torpedo squadrons had suffered appalling losses on 4 June, Spruance expressly forbade the Devastators to attack and face the antiaircraft fire from the Japanese ships.

Soon after the attack group launched, they received orders by voice radio to search for and attack a battleship believed to be about 40 miles ahead of the previous sighting, and that a further three Devastators would launch and join them. The aircraft climbed slowly to 22,500 feet and maneuvered while they waited for the torpedo planes to catch-up, but the second trio of Devastators failed to sight the attack group and the attack force continued past the cruisers, which they also failed to spot up sun and at maximum altitude. They searched ahead for nearly 30 miles, but the Wildcats spotted their prey, the Japanese ships steering 240° at 28 knots as Mikuma steamed in the van followed by Mogami and escorted by destroyers Arashio and Asashio. The aircraft converged on the ships, and the Dauntlesses started a long approach from about 21,000 feet from out of the sun and downwind, and then plunged downward from their push over point at 14,000 feet. The cruisers turned to starboard in an apparent attempt to head downwind, but two bombs slammed into Mogami, one forward of the bridge and another amidships on the aircraft deck. Most of the planes concentrated their runs on Mikuma, however, which raised a heavy stream of automatic gunfire. The first bomb exploded on the top of her No. 3 8-inch turret, and showered fragments across the bridge. Two bombs rapidly followed and tore into the ship’s vitals, devastating her starboard forward engineroom. Another two of the lethal devices crashed into the seaplane deck and down into the port aft engine room, and an inferno erupted near the torpedo tubes. The attackers scored as many as five hits and two near misses on the ship. Hornet dispatched another raid that afternoon and Dauntlesses further damaged the cruisers, and in addition, bombed and strafed Arashio and Asashio, knocking off huge pieces of metal, and causing a small explosion on board each ship. Mogami suffered a fearsome fire in her aircraft deck that all but wiped out her sick bay and the wounded men receiving treatment there, and smoked heavily but slipped away, escorted by the destroyers. A pair of Dauntlesses from Enterprise later flew over the still burning Mikuma and photographed her, and when some officers afterward examined the pictures, they initially surmised that they faced a battlecruiser displacing 20,000 tons and mounting 11- or 12-inch guns! The fires continued to blaze and cooked off a number of Mikuma’s torpedoes, which exploded catastrophically and further damaged the ship, and she sank after dusk near 29°28'N, 173°11'E.

Repairing bomb damage on board USS Yorktown (CV-5)
Repairing bomb damage on board USS Yorktown (CV-5) Battle of Midway 4th Jun 1942

USS Yorktown (CV-5) fire control and sinking, 7 June 1942
USS Yorktown (CV-5) firefighters at work after the ship was hit by three Japanese bombs 4th June 1942

 

The enemy planes had heavily damaged Yorktown, however, and destroyers struggled to save the carrier and guard her from further harm. Japanese submarine I-168 penetrated the screen and attacked Yorktown, which was under tow of tug (ex-minesweeper) Vireo (AT-144), and Hammann, sending the destroyer to the bottom. Gwin, Hughes, and Monaghan attacked I-168 but the enemy boat eluded them. In addition to the Japanese ships sunk they lost 258 aircraft. The Americans lost at least 92 carrier and 40 shore-based planes. The pilots and their crewmen “displayed a spirit of utter fearlessness,” Capt. Murray proudly reported of the Enterprise Air Group, “resolution and determination throughout all air actions.” The group lost 31 planes: F-12, a Wildcat (BuNo. 5062) flown by Machinist William H. Warden, that ran out of fuel and ditched - Monaghan’s whaleboat rescued Warden; 20 Dauntlesses, costing seven pilots and eight gunners of VB-6 and seven pilots and seven gunners of VS-6 their lives; and ten Devastators, killing ten pilots and ten gunners, of VT-6. “The conduct of the officers and men of the Ship’s Company was exemplary,” Cmdr. Jeter reported.

The Japanese loss of their carriers and the irretrievable failure to control the air compelled Yamamoto to retire. The decisive U.S. victory accelerated the attrition that led to the demise of Japanese naval offensive power, in particular costing them dearly in terms of experienced airmen and maintainers. Enterprise and Hornet recovered their aircraft and came about to eastward to refuel and broke contact with the enemy. Saratoga rendezvoused with TF 16 and transferred planes to bring Enterprise and Hornet up to strength -- five Devastators and ten Dauntlesses to Enterprise -- on 10 June, and on 15 June Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor.

Japanese carrier Hiryu lost at Midway on 5th June 1942
1. USAAF taken at 20,000 Japanese carrier Hiryu under B 17 attack 431BS Battle of Midway 4th Jun 1942 2-3. Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu burning shortly after sunrise Battle of Midway on 5th June 1942 4-5. Japanese carrier Hiryu's crew rescued from a lifeboat two weeks after the Battle aboard USS Ballard (AVD-10) 19th Jun 1942

Nimitz reorganized the Pacific Fleet following the Battle of Midway, which became effective on 15 June. Fletcher’s TF 16 comprised Enterprise, Chester, Portland, Atlanta, Balch, Benham, Ellet, Grayson, Gwin, Maury, and Monssen. Meanwhile planes continued to search for downed aviators and on 21 June, a PBY-5A from VP-24 rescued the two-man crew from a VT-6 Devastator that flew from Enterprise during the Battle of Midway. Their airplane had to land in the water on 4 June, and they had drifted to a position about 360 miles north of the island when the Catalina discovered them, marking the last survivors of the battle to be recovered. Following the battle, Enterprise completed a short availability at Pearl Harbor, during which workers installed four quadruple 40 millimeter mounts in place of four 1.1-inch batteries, a 1.1-inch anti-aircraft mount at the extreme bow on the forecastle deck and forward fire control radar, and removed the forward auxiliary elevator, the two catapults on the main deck, and the remaining .50 cal. machine guns. The ship trained (8–11 July 1942) and then prepared to take part in Operation Watchtower - landings by the 1st Marine Division on Japanese-held Guadalcanal, Florida, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Tulagi in the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands campaign, August–October, 1942

