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Photo # 80-G-14384: Scene on USS Yorktown's flight deck shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific -- Battle of Midway --

Japanese Attacks on USS Yorktown, 4 June 1942 --
Scenes on Yorktown during and immediately after the Torpedo Plane Attack

This page presents views taken on USS Yorktown as she battled approaching Japanese torpedo planes, and after she was hit by two torpedoes.

For additional coverage of this attack and its results, see:

  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Approach Yorktown;
  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Hit Yorktown; and
  • USS Yorktown is abandoned.

    For links to pages on the dive bombing attack earlier in the day, see:

  • Japanese Attacks on USS Yorktown, 4 June 1942 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    For links to views of other aspects of the Battle of Midway, see:

  • Battle of Midway, Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: 80-G-312002

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    View from above the signal station of USS Yorktown (CV-5), 4 June 1942, during the mid-afternoon Japanese aerial torpedo attack. This view looks forward and to port, with the port leg of the tripod foremast at right. Barrels and gun training limit rails of the .50 caliber machinegun battery atop the island are in center, with the flight deck beyond. At the flight deck edge are the port forward 20mm and 5"/38 gun galleries, with gunsmoke visible outboard of them.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-312003

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    A Japanese Type 97 shipboard attack aircraft (upper right) approaches USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the mid-afternoon torpedo attack by planes from the carrier Hiryu, 4 June 1942.
    Photographed from above Yorktown's signal station, immediately aft of her tripod foremast, looking forward and to starboard. Note mast leg with radar wave guide at left and signal halliards across the field of view. A .50 caliber machine gun, one of several mounted atop the island, is at bottom, with gun training limit rails above it.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-312006

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    A Japanese Type 97 shipboard attack aircraft flies near USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the mid-afternoon torpedo attack by planes from the carrier Hiryu, 4 June 1942. This plane, which has already dropped its torpedo, is trailing a thin stream of grey smoke from its port wing.
    Photographed from one of Yorktown's gun positions, with the shield and barrel of a 20mm gun visible at right.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 94KB; 600 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-14384

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Scene on the flight deck of USS Yorktown (CV-5) shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942. Men are balancing themselves on the listing deck as they prepare to abandon ship.
    This view looks aft from alongside the island. F4F-4 "Wildcat" fighter visible in the background is Fighting Squadron Three's Plane # 6 (Bureau # 5165), which had been flown by Ensign Brainard T. Macomber during the morning attacks on the Japanese carrier fleet. Insufficient fuel prevented it from being launched to defend Yorktown from the afternoon torpedo plane attack.
    Note life jacket worn by man at right.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-21603

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Looking forward on the flight deck of USS Yorktown (CV-5) shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942. Men are preparing to abandon ship.
    Island's port side is at right, with the curved supporting structure for the Primary Flight Control booth at top. Knotted lines in the foreground were apparently used to evacuate the island's upper platforms.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-21604

    Battle of Midway, June 1942


    Looking to port, amidships, on the flight deck of USS Yorktown (CV-5) shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942.
    View shows the damaged port side catwalk at between about Frames 83 & 90, which was broken and bent upwards by the explosion of an aerial torpedo on the hull below.
    Arresting gear wire visible is that located at about Frame 91.5.
    This appears to be a partial double-exposure, with the second image, at bottom, showing the tail of an F4F aircraft.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     


    For additional coverage of this attack and its results, see:

  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Approach Yorktown;
  • Japanese Torpedo Planes Hit Yorktown; and
  • USS Yorktown is abandoned.

    For links to pages on the dive bombing attack earlier in the day, see:

  • Japanese Attacks on USS Yorktown, 4 June 1942 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

    For links to views of other aspects of the Battle of Midway, see:

  • Battle of Midway, Overview and Special Image Selection.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 11 April 1999
    Coding updated 25 April 2009