The First Moves

The Battle of Midway started on June 3, 1942 as U.S. aircraft attacked Japanese transports without success and four patrol bombers attacked approaching Japanese landing forces. Admiral Chester Nimitz relayed the information he had about the main body of the Japanese forces.

On the morning of June 4, the first engagements occurred as the four patrol bombers attacked Japanese transports. Around 6:30, Japanese aircraft bombed Midway facilities, inflicting only slight damage and heavy U.S. Marine losses. The Japanese fleet defended from U.S. attacks over the next 2 hours.

Attacking the Carriers

From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., U.S. torpedo bombers drew away Japanese aircraft. This allowed U.S. dive bombers to wreck Japanese carriers Kaga, Akagi, and Soryu.

". . . and in about two or three minutes he [McCluskey] found the Japanese carriers and they were just ripe for the plucking. No fighter defense up in the air there; they were all down battling the torpedo planes. So, our dive bombers had -- just a beautiful shot, as beautiful as can be . . ."
~ Bill Norberg, a yeoman on the USS Enterprise

At 2:30 p.m., the Japanese carrier Hiryu forced the USS Yorktown to be abandoned.

"One pilot dove into the bridge. He just gave up life and just flew right into the bridge. And we got sunk. We were leaning over like that. You couldn't hardly walk on the flight deck at all."
~ Roger Spooner, a soldier aboard the USS Yorktown

At 5:00 p.m., Hiryu was wrecked. After losing all four aircraft carriers that went to Midway, Admiral Yamamoto decided to retreat westward.

On June 5, U.S. Task Force 16 chased after the Japanese fleet while others tried to fix the USS Yorktown.

United States Navy. "Scene on the flight deck of USS Yorktown (CV-5) shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942." Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/world-war-ii/midway/80-G-14384.html

"Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu burning, shortly after sunrise on 5 June 1942, a few hours before she sank." Naval History and Heritage Command, 22 March 2022, https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1942/midway.html

Roy, William. "Scene on board USS Yorktown (CV-5), shortly after she was hit by three Japanese bombs on 4 June 1942." Naval History and Hertiage Command, 22 March 2022, https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1942/midway.html

The Battle Ends

On June 6, the last air attacks of the battle occurred, including the sinking of Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma, and the damaging of cruiser Mogami, destroyer Asashio, and destroyer Arashio. U.S. Task Force 16 gave up the chase and the Japanese forces retreated to Saipan and the Japanese home islands. The USS Yorktown was torpedoed and the USS Hammann was sunk by a Japanese submarine.

On the dawn of June 7, the USS Yorktown rolled over and sank, marking the end of the battle.