The aircraft on Lexington’s stern, May 8, 1942, around 15:00. There are Wildcats in the front, Dauntlesses and

Devastators behind them. Fire is raging in the hangar and the smoke is rising around the rear lift.

Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command

Neosho and Sims at least. The ships had no

chance. After three bomb hits the destroyer

broke in halves and sank immediately. Out

of 192 crew members only 14 sailors survived. Neosho was hit by seven bombs and

a Val which, hit by a defense AA fire,

crashed on her as well. Seriously damaged

tanker drifted for several days until she finally sank.

The Americans at last discovered the light aircraft carrier Shōhō attached to the

invasion fleet and dived on her. Only two

Mitsubishi A5M Claude and a Zero provided

the air cover for her and another three Zeros took off at the beginning of the attack.

They could not however stop the American onslaught. The Lexington aircraft hit

the Japanese ship with two 450 kg bombs

and five torpedoes. Shortly afterwards the

Yorktown aircraft showed up and finished

the burning wreck with 11 more bombs and

2 torpedoes. Shōhō sank 45 minutes after the attack was launched on her. All 18

aircraft she carried were lost as well. The

Americans lost a Dauntless from Lexington. In the evening the Japanese attempted

to find the American main force again but

to no avail. Therefore, the aviators released

their bombs and torpedoes and turned on

their return flight. After the sunset they did

find the American carriers-but they were

without ordnance and misidentified the

ships as their own. They started to circle

and prepare for landing. After a while when

the American destroyers started to fire at

them the Japanese realized their mistake

and flew away.

Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command

HISTORY

Decisive second day

10

INFO Eduard

Burning, abandoned and listing Lexington, May 8, 1942 evening. There are still aircraft on the rear deck.

Photo: Raysonho

The first day ended with serious aircraft

losses on the Japanese side and resulted

in a small American victory in the form of

Japanese decision to postpone the invasion

of Port Moresby for several days. On May

8, 1942, morning the decisive battle was

staged. The Japanese launched an attack

with concentrated force of 18 fighters, 33

Val bombers and 18 Kate bombers. The

Americans sent out two separate groups.

Yorktown launched 6 Wildcats, 24 Dauntlesses and 9 Devastators. A while later

Lexington launched 9 fighters, 15 dive bombers and 12 torpedo bombers. Yorktown

aviators hit Shōkaku with two bombs, a bit

later Lexington pilots scored another hit

and the damaged Japanese carrier had to

withdraw. The Lexington attack formation

lost three Wildcats.

By a coordinated attack from both sides the

Japanese managed to hit Lexington’s port

side with two torpedoes. Val dive bombers

contributed with two bomb hits. Besides

Wildcats Dauntlesses were also deployed

to the ships’ defenses. 15 took off from Le-

F4F-3 Wildcat sporting Butch’s markings is displayed in Terminal 2 of the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

December 2022