Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Answer · Aircraft Carriers What was the best aircraft carrier in World War 2? A.P. Flores A.P. Flores, Senior Chaplain at Providence Health & Services Answered 11h ago In my opinion, the best aircraft carrier in World War Two was the USS Yorktown (CV-5) hands down. Why? She may not have had the most decorations (her sister ship Enterprise, CV-6) which survived the war and earned 20 Battle Stars in World War Two, or to have survived a brutal attack like the USS Franklin (CV-13), but because the impact Yorktown had in the early months of the war. She was an early contributor of the US Navy’s attempt at holding the line while more ships were being built and commissioned, but was instrumental in the two most important battles of the war which gave the US Navy time to breathe, regroup, and then counter attack: The Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. In May 1942, the US Pacific Fleet had it’s first strategic victory against the Imperial Japanese Navy. In the Tactical sense, the engagement was a draw as each side lost major capital ships that were either sunk or heavily damaged, where their presence was missed in the next major battle. In June 1942, the US Pacific Fleet surprised and decisively defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Combined Fleet at Midway, which many historians have dubbed a “miracle” or “incredible victory”, as the tide would turn and favor the US after six months of crushing defeats. The Battle of Midway goes down as the pivotal moment where the momentum of the war would swing in the direction of the US and the war to retake the Pacific would begin. At the heart of both engagements was the Yorktown which went toe-to-toe with the entire Japanese Navy. Yorktown in Hampton Roads, VA. 30 Oct 1937 one month after commissioning. Note how little her anti-air weaponry was. Yorktown’s Beginnings She was the lead ship of a class of three, the second design from the keel up as an aircraft carrier (the first was the USS Ranger CV-4). Yorktown was launched on 4 April 1936, commissioned on 30 Sep 1937. After commissioning, the Yorktown began her life operating in the Atlantic as flagship of Carrier Division 2 during Fleet Problem XX. and then transferred to the Pacific to again serve as flagship for Fleet Problem XXI. The lessons in both of these Fleet Problems revealed how significant carrier operations would contribute in future wars: screening/scouting, coordination of combatant units, convoy protection, and decisive engagements between opposing fleets. As World War Two escalated in Europe, Yorktown, along with the three Battleships of the New Mexico-class and several Cruisers and Destroyers, were transferred to the Atlantic for Convoy protection and Neutrality Patrols. A close up of the Yorktown’s island Pearl Harbor and Yorktown’s First Missions Thankfully, the Carriers of the US Pacific Fleet were not at their piers when the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor. The Enterprise, Lexington and Saratoga were at sea at the time (Enterprise being the closest to the Hawaii), while Yorktown, Ranger and Wasp were in the Atlantic. Hornet (CV-8), had already been commissioned. Yorktown was transferred to the Pacific in mid-December where it became clear that the Aircraft Carrier was now the primary tactical warship for the US Navy. They would have to hold the line until newer ships were built and ready to engage the Japanese Navy. Yorktown received upgrades to her anti-air batteries and became the flagship for Task Force 17, under Admiral Jack Fletcher. Yorktown began escorting convoys carrying Marine Reinforcements to islands in the Pacific. Task Force 17 would begin some of the first offensives of the war by raiding Japanese installations on the Marshall-Gilbert islands. In March 1942, Task Force 17 would join Lexington and Task Force 11 and began raiding Japanese shipping near New Caledonia. By April, Yorktown would continue to operate near the Coral Sea when CINCPAC Admiral Chester Nimitz was notified of increasing Japanese activity focusing on the Port Moresby. Nimitz had benefited from the increasing use of radio intelligence, which believed that the Japanese would be preparing an invasion of Port Moresby, and eventually Australia. The Battle of the Coral Sea: Baptism by Fire With the information from radio intelligence guiding Nimitz’s view of the battlefield, he resolved to meet the Japanese in the South Pacific. In May 1942, Task Forces 