13. Movement 280° T., rates 15 is actually handled overnight, brand new challenger being considered to be going a little south out-of western, probably to join brand new South pushes. Quickly just before sunrise Corporation released an excellent reconnaissance flight to search the latest urban area out of 180° compliment of West in order to 360° for a radius regarding 2 hundred miles. , the fresh new opponent bearing 239° T., point 150 kilometers out of this push. The new contact statement made by radio and you may on account of sound error the word «BB» is heard while the «CV». Consequently, 1 Cv was reported so you’re able to Chief Activity Push sixteen. The fresh pilot immediately gone back to foot and you can reported truthfully step one BB, 1 California, step 3 DD, of the content miss and you may verbally. Cruisers have been upcoming ordered attain and maintain exposure to the SOCs, track this new adversary and keep maintaining this new OTC advised.
fourteen. Within 0957, commenced releasing air selection of twenty-six VSB and 8 VF. The second have been purchased collectively in the eventuality of in the past undetected sky resistance. They assisted in the assault by effectively strafing destroyers. From the 1150 the atmosphere class began their attack to the challenger force which contained 1 BB, step one Ca, and you can step 3 DDs, 142 miles hit 235° T. of Hornet 1015 updates, causing the pursuing the: dos a lot of-lb. bombs and 1 five-hundred-lb. bomb for the BB in addition to two a thousand-pound. strikes towards the a california; you to definitely five hundred-pound. strike toward stern from good DD. Five VF strafed you to definitely DD and that most likely suffered heavy staff casualties to the link and you can higher work. Among Hornet VSB was frequently struck and you will try off of the AA flame inside assault. Most of the pilots for the attack insist that dominating address try needless to say a great BB (most likely Kirishima class) and never a ca. Most of the airplanes but the one attempt off were retrieved at 1245 and you may rearmed.
During the 1239 Company launched their earliest assault of date; interceptions towards voice assault volume shown a huge way of measuring triumph
sixteen. New snap is light however, advantageous all day long, blowing from the comfort of the brand new opponent; releasing is actually used sporadically instead departure out of Collection way otherwise rate.
17. Through to the new get back of Agency Category, twenty four VSB were launched at the 1530 for just what turned out to be the past attack of the three-time action. You to deferred forced landing came back during the 1602. The newest challenger push is at this time about 110 miles 264° T. regarding Hornet reputation. Consequence of which attack are as follows: One to a thousand-pound. bomb strike on the Ca, six 1000-pound. bomb attacks on Ca or CL, step one 1000-pound. bomb strike towards DD. Most big explosions were noticed in the brand new California, therefore is leftover totally gutted because of the fire, team leaving boat. During the 1728 the fresh new assault group came back, in place of losses, and you can try recovered. Later years was commenced into an excellent northeasterly course. Cruiser seaplanes presumed the internal air patrol.
18. The Dominating Officer would like to commend the entire staff of the Hornet on the Commander-in-Chief as worth higher 
compliment due to their performance out of duty inside subject action. All hands presented on their own in such a way fitting the Navy’s greatest traditions. There were zero a great somebody, given that step are purely an atmosphere action, and there’s no cause for censure. Suggestions for honors to the Sky Classification try within Enclosure (C).
15 TBD to your 4 Summer (step 1 airplane pilot rescued). several F4F-cuatro toward 4 Summer (six pilots saved). 5 SBDs cuatro-six June (cuatro pilots and you may cuatro RM rescued).
On 1645, the latest assault try going on the challenger push composed of step one California (most likely Kinugasa classification), 1 California otherwise CL, and you will 2 DDs
step 1 torpedo strike towards the Curriculum vitae (Ensign Gay) (Most likely a great deal more by the VT8). step 3 Zero fighters try off. 2 dive bombers take to off. 2 one thousand-pound. bomb attacks towards BB. step one five hundred-lb. bomb hit on the BB. dos five-hundred-pound. bomb struck to your Ca otherwise CL. dos a thousand-pound. near misses (below 50′) towards BB. step 1 DD strafed of the cuatro VF. *2 a lot of-lb. bomb strikes towards California. 1 500-pound. bomb hit on DD. step 1 a lot of-lb. bomb struck to your Ca. six a thousand-pound. bomb strikes to the CL otherwise California. step one one thousand-pound. bomb strike towards DD.