U.S. Pilot Scores a Direct Hit on Carrier Hiryu

During the battle of Midway, dive bomber Dusty Kleiss scored a direct hit on the Japanese carrier Hiryu by anticipating its next move: he aimed for where he thought it was going, rather than where it actually was.
From the Show: Battle of Midway: The True Story bit.ly/2Jl5D9t

[@Kyle-uu4mr]

He passed away in April of 2016 at 100 years old. RIP Dusty, and thank you for your incredible patriotic duty and preservation of the USA.

[@vonn4017]

passed...

[@whtbobwntsbobget]

Passed

[@wilsthelimit]

Kyle Don’t understand how his Dive Bomber flew off the carrier with those Balls of Steel

[@blue_rath2076]

Let's take a moment of silence for dusty...

[@chadrushing4685]

He didn't die he just went to instruct Angels how to fly.

[@khansarrows2245]

I met Dusty several times before he passed. He was unbelievably fun to listen to. He was humble, he spoke mostly of his friends who he never saw again, but when he spoke of his two carrier hits, his eyes would light up. That man was the rarest bird of all. Frankly I can't believe he survived the day.

[@stevemccarty6384]

Good for Dusty! A hard charger and the kind of guys we need!

[@PRR5406]

How many times have you met him since he died?

[@gloomsouls]

That's amazing you got to meet him.

[@loganayers7851]

Awesome story!

[@gloomsouls]

@Derrick King It isn't mate😂 I guess you would be the person to lie about something like that, but just because you would, doesn't mean everyone would. Some people actually want to share genuine stories and experiences.

[@WeeMacR6]

It’s hard to think my grandpa was on the Yorktown all those years ago and still survived.

[@kenhurley4441]

Wow, Yorktown, oh the stories. I don't think today that we would be that strong.

[@pdogone1]

had a great uncle on the Hornet who was badly burned at Santa Cruz..had to leave the navy... he was a radioman/gunner

[@butchyshoe]

@@kenhurley4441 sorry, but today, we are that strong. Of those that join many want to be in Combat units. That's what the Marine Corp is all about.

[@generalkenobi8374]

@@butchyshoe I think he’s just talking about all the young men today, not the ones in the marine corps. These men were drafted and if that happened today we definitely would not be as strong, seeing all the wussy boys and stuff and I know for a fact I would be scared to death of going to war. For me going into the draft isn’t far away so it’s a bit scary seeing the current circumstances and tension of the world right now.

[@philipgates988]

I think young men today would accept the challenge and excel.

[@wunkskorks2623]

This video made me realize that, I can’t remember the last time I spoke with a WW2 veteran. When I was young I remember everyone’s grandparents had some story to tell- now they’re gone. I’m glad someone out there is restoring and keeping these images and stories alive. Great video

[@deafmusician2]

I talked to an old man about a month ago that was a part of the post war atomic program. He was there for Castle Bravo and Able

[@ChemicalU235]

Sadly they are passing away more and more every day. In a few years there won't be any left

[@khansarrows2245]

I asked Dusty's daughter to consider sharing what she might like to. I'm waiting for her answer. She might...She is mighty proud of Dusty! Dusty's best friend on the Enterprise was a torpedo plane pilot named Tom Eversol. Dusty never saw Tom again after the first attack. He still spoke of Tom often all those years later. Maybe she will. In the meantime he published a book called "never call me a hero". I recently bought it on Audible to listen to...if you are interested.

[@JEGFL85]

Drag queen story hour now for this generation.

[@steveturansky9031]

I spoke with my best friends dad about 14 months ago (August or Sept 2022). He went into Normandy on the second day (much safer 2nd day) and was at the battle of the bulge. About 2 months later, my friend was diagnosed w/ colon cancer and died in April 2023 (64yo). His dad died 6 weeks later at 99yo. My dad was in the Army Air Force and was a B-24 Flight Eng/Top Gunner. He was shot down over Germany in April 44 and became a POW in Austria. He died 2016 at 93yo. Ten years before he died, my dad said everybody he knew, all his friends and family, have died.

[@ascetic3312]

Just so everyone's clear, they didn't have modern technology to target lock or have heat seeking missiles. He did this purely by sight while flying a speeds most humans will never reach. The target may look big, but it's not so big when you're way up in the sky. This is a very difficult feat to accomplish.

[@stevem2323]

Look big? From that hight it looks like friking toy.

[@carter8292]

nerd

[@tfranken1561]

D yea that's what they said "but it's not so big when you're way up in the sky" are you such a sad person that you can't even read the whole comment before you jump on them. I hope someday you get a life. The world could use less people like you.

[@derpynerdy6294]

Tbh when I saw both sides losses and scores the Japanese hit more bombs and torpedoes against the Americans Japanese pilots out of 10 can atlesst have 4-6 scores While Americans is either 2-4 but sometimes luck is not on your side when it comes to fog of war

[@johnrielley7756]

I guess technically most humans haven't flown on a modern airliner, but top speed of the Dauntless is 255 mph. Boeing 737 is about 520 mph.

[@EdgeofTimeProductions]

I couldn’t imagine being 17, 18, or 19 and operating these new war machines on the scale of WW2. After all, flight had only just been achieved 40 years earlier! Truly an amazing generation that makes me proud.

[@Page-Hendryx]

Well they wouldn't be that young.

[@franciscoguinledebarros4429]

@@Page-Hendryx well indeed airplane pilots no, but soldiers yes, maybe even other crew like gunners on tanks ships and planes

[@chuckperego2216]

My dad was 19 when he enlisted in the Coast Guard; 20 when he was sent to the South Pacific on the patrol frigate Bisbee (PF 46). They left San Pedro and sailed 26 days without navigational aids and hit the light at Noumea, New Guinea on the dot. Fought in engagements in New Guinea, Leyte Gulf and the Aleutians. Yes, sir, they were an amazing generation that should make us all proud.

[@franknowakowski3103]

@@chuckperego2216 Many of us were fresh out of HS during the Viet Nam war. The draft loomed over our heads so many simply enlisted.I was loading 500 and thousand pound bombs on F-105's when I turned 19 yoa.

[@TheFlyingZulu]

Flying is actually pretty easy... I'm a private pilot and I think it's simple. I think what's difficult about "operating" aircraft like this, in the modern age, is complying with all of the rules and regulations created by the Federal Aviation Administration and communicating with air traffic control.

