USS Hornet (CV 8) - The Carrier That Stung the Japanese

[@BP-1988]

My father was an SBD pilot assigned to VS-8 on the USS Hornet (CV-8). He saw the B25s being loaded in Alameda, CA and then from Hornet's island, witnessed Doollittle's raiders struggling to get their planes airborne. At Midway, he flew on the "Flight to Nowhere" which was led by Hornet's Air Group Commander Stanhope Ring who didn't know what he was doing or where to find the Japanese fleet. Two days later, on June 6th, he dove on and hit the Japanese Cruiser Mogami with his 1000 lb. bomb. During the Battle of Santa Cruz, his squadron was attacking the Japanese carrier Shokaku as the Hornet was being bombed and torpedoed. He hit the Shokaku with a 1000 lb. bomb and despite at least 3 other bombs hitting the carrier, his squadron was unable to sink it. (However, it did put Shokaku out of the war for almost 7 months.) During his return flight to the US fleet, he was attacked by a Zero which severely wounded his rear gunner. He was able to escape but when he finally sighted the Hornet it was dead in the water, listing, and unable to land planes. Fortunately he was able to find the USS Enterprise. After an initial wave off and with almost empty fuel tanks he was able to land. He rear gunner had lost so much blood that as his plane was being pushed aside, an Enterprise plane handler pointed at his SBD and said "Look that plane is bleeding!" His rear gunner spent 6 months in the hospital but survived and lived until 2007.

[@maximusmeridius3380]

Way cool. What a story! What a legacy!

[@BP-1988]

Currently there is a book about his WWII experiences being written by a known author and historian. It will also include the battles and missions he participated in after the Hornet was sunk and his was reassigned to the USS Lexington (CV16). He is mentioned in many books written about WWII in the Pacific and none so far are specifically about him. My father was profiled in the March 22,1943 issue of Life Magazine as a "typical" dive bomber pilot in an article by Tom Lea titled "Aboard the USS Hornet". (The article was published after the Hornet was sunk and at about the time it was publicly acknowledged by the US.) In addition to the Battles of Midway and Santa Cruz, he also saw action at the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as well as attacks on Japanese installations at Truk Lagoon, Hollandia, Palau, Wake Island, Wolei, the Marshall Islands, and the Caroline Islands. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 2 Air Medals.

[@maximusmeridius3380]

Oh please, what is the name of the book so I can put it on my watchlist.

[@BP-1988]

The final title hasn't been decided yet. It will need final approval by the publisher. I will post it as soon as it gets approval.

[@gayprepperz6862]

So cool! I'm always happy to see the posting of someone who was "there", or their father, grandfather was there. That's what makes these video presentations complete. I honor you father for his service, and his part in "The Greatest Generation." Indeed they were - The Greatest Generation" America has ever produced.

[@Kyfordman1989]

She had a brave crew and she was a fine ship. She did not give up. She held the name of pride.

[@garyscharf9232]

The new Hornet is now a floating museum anchored in Alemeda California. I've been to it twice, going on the helm and engine room tours. Well worth every second.

[@Fischbone158]

It has a very "Spooky" feel to it compared to the Intrepid in NYC and Midway in SD. Definitely worth a visit plus there is a museum nearby and an old hangar with Pan Am symbol painted on one side from the old clipper days of the 1920's and 30's. The ferry terminal that has service from SF is within reasonable walking distance.

[@AlanMydland-fq2vs]

yes ive been their twice with the QB s

[@waltwhite2534]

Been to the Hornet museum twice with my son's Scout troop when he was a member, including a sleepover. A lot more room than the sleepover on the Pampanito nearby!

[@kennethprice5628]

Excellent

[@forestturnings5732]

Very well done. Excellent detailed research. Thank you.

[@73Trident]

Good job as always. Keep up the good work.