17 and 11 centered on the Yorktown and Lexington respectively, would be sent to engage any Japanese forces threatening that region under the command of Admiral Fletcher. During the battle, the Japanese and American ships would not sight each other at all, relying solely on carrier aircraft. Led by the Pearl Harbor Veterans Shokaku and Zuikaku of the Carrier Division 5 and the Light Carrier Shoho, the Japanese were Combat veterans in this stage of the war. The coming battle would be the first time major Naval assists engaged one another without visually seeing each other (ship-to-ship). Japanese forces began landing at Tulagi. Yorktown’s aircraft began attacking the landing force and thus, making her presence known to the Japanese. Admiral Inoue of the Imperial Japanese navy advanced her carriers into the region to engage the Yorktown and Lexington. Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea, April 1942 showing her island silhouette. Visible at left are the forward 5″38 guns and two of the flight deck outriggers. Her CXAM radar antenna is turned 90 degrees angle to the camera Bombing Five SBD-3s spotted forward on the flight deck during operations in the Coral Sea, April 1942. Note the weathered paint finish and individual aircraft number (3) on the cowl; VS-5’s planes carried their individual plane numbers on the leading edge of the wing. Both squadrons carried their plane numbers aft of the fuselage star as well. Also note the Red and White strips on the vertical stabilizer of plane 3. View of the Yorktown taken from a just launched TBD-1 “Devestator” of VT-5 in April 1942. A VF-42 “Wildcat” sits parked on an outrigger deployed forward of the 1.1 mount. SBD’s and TBD’s await their turn for launch. On 7 May 1942, US aircraft from Yorktown and Lexington struck first and sank the light carrier Shoho, while the Japanese was able to sink a US Destroyer and an Oiler. An American pilot would radio back to the carriers the famous line, “scratch one flat top” as the Shoho burned. IJN Shokaku under attack from the Yorktown’s Air Wing 8 May 1942, as seen from a VT-5 Devestator. Note the erratic torpedo tracks in the foreground. The next day, both fleets located one another and sent their respective strike packages against one another. First to arrive was the US forces, with the Yorktown’s air group attacking the Shokaku and scoring two bomb hits. Lexington’s group arrived and struck the Zuikaku and again the Shokaku. While this was occurring, the Japanese strike package began their attack runs on the Yorktown and Lexington. As dogfights occurred high above the Yorktown, a Val dive bomber slipped through and released her 250 kg bomb which struck her flight deck 23 ft forward of the number two elevator, and about 15 ft inboard of the island and penetrated through until the 3rd deck which detonated deep inside her. This caused significant damage to causing the crew to abandon three boiler rooms. Several near misses also caused damaged to her hull, but would have struck home if it wasn’t for Yorktown’s maneuverability. Two other bombs also caused damage to the Yorktown. One bomb hit a glancing blow to the Gallery Walkway just forward of the anti-aircraft mount but did not explore until it the water about 50 ft to starboard causing shrapnel damage. Another near miss occurred to port, where it landed 20 ft from the ship and exploded underwater. The damage from the near miss caused significant leaks in some of her oil tanks. Also, some hull plates were bent inwards from the blast causing some structural damage. Lexington was struck by two torpedoes and two bomb hits. Damage control teams were initially able to contain the fires, but a gas leak explosion occurred which forced the crew to abandon ship and was scuttled. Afterwards, Fletcher retired his forces away from the Coral Sea. The USS Lexington under attack during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. Heavy anti-aircraft bursts in the sky. The location of the single bomb hit and near misses on the Yorktown, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 1942. On paper, many would say Coral Sea was a draw. Tactically, the Japanese lost the light carrier Shoho and both Zuikaku and Shokaku were damaged. A simple trade off as the Japanese only lost 1 light carrier with the US losing a larger capital ship. Although losing the Lexington and having the Yorktown severely damaged, it was a strategic victory for the US as the Port Moresby invasion was called off and the Japanese lost