Watch the Last Surviving WWII Dauntless Dive Bomber in Prestine Condition from the Battle of Midway
E3 Aviation Association / YouTube
From Pearl Harbor to Midway
In the months following Pearl Harbor, the United States faced heavy losses across the Pacific. To raise morale, a daring raid was carried out in April 1942 when sixteen B-25 bombers were launched from the USS Hornet to strike Tokyo. Though the attack caused limited damage, it forced Japan to divert resources to defend its homeland.
Only two months later, the Battle of Midway marked a turning point in the Pacific war. American carriers launched Dauntless dive bombers against Japanese forces, sinking four enemy carriers in a short span. This victory not only shifted momentum but also highlighted the importance of naval aviation.
The Last Survivor
Among the aircraft that took part in this battle was SBD Dauntless Bureau Number 21106. Flown by a Marine Corps crew from Midway Island on June 4, 1942, it engaged in combat and returned with its fuselage marked by bullet holes from the encounter. This aircraft is the only known Dauntless still preserved today that flew in the battle itself.
After Midway, 21106 remained in service for a time before being reassigned as a training aircraft. Because submarine threats made coastal waters unsafe, Navy pilots trained instead on carriers stationed in Lake Michigan. It was during one of these training missions in 1943 that the Dauntless crashed into the lake, where it remained for six decades.
Recovery and Preservation
In the early 2000s, surveyors discovered the wreckage. The faint but still legible serial number confirmed its identity as the Midway veteran. Once recovered, the aircraft was carefully restored while retaining marks from its wartime service, including visible patches covering its combat damage.
Today, this Dauntless allows visitors to directly connect with history. It stands not behind barriers but within reach, reminding audiences of the aircraft and crews who helped shape the outcome of the Pacific war.
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