The following video is in memory of Torpedo Squadron
Eight (VT-8). The brave men of this squadron attacked the Japanese Fleet
at Midway in 1942 in antiquated TBD torpedo aircraft. The entire
squadron was killed except for one pilot, George Gay, who authored
the book, "Sole Survivor the Battle of Midway" (1980).
This Michael Cooper edited video is the actual color film of the
squadron and its men. The film was never released to the public and was
only presented to the widows of the officers and men.
The first part of the film shows
VT-8 preparing and taking off the USS Hornet on their ill-fated
mission. All except George Gay, had less than two hours to live.
The second part shows the men just
after the Battle of the Coral Sea a month earlier.
The last part shows a service held
aboard Hornet for the lost aviators.