several irreplaceable pilots. Yorktown limped home but eager to rejoin the upcoming fight. Fletcher was able to check the Japanese advancement in the Coral Sea and saved Port Moresby. Fletcher’s forces were able to sink or damage three carriers with the loss of the Lexington. More importantly, although the Zuikaku and Shokaku were not sunk, they were scheduled to participate in the Midway offensive. The US Carriers had arrived in the Coral Sea, much to Yamamoto’s surprise. Though this would be Japan’s first setback of the war, he believed that both the Lexington and the Yorktown had been sunk. Sailors clearing the debris from the bomb hit during the Battle of the Coral Sea. View taken looking forward and to starboard from the center-line at frame 110, compartment C-302–12. Interior shot of the hole in the flight deck of Yorktown. You can see the splintered planking and the torn metal. This famous photo of the Yorktown in dry-dock 1 at Pearl Harbor 19 May 1942. Repair crews can be seen on scaffolds on the foc’sle deck. Armed Marine Guards are standing guard on the train supplies. USS California can be seen in the background. You can distinguish Yorktown's Measure 12 camouflaged paint finish (blue at the waterline up until the hanger deck). The Battle of Midway: The Tide Turns and the Yorktown is once again in the middle of it. The Battle of Midway would represent in the eyes of many naval historians the decisive naval battle in the Pacific War. It remains today as one of the most important and widely studied naval engagements. The US Pacific Fleet would face overwhelming odds against a stronger, larger, and more experienced adversary. Nimitz was again aware that his naval code breakers were able to intercept and decipher the Japanese naval codes. They discovered that the Japanese were planning a large operation, code named AF. They assumed that that meant Midway Island. Their assumptions were correct and therefore had the element of surprise on their hands. Nimitz would redeploy his remaining carriers northward to defend Midway Island against strong odds. His decision to fight is a dramatic portrayal of a desperate gamble where the outnumbered Pacific Fleet could only hope to have a fighting chance against the Japanese combined fleet, the Kido Butai. Yet, Nimitz had strong optimism at Midway and therefore made the calculated risk. Unfortunately, Admiral Nimitz would not have the more seasoned and eager Admiral William “Bull” Halsey to Command his remaining Carriers Enterprise and Hornet. That Command would fall to Admiral Raymond Spruance. With the Yorktown in dry-dock, most believed that she would be in dock for at least three months. Nimitz gave them three days to repair as much as they can to get her Sea Worthy and Battle ready. Around the clock, repair crews would patch her up with the hopes of meeting Nimitz’s deadline. Repairs to Yorktown's Hull caused by the near miss at Coral Sea Yorktown seen from an escorting Cruiser Portland en route to Point Luck between 30 May and June 4 1942. Her Measure 12 camouflage is easily seen. Yorktown and TF-17 would rendezvous with the Enterprise and Hornet’s TF-16 at a designated area called Point Luck. Here, the US Navy would make its stand against Admiral Nagumo’s Main Striking Force, consisting of four Fleet Carriers, all Pearl Harbor veterans and combat tested pilots. Nagumo’s First Carrier Strike Force would have at their disposal 84 Zero Fighters, 84 Val Dive-Bombers, and 93 Kate Torpedo Bombers. Facing them, the outnumbered Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet combined would carry 77 fighters, 57 Scouting Bombers, 56 Dive-bombers, and 42 Torpedo Bombers. With the element of surprise, along with reinforced Marine Air group of 32 Dive-Bombers, 26 PBY Patrol Craft, 26 Fighters, and 20 Army Air Force Bombers, the US would lay in wait to strike at the Japanese fleet. A PBY flying off and TF17 around 0930 on 4 June 1942. Yorktown’s airgroup is readied on the flight deck which she will launch in an hour. The pilots of Torpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) at NAS Kaneohe, May 1942 shortly before the Battle of Midway. Ten of the pilots pictured here would be killed in the battle. The pilots of Bombing Three. LCDR Maxwells Leslie, CO, is seated front row 3rd from right. Yorktown as seen from the Enterprise. En route to Midway The Japanese began their attacks on the US installations on Midway Island. At the same time, Spruance and Fletcher launched their own strikes against