Midway Campaign - In Memoriam: Torpedo Squadron 8

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Torpedo Squadron 8, off the USS HORNET, attacked the Japanese carriers off Midway. Flying old, slow aircraft armed with defective torpedoes and lacking fighter cover, they were all shot down without inflicting any damage on the enemy. But by attracting the attention of the Japanese combat air patrol, their gallantry made possible the success of the American dive bombers that arrived overhead minutes later, to devastate the Japanese carriers Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu , setting the stage for victory. Although many other airmen died during the Battle of Midway, the sacrifice of Torpedo 8 was particularly critical to the American victory.

* On June 4, 1942, George H. Gay Jr. (1917-1994), was the pilot of a TBD1 Devastator torpedo bomber which was shot down in the midst of the Japanese carriers Ditching, Gay was an eyewitness to the devastating attack on the Japanese carriers by U.S. Navy dive bombers, which sank three of the four Japanese carriers in a few minutes, an attack made possible by the sacrifice of Torpedo 8. Rescued, Gay, a tall, handsome man, became a popular hero. After the war, he was for many years a pilot for TWA, and often lectured on his experiences at Midway.

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