The uss hornet (cv-8)
Hornet enters Pearl Harbor, May 26, 1942. She left 2 days later for the Battle of Midway.
The USS Hornet was the aircraft carrier that transported all sixteen North American B-25 Mitchell Bombers 400 miles out of Japan. The USS Hornet was constructed at Newport, News, Virginia (A Yorktown classic aircraft carrier) and was commissioned in October 1941, and weighing at a whopping 19,800 tons, she spent the next four months terrorizing the Atlantic. She was later transferred to the Pacific in March 1942 (because of a secret order from president Roosevelt requesting the ship moved to the Pacific. The captain of the ship didn't even know the mission of the ship until Doolittle boarded the ship and finally told his whole crew). The Hornet was then immediately employed on the Doolittle Raid and on April 18, 1942 she launched 16 army B-25 bombers to Japan. Even though the attack caused little damage, it had big strategic implications.
The USS Hornet then set sail to the Pacific to reinforce US units following the Battle of Coral Sea. She was later recalled to Pearl Harbor in mid-May and then took part of the Battle of Midway (June 4-6, 1942) two days later. Her planes shared in the sinking of a Japanese Cruiser named Mikuma. In August, 1942 the Hornet returned once again to the South Pacific to join the fight of Guadalcanal. During much of September and October, 1942 the USS Hornet was the only operational U.S. aircraft carrier to oppose the Japanese in the area.
The USS Hornet then set sail to the Pacific to reinforce US units following the Battle of Coral Sea. She was later recalled to Pearl Harbor in mid-May and then took part of the Battle of Midway (June 4-6, 1942) two days later. Her planes shared in the sinking of a Japanese Cruiser named Mikuma. In August, 1942 the Hornet returned once again to the South Pacific to join the fight of Guadalcanal. During much of September and October, 1942 the USS Hornet was the only operational U.S. aircraft carrier to oppose the Japanese in the area.
The fall of the uss hornet
The Smokestack of the Hornet was damaged by a Japanese dive bomber.
On October 26, 1942 (Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands) her planes attacked and damaged an aircraft carrier that belonged to the Japanese named Shokaku. In return, the USS Hornet received heavy bombing and torpedo damage causing the ship to leak. Her leak is what led to practically the abandonment of her entire crew. She remained afloat until the final torpedo was given in the early morning of October 27, 1942.
Although the Hornet was originally named CV-8 she was later named the USS Hornet after she sunk so that she and her crew could be remembered. The USS Hornet was later rebuilt and remains open to the public as a museum. The new USS Hornet is also referred to as the CV-12. The biggest picture on the top of this webpage is what the Hornet looks like today.
Although the Hornet was originally named CV-8 she was later named the USS Hornet after she sunk so that she and her crew could be remembered. The USS Hornet was later rebuilt and remains open to the public as a museum. The new USS Hornet is also referred to as the CV-12. The biggest picture on the top of this webpage is what the Hornet looks like today.
hornet makes the news
Two newspaper clippings regarding President Trumans condolences toward the USS Hornet.
Almost a year after WWII, President Harry S. Truman honored all thirteen aircraft carriers that were sunk in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. Eight of the thirteen aircraft carriers were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. The Presidential Unit Citation is an award granted to military units that have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in battle, against the face of
an armed enemy. In this case the USS Hornet did perform in a manner of heroism during the act of battle (the Doolittle raid, Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, etc.). Other aircraft carriers that won the Presidential Citation were: the Essex, Lexington, and Yorktown.
The remaining five aircraft carriers were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. The Navy Unit Commendation is a ribbon that is awarded by the Navy Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment or other unit of the United States Navy or Marine Corps which has since December 6, 1941 distinguished itself in action against the enemy with outstanding heroism but not enough to justify award of the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation.
To be eligible for the award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to
that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. It is also awarded for non-combat service, in support of military operations, which was outstanding when compared to other units or organizations performing similar service. As you can tell, the USS Hornet contended in extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy, making her ineligible for the Navy Unit Commendation.
an armed enemy. In this case the USS Hornet did perform in a manner of heroism during the act of battle (the Doolittle raid, Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, etc.). Other aircraft carriers that won the Presidential Citation were: the Essex, Lexington, and Yorktown.
The remaining five aircraft carriers were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. The Navy Unit Commendation is a ribbon that is awarded by the Navy Secretary to any ship, aircraft, detachment or other unit of the United States Navy or Marine Corps which has since December 6, 1941 distinguished itself in action against the enemy with outstanding heroism but not enough to justify award of the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation.
To be eligible for the award, the unit must have performed service of a character comparable to
that which would merit the award of a Silver Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. It is also awarded for non-combat service, in support of military operations, which was outstanding when compared to other units or organizations performing similar service. As you can tell, the USS Hornet contended in extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy, making her ineligible for the Navy Unit Commendation.