Watch a US Pilot Deliver a Direct Hit on the Carrier Hiryu During the Battle of Midway

On June 4, 1942, during the Battle of Midway, the Japanese fleet had already suffered heavy losses. But one of their carriers, Hiryu, remained undamaged and launched a counterattack. Japanese planes targeted the USS Yorktown, hoping to remove a key American ship and still carry out their plan to invade Midway.

Three bombs hit the Yorktown, causing a sharp tilt to one side, but the ship remained afloat. Meanwhile, the other two American carriers—Enterprise and Hornet—were still ready to strike back. Pilots and planes that survived earlier attacks were quickly gathered for a counterstrike. Among them was dive-bomber pilot Dusty Kleiss, eager to return to the fight.

The Dive Bombers Strike Back

With most torpedo bombers already shot down earlier that day, the Americans launched only dive bombers in the afternoon. Both sides now knew where the enemy fleet was, and the fight played out in open daylight. The American SBD Dauntless dive bombers took advantage of the sun, flying in from above with light in their favor. From the Japanese ships below, the planes were nearly impossible to see against the bright sky.

As the American dive bombers began their attack on Hiryu, the carrier made a sharp left turn to avoid being hit. Two planes dove ahead of Kleiss but missed. Dusty, flying just behind, adjusted his path mid-dive. He aimed not where the ship was, but where it was heading during the turn.

A Hit That Helped Turn the Tide

At just 1,500 feet above the sea, Kleiss released his bomb. It struck the moving carrier with precision. This marked his second successful hit of the day. By the end of June 4, all four Japanese carriers had been destroyed, and the battle turned in favor of the United States.

Keep going for the video below: