National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Battle of Midway:   U.S. Armed Service Personnel

Following the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, and with intelligence that the Japanese planned to attack in the Hawaiian area, Task Force 17 (TF-17), led by Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, USN, and Task Force 16 (TF-16), led by Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, USN, rendezvoused three-hundred miles northeast of Midway on June 2.  Note, Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, USN, was to lead TF-17 but became ill a few days before and recommended Spruance.   Also shown in this photographic series are key United States Army Air Force and Naval aviators that led a hand in defeating the Japanese at the Battle of Midway.   

Image:  NH 93595:  Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8), Aviators, onboard USS Hornet (CV-8), circa mid-May 1942.   U.S. Naval History and Hertiage Command Photograph.