the Japanese fleet. Through a series of timing errors on the US Navy, the Torpedo squadrons of all three carriers began their attacks without their own fighter protection, and did not coordinate with the Bombing/Scouting squadrons. One-by-one, the Torpedo squadrons attacked the Japanese fleet, and the majority of them were shot down. Hornet’s entire VT-8 squadron of fifteen aircraft were lost (The sole survivor was Ens. George Gay who would be floating in the middle of the Japanese fleet and serve as eye-witness to the 10 luckiest minutes for the US Navy). Due to the Torpedo squadron’s attacks, the Japanese CAP’s were brought to sea level and many required refueling. With the sightings of US Carriers in the region, Nagumo hesitated and ordered the rearming of his aircraft to attack the carriers. While this was occurring, the US Dive-Bombers arrived and without any fighter protection over the fleet, the Dive-Bombers were able to successfully score direct hits on three of Nagumo’s carriers (Akagi, Kaga and Soryu). His carriers sustained mortal damage before they could attack the US fleet. The Yorktown’s air-group was the only one of the three carrier groups, to successfully arrive simultaneously to the target. Hornet’s Dive-Bombers never arrived, while Enterprise’s group fragmented into three separate elements. The surviving Japanese Carrier, Hiryu, ordered her own counter-attack on the US Fleet. Her strike group of Eighteen Dive-Bombers and six fighters was the first to launch against the US Fleet, and would follow the US aircraft returning to their decks, and were only able to find the Yorktown. Dive bombers were the first to arrive and began their attacks on the Yorktown. Yorktown’s CAP was able to shoot down several of the bombers, but the Japanese were able to hit her with several bomb hits. One bomb hit the Yorktown amidships, close to where she was hit at Coral Sea, and exploded near the funnel. This ruptured the uptakes for three boilers, damaged two other boilers, and caused the the fires in five to be extinguished. A second bomb hit starboard side near her number one elevator, piercing the flight deck and exploding down in her fourth deck. The third bomb hit aft of the number two elevator and exploded on contact, causing a 12 foot hole in the flight deck. Yorktown slowed to a stop shortly after the first Japanese attack. The returning Japanese planes believed that they had caused fatal damage to her, thinking she was sunk. Yorktown eventually had her boilers reignited again and she was able to reach speeds of near 20 knots. Her flight deck was repaired and able to resume flight operations. Yorktown maneuvering from incoming Japanese dive bombers 4 June 1942, as seen from the Cruiser Portland. Note Yorktown’s Battle Ensign on her foremast. She had already been hit, aft, as smoke is seen aft of the island. A minute after the previous photo was taken, Yorktown received a bomb hit. This photo is Yorktown’s third hit during the Battle. View taken on the Yorktown after she had been damaged by three bombs on 4 June, probably the most classic photo during the Battle of Midway of the Yorktown, billowing out smoke after a bomb struck her funnel, the details of her island, and her large Battle Ensign. Damage repairs crews at work on the flight deck. Repair crews patching the hole in the flight deck from a bomb impact. Notice the differing helmets of the crewmen working with an axe (one wearing the old-style tin helmet, the other with a new-style one). This view is looking aft on the starboard side, you can see the mixed-caliber gun gallery located there with the older .50-caliber MG with the newer 20 mm Oerlikons. Damage control in Yorktown’s hanger deck Yorktown burning but underway. F4F-4 on Yorktown’s hanger deck. You can barely see the Felix the Cat insignia forward of the cockpit. Damage underneath the Flight Deck, aft, showing the timbers and plates to patch the hole. The Second wave of Japanese aircraft arrived and again found the Yorktown around 1400. Hiryu’s second strike group consisted of ten Kate Torpedo planes and six fighter escorts. appeared to have no damage, and mistook her for a second Yorktown-class carrier. Yorktown was caught in a classic Anvil attack. The Japanese divided their group into two groups and attacked her from two sides. This first group missed in their torpedo runs, but the second group had positioned themselves perfectly as Yorktown was unable to turn in time as they launched four torpedoes towards her. Two torpedoes