[@mackbolin3861]

My Dad was a Navy gunner then a Prisoner of war for 3 yrs and survived the Battan Death March. My Dad 6 brothers also served in WWII and Korea and Vietnam along with my Moms 5 brothers in 3 campaigns in Army Navy Marine Corps. There all gone now but growing up it was Amazing to hear all they went thru and it made me Proud to join My Beloved Marine Corps right out of high school for 8yrs! Thank you to All My Brothers and Sisters for your service and Semper Fi! God bless America! How i miss them All 😢 😪

[@harrison00xXx]

Your family brought a lot of death, suffering and criminal power into innocent countries. congratulations.

[@jasondaniel918]

I remember seeing a televised interview with Dusty many years ago. Dusty said he needed something to focus on to be able to hit the target. "So I just aimed for that big meatball on the front." That is exactly where he struck the Japanese ship. Good shot, Dusty. Thank you for your courage.

[@Taospark]

Japan subscribed to the same school of thought as the British in giving their enemy a nice target.

[@StuartRyan-yi5ok]

This is an overlooked huge mistake Japan made out of hubris. They made too many at Midway. They assumed way too much.

[@sushiromifune7096]

Hiryu's commander believed they had defeated 2 US carriers. He couldn't imagine US repairing Yorktown so quickly at sea.

[@jackbui2944]

array s I thought Yorktown was bombed multiple time while the other 2 carriers of the fleet were safe and didn’t take any damage.

[@Booboobear-eo4es]

American carriers utilized nitrogen gas to flood the fire zones and quickly extinguish the flames. This greatly limited the damage and allowed quick repairs.

[@8Maduce50]

@@jackbui2944 thats correct the experience of the men from repairing both at sea from the battle of corral sea and during drydock repairs. This experience led them to repair Yorktown quickly while in the midst of the battle resulting in multiple strikes being wasted on one target. The Japanese not only thought they sunk two carriers but thought they could lure the fleet out into range of the Yamamoto, until their final carrier was wiped out.

[@KurtColville]

Kevin Yamato.

[@officialmregghead750]

array s Actually none of the aircraft carriers were sunk YET, though the Yorktown would eventually sink after.

[@austingx8295]

Japan: Yorktown is down, and sunk. Yorktown a few days later: KNOCK KNOCK IT’S THE UNITED STATES.

[@m1garandm155]

ya baby....freedown is hitting and hitting hard

[@DividedByZeero]

Japan sinks Yorktown, Lexington, and Hornet Yorktown, Lexington, and Hornet: IM BACK PREPARE TO DIE

[@seinifaith9512]

Yorktown and fletcher was an animal.

[@88werwolfhun88]

@@m1garandm155 Just like in Vietnam right? :D oh wait.

[@huanlecongquoc957]

Same thing happened with Enterprise So Japan nicknamed Enterprise as the Ghost Carrier because she keeps on “appearing” on battles

[@alexpearson7693]

My grandfather still alive at 96 was in the US navy during WW2. He has some pretty crazy stories that don’t come out often. Truly a great man and I’m lucky to still have him around.

[@snydedon9636]

Hope he still around for you and your family.

[@allenbok2411]

This is two years after your post. I hope he is still with us. Please , from the bottom of my heart, thank that man

[@jsimm4587]

Go see him have him talk not so much the bad but anything he’d share . You’ll not have him there one day to ask . My Dad was WW 2 Vet and very proud of his service and those who Serve !

[@youknow227]

Is he still around?

[@GuySmiley]

As I get older, it's kind of sad and sobering to see the decreasing amount of first hand accounts on these war shows. When I was little I remember them always having actual first hand accounts and interviews from people on the ship, the pilots, the soldiers, now I'm noticing a lot of historians telling the stories.

[@galexymitzelplik9560]

It's their time to rest now. Sad indeed. Their bravery is beyond this world.

[@acousticshadow4032]

Look on the bright side - when you were "little", there was no KZbin offering all these historical accounts.

[@ToyKingWonder]

My uncles were all in WW2. My uncle Ted was not. just on one ship that sunk, but the second ship he was on board got hit, almost sunk, and people were incinerated on the flight deck. My other uncle was in the following group after Patton went up through Italy, and lost a lot of friends. My dad would order in air strikes on the radio against the North Koreans. All brave men, all gone.

[@retiredyeti5555]

My dad, and most of my uncles, were in WW2. One of my uncles was at Pearl Harbor. They all survived, and all of them are now dead, the last one about 4 years ago. Only Uncle Don survives and he was still a kid at that time, and served after Korea and before Vietnam. I served during Vietnam, from 61 - 65.

[@kenkur27]

Fortunately many interviews with these veterans (even a few from the Civil War) were saved for posterity on film or video.

[@spaceiscool1236]

RIP to all the soldiers who lost their lives in this battle

[@carstenhansen5757]

To all soldiers and people that fight for freedom, for themselves and others.

[@maxmoritz5065]

@@carstenhansen5757 what you mean ?

[@gasgiant7122]

To think many of them are never to be found😥

[@flukeman022]

@@maxmoritz5065 anyone fights injustice to free the world from tyranny.

[@maxmoritz5065]

@@flukeman022 anyone? Japanese ,germans russians chinese and allied forces?

[@someoneelse.2252]

Such brave young men.

[@GunnerHeatFire]

Yup

[@arbCannons3395]

Seriously. Hopefully war will one day be something only in video games, movies, and history books

[@DonaldDump2024]

Yes, but still very sad that man cannot settle differences without death and destruction. Will we ever learn how?

[@ebenclukey7293]

@@DonaldDump2024 No Craig. We won't. The best we can do is swiftly remove any threat.

[@deibama]

What would happen today using the same weapons?

[@pleasegrowabrain]

"what did you say?... I can't Hiryu...."

[@tripakastayw6872]

What? I cant hir

[@azoverdosed]

nice one

[@zenexhd5855]

cool

[@starfighter1043]

York know what I'm town about...."you know what I'm talking bout" lol Yours was op..u tried it didn't compete bit still had to say it for the Yorktown

[@susanurban5920]

Thank you, Dusty! You and your guys fought a long, courageous battle. I appreciate the sacrifices and bravery of every man in that battle. These were true American patriots who could not wait to get back in their plane to fight. They were not going to give up and I thank them for that.