[@johnking6252]

Always loved the Hornet 👍. Go Navy 🇺🇲

[@DaveSCameron]

Incredible tale about a vessel that was available for us at the most perfect time possible and God bless our American cousins. ☘️🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@austinblack7991]

They actually found her wreck in 2019

[@TheValorVault]

@@austinblack7991 and I state that at the 18:48 mark

[@austinblack7991]

@ I think they should raise her as the only Yorktown class carrier to survive the war was the enterprise but she was scrapped they say she’s a war grave but there’s a catch all the dead and her crew were taken off the ship before she sank so she’s not a war grave

[@SergioLuizCardosodeSouzaJunior]

Compro 5 navios dessa classe para a marinha do Brasil Rio de Janeiro niteroi Brasil

[@conradnelson5283]

Good video thanks

[@mdit21]

The last of the original eight (prior to the entry of the US into WWII and arrival of the Essex class carriers).

[@garysohn4307]

My dad served aboard her. Thanks !

[@jacksonj3082]

Given the historical significance of the Hornet (Dolittle Raid),\ to recovery of Apollo 11 - wish there was a sister ship of the amphibious assault ship Wasp named after the Hornet.

[@Fischbone158]

It's pronounced Yo-Koos-Ka not Yo-Ko-Su-Ka. I was stationed on the A/C USS Independence, last Forrestal class, CV-62 based there '95-'98.

[@danielsloan2509]

I thought the enterprise was the only carrier at one point?

[@TheValorVault]

She was, after Hornet was sunk. Enterprise was damaged during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, then Saratoga was torpedoed and sent stateside, then Wasp was sunk. Enterprise returned just in time for the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. She was damaged, but because Hornet had been sunk, they made temp repairs so she could hang around til Sara was back. Crazy times for the USN.

[@Wyomingchief]

​@@TheValorVault100 correct. And if I'm not mistaken at one point we didn't even have an American Carrier available, we were using one of the british. But yeah there's several good books out there about the hornet, and the other two Enterprise in yorktown.

[@joebombero1]

Enterprise and Yorktown were being repaired after Wasp was sunk. For a few weeks, September 1942, the Hornet was the only one in service. Why the Japanese didn't swarm Guadalcanal at that time is a big discussion topic. Another "what if..."

[@joebombero1]

​@@Wyomingchiefthey always could have brought the Ranger over from the Atlantic.

[@remilekunakanny4816]

Yeah you're right.

[@DirkDiggler6903]

Doolites plane didn't drop below sight. That was Ted Lawson, who's flaps were down. Guess these video are put out just for a commercial, every 4 minutes! THUMBS DOWN

[@BlindPidePiper]

Yeah...and her SBD and Wildcat pilots' woeful performance at Midway cost us the Yorktown.

[@DefiantSix]

Largely the responsibility of lack of combat experience on the part of the squadron commanders. It was so early in the war, they didn't know what NOT to do, and therefore couldn't properly train their pilots more effectively.

[@BlindPidePiper]

@@DefiantSix Fair enough but, The Enterprise's pilots are more experienced and are lauching within site of the Enterprise pilots. Follow them! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjHaH2anZucj8U

[@BlindPidePiper]

@@DefiantSix umm...there was a mutany in the air. If the'd just followed the more experience Enterprise pilots, who they launched from the same location and time with, that would have almost doubled the number of SBD's on target at the time and hits on the Hiryu at that same time probably saves the Yorktown.

[@BlindPidePiper]

@@DefiantSix Largely the responsibility of the Hornet flight commander that lead the Hornet's flights in the wrong direction.

[@RonaldMayDMD-nt3fd]

Unless you have “trapped aboard a carrier” and wear the gold wings of a Naval Aviator, your critique of the men who flew the mission is absolute and utter rubbish!! Any fool can criticize an historical event which happened 80 years ago!! The Japanese Zero was a far superior aircraft in the early years until one was found, brought to flight function. Test pilots determined the Zero’s weaknesses which led to more even results

[@PostalWorker14]

Surprised that it didn’t have armor belt or torpedo bulge

[@bobkohl6779]

Save the hyperbol, jist do history

[@AlfredMBunge]

Excellent