BigJim49 AustinNowDallas said:
See George GaY Aggie sole survivor of his crew from the Hornet ! Watched the
battle in his life jacket after he was downed . Believe he or somebody wrote a book about this .
Ensign George Gay was the sole survivor of Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8). They flew Douglas Devastators and were shot down to a man. However, the Japanese fighters keyed on the torpedo bombers and this distracted them from the approaching American dive bombers (flying SBD's - Scout Bomber Douglas).
It was the dive bombers that lit up three Japanese carriers and carried the day.
So VT-8's sacrifice was not in vein. It was critical to the American victory!
"He who attempts to govern, ploughs the sea" -Simon Bolivar