[@blaisepascal5197]

Thank the code breakers at Pearl, They set the whole battle into motion

[@11C1P]

We owe so much to those guys, it can't even be put into words.

[@briangleason5597]

AMEN

[@madmilk2753]

no u old man, most of us weren't born yet! and in the name of Anime, Japan should've won!!!!!!!!!

[@butternotsquash729]

@@madmilk2753 please tell me you’re being ironic

[@susanurban5920]

We’ll never have men braver than that. They were the greatest generation of American patriots the United States has ever produced.

[@df5295]

They were a tough generation! They survived the Depression only to end up fighting in the biggest war in history!

[@alihasanabdullah7586]

Flying out of the sun to make the rising sun of japan set, such irony.

[@bighands69]

Some of them used the Japanese flag as a target.

[@killagamez4619]

Exactly what i was thinking

[@TS-ef2gv]

Later in the war, P-51's based on newly captured Iwo Jima and flying all the way to the Japanese home islands called themselves "The Sun Setters".

[@michaelvrede8814]

🇯🇵

[@stevek8829]

@@bighands69 it was the meatball painted on deck, professor.

[@sdebeaubien]

Dusty was indeed a humble man. He's the only pilot to have scored hits on 3 different ships in the same battle (Midway). He got a hit on the Heavy Cruiser Mikuma the next day (June 5) - and she sank too. His war was over. He was a hero, awarded the Navy Cross (Navy's highest award for valor). He then became an instructor, and helped win the war by training other pilots to emulate his "Adjust while diving" technique. He didn't speak much about the war for the first 40 or so years after, finally wrote down what he did in a book called: "Never Call Me a Hero", that was ultimately published after he died at the age of 100. I bought the book and read it last year. Incredible story.

[@normanacree1635]

One critique of Dusty is that he said luck had nothing to do with winning the battle, alluding, I assume, to the timing and how so many Japanese planes were caught between a rock and a hard place as they were loading their planes. I can't understand why he didn't acknowledge this aspect being one of the reasons we won the battle. I would have been thankful it contributed to the battle since it meant fewer losses even if we would have eventually won.

[@sdebeaubien]

@@normanacree1635 - There was also the "Fog or War" aspect, given that Admiral Nagumo initially was going to load his planes in the 2nd Strike with another round of ground attack ordinance, and then changed his mind half way through the loading when he discovered the American fleet was off the Northwest of Midway. The timing of the launch of the American strike is due mainly to Admiral Spruance, more than anything else, as he pretty much knew the Japanese fleet had to be where he suspected / expected it to be. Gordon Prange wrote that Pearl Harbor was our greatest intelligence failure (or at least one of them, the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardenne Forest in 1944 being another tremendous failure of intelligence), and that the Battle of Midway was then a "Miracle" or a tremendous coup for the Naval Intelligence folks. Battles are won and lost for many reasons. Like sports, the side that wins, is often the one that makes fewer mistakes. Determination, training, courage and skill all come into play though too, and I think Dusty deserves his just rewards as a hero for those reasons alone.

[@roberthudson1959]

The United States Navy's highest award for valor is the Medal of Honor. In fact, the Navy was authorized to award the Medal before the Army was authorized to award its version.

[@apooyosucks]

Holy moly, the video restoration is gorgeous! Respect to the U.S. Navy and her pilots for their heroic actions 80 years ago.

[@stephenpettegrew438]

Dusty Kleiss is from my hometown… Coffeyville Kansas, very proud of this warrior… Well done Dusty

[@gavriloprincip9634]

People Live in Kansas

[@evanray8413]

@@gavriloprincip9634 Aren't you the guy that started WW1?

[@gavriloprincip9634]

@@evanray8413 Yea Evan

[@evanray8413]

@@gavriloprincip9634 Glad to see you are still in good health after all this time. lol.

[@matthewerwin4677]

I've been living in Coffeyville for a year. Is Dusty buried here?

[@hansg6336]

These naval aviators had serious cajones going into a high speed dive with AA blazing away at you from an enemy carrier. From interviews, they sound mostly matter of fact, just doing a job they were trained for and eager to carry out. The torpedo bomber crews that launched earlier knew their odds of surviving were slim, but they went anyway- knights of the sky. Luckily, the Japanese didn't have their kamakaze program in full swing during Midway- it's hard to stop a squadron of pilots who have no intention of pulling out of a dive.

[@slartibartfastm9714]

You mean "cojones"?

[@MrMotobob]

hans

[@partygrove5321]

The torpedo bombers should have had fighter escorts and coordinated their attacks with the dive bombers, but all the different planes got split up

[@theloneranger8725]

The kamikaze attacks occurred late in the war. Little known fact: By that time, England had sent several of their carriers to the Pacific theater to assist the U.S. against Japan. Although the kamikaze attacks were devastating to the American carriers, which had primarily wooden decks, they had almost no effect against the British carriers. The difference? British carriers had armored steel decks, which were essentially undamaged by the Japanese planes.

[@redrock3109]

@@theloneranger8725 America used wooden decks to increases speed. Plus we could build ships like nothing seen before or since in history.

[@jameshunter5485]

My Uncle Stuart was on the Yorktown at Midway. He was recovered injured out of the water and spent six months in the Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor recovering. To say Midway was a turning point in the war in the Pacific would be an understatement. The strategic brilliance of Chester Nimitz, the tactical brilliance of Raymond Spruance and the heroism and sacrifice of the pilots and crews of the task force should never be forgotten. Oh yes, one more hero, the Douglas Dauntless dive bomber.

[@seanohare5488]

Agree well said

[@zackcantrell9689]

I am a Navy vet and it makes me proud that I was in that same Navy that these heros were in. Go Navy

[@blaisepascal5197]

They are a tough act to follow.

[@mayamanign]

WWII was a war of information. Without our codebreakers we would have lost the battle of Midway.

[@scarlettmanson712]

Codetalkers*

[@Ling__Ling__]

Both code breakers and code talkers

[@cgaccount3669]

Speculation. We can't know what would happen

[@mayamanign]

CG Account Not really. The Japanese Navy at this point was at the height of their power. The element of surprise would have granted them the day. The fact that they were caught changing ordinance and waffling cost them the battle. All through WWII we knew pretty much what the Germans and Japanese were up to because we had cracked their codes. If you think this is trivial I can’t take anything you say seriously. All things being equal the ones with the better intelligence will be victorious.

