USS Hornet (CV-8)

USS Hornet (CV-8) was a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy that played a significant role in the Pacific War during World War II. The ship was named after the USS Hornet (1775), a Continental Navy ship that served during the American Revolutionary War. The USS Hornet (CV-8) was built at the Newport News Shipbuilding company in Virginia and was commissioned on October 20, 1941, with Captain Marc Mitscher as its first commanding officer, who later became a prominent figure in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The ship's construction was overseen by the United States Navy Bureau of Ships, with Rear Admiral Ben Moreell playing a key role in its design and development.

● Introduction

The USS Hornet (CV-8) was one of three Yorktown-class aircraft carriers built by the United States Navy during the interwar period, along with the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and the USS Enterprise (CV-6). The ship's design was influenced by the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited the size and armament of aircraft carriers. The USS Hornet (CV-8) was designed to carry a large air group, with a mix of F4F Wildcat fighters, SBD Dauntless dive bombers, and TBD Devastator torpedo bombers, which were also used by the United States Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. The ship's air group was commanded by Commander Stanhope Ring, who later became a prominent figure in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

● Design and Construction

The USS Hornet (CV-8) was built with a length of 824 feet 9 inches and a beam of 109 feet 2 inches, with a displacement of 25,500 tons. The ship was powered by nine Babcock & Wilcox boilers, which produced 120,000 horsepower and gave the ship a top speed of 33 knots. The USS Hornet (CV-8) was armed with eight 5-inch (127 mm) guns, sixteen 1.1-inch (28 mm) guns, and 30 .50-caliber machine guns, which were also used by the United States Army and the Royal Air Force. The ship's construction was supervised by the United States Navy Bureau of Construction and Repair, with Rear Admiral Emory Land playing a key role in its design and development, along with Admiral Harold R. Stark and Admiral Ernest King.

● Service History

The USS Hornet (CV-8) began its service in the Atlantic Ocean, where it participated in the Neutrality Patrols along with the USS Wasp (CV-7) and the USS Ranger (CV-4). In April 1942, the ship was transferred to the Pacific Fleet, where it participated in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and supported by the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and the USS Northampton (CA-26). The USS Hornet (CV-8) also participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea, where it supported the USS Lexington (CV-2) and the USS Yorktown (CV-5), and was commanded by Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral Frank Fletcher.

● Battle of Midway

The USS Hornet (CV-8) played a significant role in the Battle of Midway, where it supported the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and the USS Yorktown (CV-5). The ship's air group, led by Commander Stanhope Ring, launched a series of attacks against the Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu, which were supported by the Japanese Navy and the Imperial Japanese Army. The USS Hornet (CV-8) also launched a series of attacks against the Japanese Navy battleship Yamato, which was commanded by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and supported by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters. The Battle of Midway was a decisive victory for the United States Navy, with the loss of four Japanese Navy aircraft carriers and one Japanese Navy heavy cruiser, and was supported by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force.

● Salvage and Legacy

The USS Hornet (CV-8) was heavily damaged during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and was eventually sunk by the Japanese Navy on October 27, 1942. The ship's wreck was discovered in 2019 by a team led by Robert Ballard, who also discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic and the USS Yorktown (CV-5). The USS Hornet (CV-8) was awarded four Battle Stars for its service during World War II, and its legacy continues to be celebrated by the United States Navy and the National Naval Aviation Museum, along with the United States Naval Academy and the Naval History and Heritage Command. The ship's story has been told in several books, including "The Big E" by Edward P. Stafford and "Shattered Sword" by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully, and has been recognized by the United States Congress and the President of the United States. Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States