Hornet steamed out of harbor on 17 August 1942 to guard sea approaches to the bitterly contested Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Bomb damage to Enterprise on 24 August, torpedo damage to Saratoga on 31 August, and the sinking of Wasp on 15 September left Hornet as the only operational U.S. carrier in the South Pacific. She was responsible for providing air cover over the Solomon Islands until 24 October 1942, when she was joined by Enterprise just northwest of the New Hebrides Islands. Both carriers and their escorts steamed out to intercept a Japanese aircraft carrier/battleship/cruiser force closing in on Guadalcanal.^[5][12]

Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands

Hornet under attack during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands

USS Hornet (CV-8) under Japanese air attacks Santa Cruz 26th Oct 1942
1. USS Hornet (CV-8) under Japanese air attacks Santa Cruz 26th Oct 1942 2-5. USS Northampton (CA 26) and a destroyer standing by the crippled USS Hornet (CV-8) Santa Cruz 26th Oct 1942

The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands took place on 26 October 1942 without contact between surface ships of the opposing forces. That morning, Enterprise's planes bombed the carrier Zuihō, while planes from Hornet severely damaged the carrier Shōkaku and the heavy cruiser Chikuma. Two other cruisers were also attacked by Hornet's aircraft. Meanwhile, Hornet was attacked by a coordinated dive bomber and torpedo plane attack.^[12] In a 15-minute period, Hornet was hit by three bombs from Aichi D3A 'Val' dive bombers. One 'Val', after being heavily damaged by antiaircraft fire while approaching Hornet, crashed into the carrier's island, killing seven men and spreading burning aviation gas over the deck. A flight of Nakajima B5N 'Kate' torpedo bombers attacked Hornet and scored two hits, which seriously damaged the electrical systems and engines. As the carrier came to a halt, another damaged 'Val' deliberately crashed into Hornet's port side near the bow.^[5]

With power knocked out to her engines, Hornet was unable to launch or land aircraft, forcing her aviators to either land on Enterprise or ditch in the ocean. Rear Admiral George D. Murray ordered the heavy cruiser Northampton to tow Hornet clear of the action. Japanese aircraft were attacking Enterprise, allowing Northampton to tow Hornet at a speed of about five knots (9 km/h; 6 mph). Repair crews were on the verge of restoring power when another flight of nine 'Kate' torpedo planes attacked. Eight of these aircraft were either shot down or failed to score hits, but the ninth scored a fatal hit on the starboard side. The torpedo hit destroyed the repairs to the electrical system and caused a 14° list. After being informed that Japanese surface forces were approaching and that further towing efforts were futile, Vice Admiral William Halsey ordered Hornet sunk, and an order of 'abandon ship' was issued. Captain Mason, the last man on board, climbed over the side, and the survivors were soon picked up by the escorting destroyers.^[5][12]

Hornet, sinking and abandoned

Vought OS2U Kingfisher on anti submarine duty Atlantic 19th July 1942
USS Hornet (CV-8) prepare to abandon ship during Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands 26th Oct 1942

American warships attempted to scuttle the stricken carrier, which absorbed nine torpedoes, many of which failed to explode, and more than 400 5-inch (127 mm) rounds from the destroyers Mustin and Anderson. The destroyers steamed away when a Japanese surface force entered the area. The Japanese destroyers Makigumo and Akigumo finally finished off Hornet with 4 24-inch (610 mm) Long Lance torpedoes. At 01:35 on 27 October, Hornet finally capsized to starboard and sank, stern first,^[28] with the loss of 140 of her 2,200 sailors. 21 aircraft went down with the ship.^[29][30][31]

Legacy

Hornet was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 13 January 1943.^[12] Her name was revived less than a year later when the newly constructed Essex-class aircraft carrier Kearsarge was commissioned as USS Hornet (CV-12).^[32] CV-8 is honored aboard her namesake, which is now the USS Hornet Museum docked in Alameda, California.

Hornet was the last American fleet carrier (CV) ever sunk by enemy fire, though the light carrier Princeton and a number of much smaller escort carriers were sunk in combat in other battles following Hornet's sinking.

Wreck discovery

In late January 2019, the research vessel Petrel located Hornet's wreck at more than 17,500 feet (5,300 m) deep off the Solomon Islands.^[33] The expedition team, largely funded by Paul Allen, aboard the Petrel, used information from the archives of nine other U.S. warships that saw the carrier shortly before she was sunk. One of two robotic vehicles aboard the Petrel found the Hornet during its first dive mission.^[29] The carrier lies upright on the ocean floor, with her signal bridge and a section of her stern that broke away coming to rest around her.

Awards

USS Hornet (CV-8) Awards"

Action No.	Operation/Action	Operation Period	Period of CV-8 Participation	Battle Stars Awarded	Notes
(1)	The Battle of Midway	3–6 June 1942	3 June 1942 – 6 June 1942	1	A Presidential Unit Citation was awarded for this battle to Torpedo Squadron 8 flying from USS Hornet CV-8
(2)	The Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid	5 October 1942	5 October 1942	1	-
(3)	The capture and defense of Guadalcanal	10 August 1942 – 8 February 1943	16 October 1942	1	-
(4)	The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands	26 October 1942	26 October 1942	1	USS Hornet CV-8 was sunk during this battle after being in service for a year and six days.
Total Battle Stars				4	-

 

American Defense Service Medal with 'Fleet' clasp

American Campaign Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars

World War II Victory Medal