[@Prolificposter]

Code talkers had nothing to do with Midway, code breakers did. Code talkers served with the Marines mostly during the island hopping campaign and were vitally important in helping win land battles.

[@oscargrouch7962]

Dusty Kleiss's book is titled 'Never Call Me A Hero'.

[@DJackson531]

Written by Tim Orr and Laura Lawfer, who interviewed extensively with Dusty while writing it. Yes, those two folks you see in the video. :)

[@Donik0420]

Thank you. Soon as I'm finished with Race of Aces, I'm going to star this one. :)

[@martinmiller1087]

It's a very good read. The County I live in has a monthly veterans book discussion group. Dusty's biography was a selection. ... I found it very interesting what Dusty had to say about Wade McClusky, the widely acclaimed hero of the Battle of Midway. I won't spoil it by telling you, but it's well worth reading it for yourself. ... Dusty's description of his personal encounter with Admiral Nimitz and how just the man's nonverbal presence truly inspired and motivated him, is well worth the reading. ... I thoroughly enjoyed the film Midway, released last year. I liked it enough to see it 6 or 7 times. However, as the film concentrated on the flight crews and pilots of the Enterprise, it was somewhat disappointing to me that Dusty Kleiss was neither portrayed, nor mentioned in the film. ... The title of Gordon Prange's book, 'Miracle At Midway' alludes to his belief that Divine Intervention was involved with the IJN defeat at Midway. If you study the myriad details and incidents that came together to give our nation the victory over the Kido Butai at Midway, which we desperately needed just 6 months after Pearl Harbor, it was indeed miraculous. It may very well have been Divine Intervention. ... Dusty Kleiss was an incredible pilot and a very brave man. I faced our nation's enemies on the field of battle, rifle in hand in the Vietnamese jungle in 1968. I know a hero when I see one. Dusty Kleiss is one of our nation's greatest heroes. ... God Speed Dusty

[@tracyupshaw7862]

Thanks for the info!! I’ll be reading that next!

[@wiscon60joe8]

This book is a great read on the Battle of Midway. But when I picked it up I thought at first it was fictionalized, because none of the dozens of Midway accounts I'd read before it had ever mentioned Dusty Kleiss. After reading this, I understand why--he was a humble man whose bravery and amazing contributions were kept only in his diaries and notes nearly until his death in 2016. But late or not, I'm glad we can honor him and those who fought with him.

[@gtoycoma]

Flying a dive bomber then, compared to today, doing everything manually. Quite a feat of skill. Bravo, Dusty!

[@davidh6300]

I admire their resilience, persistence and courage.

[@evancortez2]

This is why they're called THE GREATEST GENERATION

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Yep - Nam vets got demonized and crapped on ... even by your "greatest generation" .

[@vnkable]

Why? Because they were involved in a world war?

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

@vnkable - Take a guess how many of those "greatest generation War Heroes " never left the U.S.

[@Radke32]

Because they call themselves "The Greatest Generation"

[@makrockatansky7585]

Today is Tiktok generation.

[@donnergrober179]

That's some high-quality footage right there. Your service will be remembered, Dusty!

[@ffdrew271]

I've walked on the deck of the USS Yorktown. It's currently sitting at anchor in Charleston, SC, and is a full on museum.

[@paulheenan9098]

That's not the Yorktown that was involved in Midway. She lies 16,000 feet down at the bottom of the Pacific, sunk by a Japanese sub while under repair 3 days after the battle. CV-10 of the "Essex" class, initially to have been named Bonhomme Richard, was renamed in her honour during construction.

[@robertyoung3992]

CV-5 was Midway

[@Ulyssestnt]

Its amazing they were even able to take off with those balls.

[@Daniellihomes]

🤣🤣🤣

[@dylanwhite7881]

Underrated comment

[@johnathondupuis1301]

I know it probably wasn't as dramatic as the Midway movie, but no doubt whatsoever. Imagine flying almost straight down into a barrage of anti air fire, all the while praying you don't get hit before you can release your bomb. Then avoiding zeros trying to get home. The bravery of those men is something that's hard for me to even fathom.

[@4waifuproductions]

@@johnathondupuis1301 dramatic probably not, however extraordinarily stressful would be more accurate.

[@AdamBechtol]

:)

[@dennisvance4004]

American aircraft carriers could sustain and recover from damage that would destroy Japanese carriers. The Japanese thought the Yorktown had been sunk in the battle of the Coral Sea; they thought they had sunk it on day one of the battle at Midway, then thought when they attacked it the second day it was another carrier and, again, They thought they had sunk it. They never did; it was sunk by a Japanese submarine while the Yorktown was under repair from the 3rd attack. The Japanese expended their limited resources thinking they had sunk 4 US aircraft carriers when they had sunk only one. Between the battle of the coral sea in the battle of Midway the Japanese lost carriers and experienced pilots they would never replace.

[@thomaspridmore106]

Amazing sea battle

[@hootarosetagaya5570]

The first plastic model I bought as a kid was Hiryu, a carrier. The second one was Yamato, a battle ship. From Tokyo.

[@yoseipilot]

Lexington was sunk in Coral Sea and Zuikako was undamaged but heavy loss of Air Crew, the Japanese already knew there is one floating Carrier and they retreat.

[@donkoltz1]

I've seen convincing arguments that the damage control procedures and competence of the U.S. and Japan were similar at the time, however the crews of these Japanese carriers had yet to fully receive that training. Also, the configuration of the Japanese carriers at the time they were attacked was such that they were a ticking time bomb. For example the hangar deck just below the flight deck was filled with fully fueled planes awaiting their sorties. The planes in the hangar had just had their bombs removed in favor of torpedoes. Said bombs were not put back in the carrier's magazines, but were placed wherever the crews could find room throughout the hangar deck. It was a tinder box.

[@Avtarangel]

Enterprise's title of 'Grey Ghost' came from the Japanese thinking that they'd sunk the carrier on at least four occasions

[@thomasmoje5926]

And that he accomplished that while flying through a hail of anti-aircraft fire at a rapidly moving target..that's bravery and a hero in my book.

[@4seeableTV]

Dusty Kleiss lived to the ripe old age of 100. Well done, sir!

