![]() In the enigmatic ways of warfare, the attack by Torpedo Eight caused all of the Japanese fighters defending their aircraft carriers to descend to low altitude in their efforts to shoot down the American torpedo bombers. On 4 June, Rick’s gun turret was operated Seaman 2/c Jay D. Ernest, and Aviation Radioman 3/c Harry H. 00380), left to right, Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Basil Rick, Ensign Albert K. ![]() Navy) The crew of Grumman TBF-1 Avenger 8-T-1 (Bu. Gay, Jr., United States Navy, and radio operator/gunner ARM3c George Arthur Field, with their Douglas TBD-1 Devastator, Bu. The torpedo bombers failed to score any hits on the Japanese ships, and their machine guns did not bring down any of the Zeros. Ensign Earnest and Radioman Harry Hackett Ferrier, were the only survivors of the 18 men from the Midway detachment of VT-8. Gay, of the thirty pilots and gunners of Torpedo Eight who had launched from USS Hornet, survived. It was the only aircraft of Torpedo Eight to survive the Battle of Midway.¹ The torpedo bomber was able to return to Midway but crash-landed. The sixth, flown by Ensign Albert Kyle Earnest, was badly damaged and its gunner killed. Five were shot down by intercepting Zero fighters. Fieberling, also attacked the Japanese fleet. These six torpedo bombers, led by Lieutenant Langdon K. All fifteen TBDs were shot down.Ī detachment of VT-8, flying Grumman TBF-1 Avengers, had been sent ahead to Midway from Pearl Harbor. Without any fighter escort, the slow flying torpedo bombers were attacked by Japanese Navy A6M2 Type 0 fighters and defensive anti-aircraft fire from the warships. Waldron sighted the enemy fleet at a distance of 30 miles and ordered his squadron to attack. Waldron, Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) flew at low altitude toward the expected position of the attacking Japanese fleet, while the fighters escorted the dive bombers at high altitude. ![]() Lieutenant Commander John Charles Waldron, United States Navy. Navy photograph published in LIFE Magazine)Ĥ June 1942: At the Battle of Midway, beginning at 0702 hours, fifteen Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers were launched from the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) along with squadrons of Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers and Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters. The pilots of Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) aboard USS Hornet (CV-8) shortly before the Battle of Midway.
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