On June 4th, 1942, Torpedo Squadron 8 from the U.S.S. Hornet was the first to attack the Japanese Fleet at the Battle of Midway. Outnumbered and without fighter cover, VT-8 had 14 out of 15 TBD-1 Devastators destroyed. Piloting the only surviving aircraft, Ensign George Gay, wounded and with his gunner dead, concentrated his attack against the Japanese carrier Kaga. After being shot down by Zeros, Ensign Gay witnessed the historic battle from the water, surrounded by the enemy fleet.