[@LakerChava63]

Spoke with a WW2 carrier (cannot recall the name of his carrier) pilot back at an air show at Randolph Air Force near San Antonio, Tx. Probably about 20 years ago. It was amazing that nobody was sitting with him and talking to him which is what he was there for. In any event, I grabbed a soda and sat down with him for about 40 minutes. Here I was sitting with an American Icon and he loved all the questions I asked him. I still remember him telling me, "Good questions son. Keep it going, not many of us left" I took it as a 'Thank you for not forgetting us". They're all just about gone. I am glad I was able to speak with him and to be honest with y'all...brings a lump to my throat that although so many remember their bravery and sacrifice, they're still that many that totally forgot about them. Glad I am not part of the latter. God bless that AMAZING generation and God bless that Pilot I spoke with. I am sure the Lord has him home by now.... God bless....

[@snilloc52]

This is the true definition of Hero.

[@willdill7253]

Yes killing hundreds of people is very heroic

[@tdurden9532]

😂

[@lordfoxgamingyt5579]

@Jerry_ L. prove it talking about the atomic bombs being pointless

[@MrAndrew1953]

Absolutely incredible effort. The Chinese think they can beat that? Seriously not a hope!

[@CloudyNimitz]

@Jerry_ L. Ah yes, I seemed to forget the part of WWII where they were using atomic bombs as a normal armament, not as a last resort to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers who would've lost their lives trying to conquer the imperialist giant Japan (and I forgot the part where Japan would've laid down and surrendered even though they preferred death before dishonor.) Read up on your history buddy, the atomic bombs were a tragedy yes, but they sacrificed a few thousand lives to ultimately save hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions. Also consider the fact that Hiroshima and Nagasaki showed the world the power of the atom and that is why today, we, as a collection of nations on this Earth, fear nuclear war. If they hadn't dropped those bombs on Japan, do you think the cold war would've ended peacefully? Because that entire event was two world leaders holding their fingers over big red buttons. If those bombs weren't dropped over Japan, would those two world leaders in the cold war truly know what he cost of pushing that button would be? No, they wouldn't. And we would all cease to exist after 1980. Again, I agree with the fact that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were horrible, horrible events. But try to realize why they happened, and what the reaction did to set off a chain of events throughout time that formed the world we know today.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Yes, RIP, Dusty. You helped to make the USA what it is today. Thank you and all WWII vets. USMC - '69 - '73; Vietnam - '71 - '72.

[@Rena2star]

It's so disheartening to know that the last veterans of WWII are near the end of their lives. My great Uncle passed away just about a month ago, the last WWII vet in my family. We never spoke of his service, as he rarely spoke to anyone about it. He was a rear gunner with the RCAF on a Lancaster Bomber. I do not know much but I know he lost many dear friends high in those skies. May those who fought and died, and may those who fought and lived who are no longer with us, forever rest peacefully. We owe them so much.

[@AYVYN]

These men literally changed the tide of history; yet, remained humble. This is absolute power, and it did not corrupt absolutely.

[@nethandelwampa116]

Simply incredible sacrifice by amazing American hero's, every single service member had a roll to play no matter how small. I was on a funeral detail in the Navy for several WWII veterans folding the flag that they were brought to their final resting place with was the most sobering important lesson of my life. Semper Fortis shipmate

[@moby1kanob]

USA lost a LOT of planes this day...the Zeros took down wave after wave of US planes and then the USA finally broke through. Losses were tough on both sides.

[@huanlecongquoc957]

I mean when it got to the point that the 3 carriers have no torpedo bombers and have to use only dive bombers so yeah

[@RaymondTusk74]

Japanese lost 248 and US lost 150. It was a disaster for the Japanese.

[@huanlecongquoc957]

youvegotsmail That contributes to the fact that some Japanese plane blew up on their deck when the Americans attacked

[@jonathancooper4914]

Those lads were so brave.

[@huanlecongquoc957]

Michael F. Tommey That contributes to the fact that the Japanese are not prepared for that attack like how the McClusky squadron attacked

[@joetrucker39]

what a great generation....so few left, thank you Dusty may you rest in Pease, I lost a good friend a few years back who also a NAVY pilot he was a great source of soon to be lost history, they all will be missed, again thank you for your service

[@robschannel4512]

Everyone was chomping at the bit to go fight. That is a bold statement. God bless them.

[@Dezeberbro]

This is the type of courage & dedication this new generation needs.

[@lw216316]

that generation mostly grew up on farms leaning hard work , had mamas that prayed and dads that executed discipline - they were mature at a young age - In the military today the Chaplain is not allowed to pray in the name of Jesus and if you discipline your child they will take away the child and put you in jail.

[@stevenbender66]

Thank you Dusty. A true American hero. Let us never forget.

[@brianjones7660]

Was at the Air & Space Museum in DC a few years back. They have a walk through mockup of the hangar deck of the Yorktown that is to be seen to be believed...awesome day!

[@altongrimes]

My dad was CO of the Ranger, CVA 61 during Vietnam war. When I ask him about the kind of men who flew those sorties, he said: "fearless".

[@JedForge]

My dad served on the Ranger in late 60's until moved to the Hancock in early 70's

[@rogeranderson8763]

Only crazy people are fearless....the trick is to stay functional whilst yer are scared shitless. -Veteran '66-68

[@subterfusion4005]

My grandfather served on the WW2 Ranger. And the Belleau Wood.

[@MuckSpreader99]

I had a visit to the Ranger around 1973/74 whilst I was living in Hong Kong. Large ship...

[@majorintherepublick5862]

That’s why they will be remembered as ‘the greatest generation’ awesome resilience and drive to defend their country, honor, and admiration!!

[@stephenhosking7384]

Yes! Every time I think of Midway I think of both the crushing final attack by the dive bombers, but also the near suicidal attacks of the earlier bombers which set up it that attack. These young men pursued an attack which had little chance of success against insuperable odds, and which could only lead to their death in a few minutes. But they did their job, and without even an consolation the rest of the battle would not be the same.

[@danielanthony8373]

Incredible bravery Go Dusty !!! The heros were the ones who didn't come home An enormous thanks to those men

[@frogstamper]

What a great airman, a true American hero...much love and respect from the UK.