struck which again blew out the fires in the boilers, causing the Yorktown to be dead in the water. She began listing to port, but did not sink. Aircraft from the Enterprise would soon finish off the last Japanese carrier as the crew of the Yorktown began efforts to save their ship. Torpedo attack on the Yorktown, seen from her Compass platform 4 June 1942. Two Kate’s have just dropped their torpedoes. A Japanese aircraft trailing smoke, turns away after dropping its torpedo on 4 June 1942 Continued torpedo attack on 4 June 1942. Two Kate’s can be seen flying between the Yorktown and the Cruiser Pensacola (taking the photo). Note the heavy anti-aircraft fire. The destroyer in the background is the USS Morris. Yorktown takes a torpedo hit Yorktown dead in the water late 4 June 1942. Listing heavily to port, almost to where water would enter into the hanger deck. Note her fires were out where the bomb impact was on the flight deck and stack, which led many Japanese pilots to believe they were attacking a second Yorktown-class Carrier. Yorktown being abandoned at 1703 on 4 June 1942. The destroyers Hammann and Benham are picking up survivors. Destroyers of Task Force 17 are ordered close to Yorktown as crews continue to abandon ship, 4 June 1942. Destroyers Benham, Russell, Balch and Anderson. By late afternoon on the 5 June, plans were in place to attempt in salvaging the Yorktown. On 6 June, the Destroyer Hammann came along side to try and provide power for her and by late afternoon Yorktown’s list had improved and was being tugged back to Pearl Harbor. One of the rare photos from inside the Yorktown prior to her sinking as crews try to salvage her 6 June 1942. The Japanese submarine I-168 found the Yorktown and Hammann and attacked with four torpedoes. One hit the Hammann and sunk and two hit the Yorktown on the starboard side, completely opposite to where she was hit by the Hiryu’s planes two days prior. The Depth Chargers from Hammann exploded in dramatic fashion. Yorktown would remain afloat, but on 7 June 1942, Yorktown listed to port and rolled over and sank thus ending the life of a gallant ship. PhoM2c William C. Roy takes photos of the destroyer Hammann sink after being struck by torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-68, 5 June 1942. Diorama by Bel Geddes shows the explosions of the depths charges of the destroyer Hammann.
Position of the Hammann and Yorktown when attacked by the I-168




Yorktown capsizing 7 June 1942.


Yorktown settling in stern first, 7 June 1942


Damage report of Yorktown during the Battle of Midway, 4 June 1942


The attack on Yorktown and Hammann by the I-168 6 June 1942.


After Action Report showing the attack from Hiryu’s strike force. Arrows indicate direction of attack, with other notations include general purpose bombs or land type, altitude and angle of attack.

Her wartime operational history was brief compared to her sisters Enterprise and Hornet, did not have the striking punch as the later Essex-classes, but had the most impact on the two vital fleet engagements which paved the way for the US Navy to dominate the Pacific War. Three times, the Japanese Navy had believed her to be sunk (once at Coral Sea and twice at Midway) yet her crew had done a phenomenal job in damage control and getting her deck ready for air operations. It is no wonder that the Hiryu strike group thought they were attacking two different Yorktown-class carriers. Yorktown’s unfortunate fate drew the attention of the Japanese forces, which in turn, allowed Spruance to attack and sink the Hiryu.

Yes, Enterprise will be known for her decorations under Admiral Bull Halsey and the Hornet will be known as the deck that launched the Doolittle Raid and holding the line as the only operational carrier for a few months. But what Yorktown did in those short five years (6 months in wartime) since she was commissioned earns her the status of Best Carrier in World War Two.

Suggested readings: Incredible Victory by Walter Lord Miracle at Midway by Gordon Prange Shattered Sword by Jonathan Parshall That Gallant Ship: USS Yorktown by Robert Cressman Warship Pictorial No. 9 - Yorktown Class Carriers by Steven Wiper Warship Pictorial No. 44 - USS Yorktown by Steve Wiper Midway: 1942 (Battles in Focus) by Philip Grove Midway 1942: Turning-point in the Pacific by Mark Healy Battle of the Coral Sea by Chris Henry Note: Photos were taken from navsource .org website and from That Gallant Ship: USS Yorktown. 6k Views · View Upvoters