[@paulheenan9098]

The Yorktown's crew actually repaired the damage sustained so effectively, that when the Japanese (who believed that they had sunk her at Coral Sea) returned to finish her off, they thought she was a completely different and undamaged vessel. Indeed, she survived the battle and was being repaired for the limp back home when she was sunk by a Japanese sub that sneaked through the protective destroyer screen.

[@titan133760]

And even then, she didn't sink until the next day

[@davidmcfarling8692]

The pilots that flew from our carriers that day , dive bomber, torpedo bomber and fighter were the best and bravest we ever produced. God keep them well.

[@stevemccarty6384]

You know when I recall those days, I don't remember particularily afraid. We walked out to our airplanes thinking about our mission. After we launched and joined up we thought about what we had to do. If some guys took hits we didn't think about it until we got home and even then we didn't ponder our losses until later.

[@upperleftcoastchelseafan7718]

Saw a few documentaries that had Dusty doing some narration, what a guy! How brave were those Devastator pilots? Knowing they were pretty much cannon fodder yet they flew their mission to the end!

[@aleccrombie7923]

Thank you from the UK. These hero's did the impossible. Who would take a bet at the start of the day, that ALL 4carriers would be finished? Not just the carriers but the pilots as well!

[@XFerginatorX]

Hiryu: Yorktown has been hit multiple times, we won. Yorktown: Hey Hiryu, I didn't hear no bell.

[@ChefOkBaby]

Wow

[@eleethtahgra7182]

All it took was for a bomb to properly hit the ship. And thats the easy part. The hard part is to get the bomb to hit the ship.

[@johnmartlew5897]

Eleeth Tahgra ...so ...... what your saying is..... the easy part is the hard part if you get the hard part after the easy part gets done if you get the hard part? Or is the hard part easier than the easy part, as long as the easy part isn’t too hard? Could you clarify?

[@jonathanbastard4629]

@@johnmartlew5897 yesn't

[@ramonraizo9844]

Nicolas Cage face: you don't say

[@nitsu2947]

Don't forget you're also under fire

[@gggaming4tg]

It was because the decks were loaded with bombs, fuel, and torpedoes littered around You literally only need to land one hit and boom, gone

[@myvideos2715]

The Battle of Midway. The pinnacle of America's defensive war in the Pacific, and the commencement of America's offensive war in the Pacific. The turnaround was only seven months.

[@robertyoung3992]

6

[@MacDaddyRico]

The U.S.S. Midway, now a museum in San Diego, was my Duty Station from 1978-1980 in Yokosuka, Japan...Proud to have served on a ship named after the turning point of WWII... As an Interior Communications Electrician, my equipment was in every manned space from forward to aft, from port to starboard and from the bilges to the mast...and some unmanned spaces as well...which enabled me to learn the entire ship... The engineering back then was awe inspiring...

[@normanvincentkong7695]

My Hero Dusty his Daredevilish act and Courage had greatly turned the tide of war in the Pacific in America's favor..God bless his soul.

[@enadevanz8281]

Amazing airmanship! The battle of Midway turns the tide of war in the pacific. Salute

[@1pcfred]

I'd give the tide turning to the Battle of the Coral Sea.

[@sander6438]

Its not the full turning point midway is more the end of the growth of the japanse empire

[@kelvinmarshall9108]

We should never forget ..how brave these guys were ..

[@drewby613]

He dropped his bomb at 1500 feet, and THEN started to pull out of his dive. That's less than a third of a mile, then his plane begins to respond. COMMITMENT!!!

[@ut000bs]

When I was a kid I lived next door to the man who got the second torpedo hit on the Yamato.

[@StratofortressB52]

@@kingcobra7183 bro what’s that for ?

[@Shanoyu19271]

@@kingcobra7183 I don't see any opinions here bud

[@Lalasfritas]

@@kingcobra7183 Okay and? Your ego is irrelevant

[@johnemerson1363]

The man who taught me to hunt birds was a rifleman on Iwo Jima. I didn't know that for 25 years. When I found out, he still wouldn't talk about it. Your pilot had to be proud of himself. Hold him in high esteem.

[@auzziguy449]

​@@johnemerson1363 if I shot a soldier or especially bombed a whole ship I'd be at least superstitious and concerned about bad karma. Don't trust those who brag, it's almost better if they lie about being a hero then boast about it.

[@WeGoWalk]

My father was a fireman on the USS Louisville. The ship was hit by a Kamikaze that killed 27 of its radio men, so it limped back to Pearl Harbor for repairs in dry dock and refitting of armament. My father survived the war. He enlisted at age 17, left high school to fight. Though his ship was not in this particular battle portrayed here in this video, it reverberated with me so strongly, just to think of what all my father went through at such a young age...and to have survived WWII. He is still alive, at age 95. He is my hero; a truly brave and strong man.

[@ruffian2952]

You are fortunate to still have him. My dad on Enterprise CV-6. He would be 108 now. Enlisted at 29 was oldest sailor on her excepting senior officers. Shipmates called him "Pops" Loved his ship and her crew.

[@bonniekeough244]

Dusty was in the zone!!

[@Name-ps9fx]

He was in the...HIGHWAY TO THE DANGER ZONE!!!! 👍🏼😬🔥

[@willsjaime]

Legend! Thank you Dusty and all of you amazing men who saved the world through your bravery.

[@stargod3064]

I try to imagine being there in color. Must have been quite a view to behold.

[@brianjones7660]

imagine being the one torpedo bomber crewman who survived his shooting down and was afloat in the middle of the attack...saw it all and was rescued a day later...

[@steviesevieria1868]

@@brianjones7660 whoosh

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

Japan: [ambushes US] US: [Uno reverse card] Japan: 😨

[@Lincento53]

Made me lol

[@anthonyjohnadlington]

@@Lincento53 Me 2 that's a good one

[@gorillaump5869]

I knew the old wore out uno reverse comment was here somewhere.

[@hereLiesThisTroper]

Imperial Japan: BANZAI!!! Modern Japan: HENTAI!!!

[@vincezockt127]

Nuuuuuuuuuu Not this Side of the Internet

[@henniquint6833]

DeadTroperSociety What has to do with it? Google my friend, Google

[@sasabo1962]

Japanese do not never say it from japan. We fight corona virus now. It is mid-way.　But we can became a final victory.

[@antoniomontana5778]

@@sasabo1962 you're not making any sense!!

[@osamabinladen824]

@@antoniomontana5778 Yup. Hahahaha

[@infoscholar5221]

Shout out brother Dusty RIP man, you had what it took, when it counted. This country will honor you always.

[@WogueCompanySniper]

My grandpas friends dad was at the Battle of the Pacific. He was aboard the carrier Yorktown which was hit and sunk. He was a radioman and was shot down over the pacific. his life raft popped up and he lived in it for 14 days before he landed on some islands where he lived with the natives and was rventually rescued

[@ghostwriter4618]

According to Dusty, "I put it just inside the red dot at the top of the bow. The whole front of that carrier rolled back like a taco and made that flight deck useless."

[@antonioacevedo5200]

Those words start the adrenaline pumping. God bless his soul.

[@nadus7775]

When you ambush an ambush 👍

[@MrOiram46]

When you pull out the uno reverse card

[@shindrithargriethrat8408]

@JAG Bingo. Chalk this one up to the breaking of the Japanese "Purple" communications code. The Japanese were destined to fail the moment they set out on this mission, because the element of surprise was gone.

[@blingbling574]

That’s recon in the army.

[@trxrr7301]

@@shindrithargriethrat8408 thanks for the facts :)

[@61astokman]

Thank you dusty for your great service. We need brave men and women like you now to stand up and save America from the enemy within.

[@TheRabbitHasLanded]

and my generation has the audacity, the nerve to think they are the greatest generation. Amazing feats these people did.

[@jazz_daddy2517]

The generation who fought in WW2 and survived the depression were literally called “The Greatest Generation”

[@VersusARCH]

0:08 - This is the footage of the Japanese carrier Zuikaku taken in 1944.

[@doge8430]

Oof

[@asovietplaytpus5828]

BIG OOF

[@hermanwooster8944]

"Three bombs hit the Yorktown" *shows torpedo plane*

[@blogdosaulo]

3 bombs and 2 torpedos.

[@thegadflygang5381]

Kudos to Dusty. Not only for his aerial abilities but for using correctly "CHAMPING" not "CHOMPING AT THE BIT"

[@bobg6638]

“I’m afraid all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve” -Admiral Yamamoto after Pearl Harbor

[@KeiwaM]

He's not wrong. Japan was destined to lose the war. There was absolutely no way they could force the US in to surrender. Perhaps a peace treaty, but the goal of beating them in to a surrender was never gonna work and Yamamoto knew that. But the Emperor's word is law. It also didn't help that the Pearl Harbor attack really wasn't that effective.

[@redrock3109]

We had the ability and the will to win in those days. Don't believe we do now.

[@johnemerson1363]

@@KeiwaM You are right. Pearl Harbor was a brilliant tactical victory the evening of 7 December 1941. It was a fatal strategic defeat after dawn on 9 December 1941 when Enterprise and her escorts had refueled, rearmed, reprovisioned, and had disappeared over the horizon on her first war patrol.

[@turdferguson3803]

That quote is completely fake lol

[@jamesmiles1456]

Looks like he hit right on that big red target they painted on the deck! good shot!

[@solmanthe1st835]

Hey! That's our emblem you know!

[@shinkreytpuylap]

@@solmanthe1st835 Yes And it has turned into a joke :)

[@fourtysevennn]

Very good shot indeed, although Dusty was 1 out 4 people to hit the Hiryu! He was the last one to drop the bomb on her

[@L.P.1987]

RIP to all the axis and allied military who died in the battle of Midway.

[@dltmdwnfkdldjs]

nop. cant put axis on same level to allied

[@thombeumee6033]

Sure u can not all germans were down with invading half the world

[@if131]

@@dltmdwnfkdldjs if you cant you need to grow up.

[@tommo258]

@@fastdude2002 I assume he saw axis and read German, think we all know there were no Germans there

[@henniquint6833]

dltmdwnfkdldjs Both Axis and Allies are Bad Guys

[@Caneyhead123]

The quality of the torpedos at that point in the war were a true tragedy

[@bagochips1208]

2:15 Dusty knows where he is at all times. he knows this because it knows where he isn't. By subtracting where he is from where it isn't, or where he isn't from where he is (whichever is greater), he obtains a difference, or deviation. Dusty uses deviations to generate corrective commands to drive the plane from a position where it is to a position where it isn't, and arriving at a position where it wasn't, it now is. Consequently, the position where it is, is now the position that it wasn't, and it follows that the position that it was, is now the position that it isn't. In the event that the position that it is in is not the position that it wasn't, Dusty has acquired a variation, the variation being the difference between where the missile is, and where it wasn't. If variation is considered to be a significant factor, it too may be corrected by the GEA. However, Dusty must also know where it was. The bombing run scenario works as follows. Because a variation has modified some of the information Dusty has obtained, he is not sure just where the target will be. However, he is sure where it isn't, within reason, and he knows where it was. he now subtracts where it should be from where it wasn't, or vice-versa, and by differentiating this from the algebraic sum of where it shouldn't be, and where it was, he is able to obtain the deviation and its variation, and land the bomb on the turning Hiryu.

[@aaeve5676]

TL:DR He predicted the position of the Hiryu when he dropped his bomb based on its rotation and speed.

[@penginpunkin1487]

Japan: *blows up some ships in pearl harbor* America: so, you have chosen death? Japan a few years later: THEY DROPPED THE SUN ON US, *TWICE*

[@crocodiledundee8141]

Are you proud by killing babies and mothers? That's a cowardly way to fight.

[@Alan-rb2rx]

Although I don't think war or its effects are anything to be boasting over, I do feel we have a tendency to fail to put ourselves in historical context. I completely understand why America used the atomic bombs. And, incidentally, part of the decision to do so was borne out of the horrendous losses in Iwo Jima and the other islands. It was clear that the Japanese were going to fight tooth and nail, which was calculated to result in far fewer casualties. That they were "babies and mothers" is, frankly, somewhat irrelevant. Countries fight wars, and Japan was at war with the Allies, pure and simple. To expect that America would not use a weapon that would force a surrender is fairly naive, even today. To blame her for that decision is to ignore the historical context of the war. Just a few years earlier, that same adversary opened fire on an American military base, inflicting critical damage. I'm pretty sure there was not a lot of sympathy for the Japanese power structure within America or, for that matter, within Australia, which is where you likely reside. Cowardice was not a factor and, in my humble opinion, is completely missing the mark. For what it is worth, the only reason Australia is likely free today is that America entered a conflict that was coming to Australia's front doorstep. That isn't a dig on Australia, by any means. But England had her own problems, and who else was going to help defend Australia?

[@user-qr2gd7me6c]

@@crocodiledundee8141 The US dropped millions of printed flyers in Japanese on cities all over Japan, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki, warning residents to flee from the city to avoid being killed. I spoke with an old US Navy veteran back in the 90s who described the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a "ferocious kindness". As Alan says below, Japan intended to fight til the end to protect their main islands, even more than they had fought for the small islands. If the US and allies had had to invade the main islands, the casualties on both sides would have been higher.

[@tymcfadden8496]

@@crocodiledundee8141 while the loss of life, around 2-300 thousand by some estimates, sickens me, the loss of more than a million via an invasion on the ground, would have been worse. dude, they started it, they, in a COWARDLY sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, brought on themselves the inevitable destruction of two of their cities.

[@shirghazaycowboys]

@@crocodiledundee8141 I hope you don't think a land invasion would've gone any cleaner.

[@MRrealmadridRaul]

I'm still waiting for part 2 of "Montemayor's" video "The Battle of Midway 1942: Told from the Japanese Perspective."

[@davidb6576]

You, and me, and thousands of others!

[@tharengore7215]

You get a little in the movie but something like Tora Tora Tora or Letters from Iwa Jima be good as well.

[@JohnDoe-wd4ij]

Omg me too part 1 was FANTASTIC, I’ve listened to it at least a dozen times

[@Sshooter444]

Same here

[@fatherthomas1575]

There still dredging the ocean floor looking for someone to interview...

[@alleeclark3389]

I hold a PPL and have a few spin recovery maneuvers logged. One of my favorite maneuvers is emergency decents through tiny holes in the cloud deck. Only mentioning the above, as it most certainly affords me a great deal of respect and appreciation for Dusty's quick thinking and execution. RIP Dusty.🙏🇺🇸💪

[@FlyEaglesFly19111]

Godspeed Dusty.. Thank you for your service.

[@dontask7657]

The rising sun's ship was destroyed by the setting sun. Really, The hiryu was hit at 5pm!

[@YARROWS9]

The US Navy and Royal Navy started slowly in the War, and then reorganised to gain final victory against Japan, Germany and Italy.

[@lowe_sa2976]

Yes the Great and almighty German fleet... xD

[@YARROWS9]

@@lowe_sa2976 The combined German, Vichy French and Italian fleet was more than a match for the Royal Navy. But the Royal Navy beat them all.

[@scottouellette9411]

The Russians did a huge part killing over 5million Germans Italians and Japanese soldiers in less than 4yrs.

[@coleparker]

@@scottouellette9411 The Russians played only a very very small part in the Pacific War. As for the Italian Casualties, these were primarily along the Russian front and did not count after 1943.

[@adampatterson4857]

@@coleparker the soviets only got involved in the pacific because they realised how close the usa was going to be to their own back door

[@mikewolf417]

When I lived in New York there was a movie theater on Queens Blvd called Midway and we used to go to it as kids and young adults. I only found out recently it was named right after the Battle of Midway as it has been there for years. In fact my dad as a kid used to go there and it was called something else. He forgets the name, Oasis he thinks but is not sure.

[@yourlocalasleeponioperativ4095]

USS Yorktown: gets damaged The crew: oh no! _anyways_

[@robertyoung3992]

she finally sank on 7 June

[@jsmcguireIII]

USS Hornet (CV-8), famous for the Doolittle Raid on Japan in April 1942, was sunk three months after Midway in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in Oct 1942. Hornet's sister ship USS Enterprise (CV-6) went on to survive the same battle that sunk the Hornet and have a glorious battle record - only to be turned into scrap metal in New Jersey in the 1950's. This was America's finest hour and heartbreaking to see what we have become in 2020.

[@irasanders9207]

@G Guest USN carriers completed later in WW2 took the names of the USN carriers lost in 1942: Lexington, Yorktown Hornet, Wasp

[@BamBamBigelow..]

Aim for the meatball!

[@shaybluemer4991]

lol

[@stalinium4769]

BamBam Bigelow das panzerlied

[@feetgoaroundfullflapsC]

No, you dont aim to it. The ship is moving. You aim to where you expect the meatball to be when bomb is deck high. You say; Lets put the bomb on the meatball..

[@ppsarrakis]

@@feetgoaroundfullflapsC yeah i play world of warships too ^^

[@Diesel-powered]

Good job brave men saved our country my father served in this war who going to save are country now

[@suzanneporter7907]

My Grandfather and cousin were there when it happened. God Bless All of the Troops from WWII to this day.

[@markmitchell450]

A small fighter is highly manoeuvrable compered to a big ship but even so the odds of getting through and the right kind of hit is pretty incredible

[@tolpacourt]

It was not a fighter. It was a Dauntless dive bomber. Dive bombers are _not_ highly maneuverable.

[@normanacree1635]

The vast majority of their attacks were misses. Still and yet, those guys were unbelievable.

[@really2345]

Some years ago, I was formally introduced to one of the Japanese pilots that had scored a direct hit on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Imagine how many missions he must have survived to make it through the war.

[@visionist7]

And there will never be a documentary about him

[@normanacree1635]

@@visionist7 There might be one in Japan. They have cameras too, you know.

[@juddyoporto4510]

before he released the bomb, he shouted on his radio..."this is for PEARL", then he released the bomb on the Japanese Insignia in HIRYU . Vice-Admiral W. Halsey heard it .

[@johnemerson1363]

Since Bull Halsey was still in the hospital at Pearl Harbor, I find that unlikely, but I suppose someone could have rigged a radio receiver that could have picked up the radio signals 1000 miles away. They would have been violating bunches of security protocols doing so. Considering who Halsey was, he was kept abreast of the action but not to the detriment of security. Still, the idea sounds good.

[@stevemccarty6384]

@@johnemerson1363 Dive bombing, even in WW2 things happened pretty quickly. I doubt one had time to say anything. You pickle the weapon and pull like a mutherbear!

[@revertedakhi]

Once enemy but now allies.

[@juliochavez9929]

Once allies but now enemy = CHINA