Hobby Master Archive

On May 8, 1942 in retaliation for a U.S. task force attack on the Japanese carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku, aircraft from these two carriers attacked the USS Lexington and USS Yorktown. As part of the U.S. defense eight SBD-3 scouting crews from VS-5 on board USS Yorktown were assigned to low-level anti-torpedo patrol. During the encounter 4 of the SBD-3’s were shot down by Zeros with the loss of these crews. However, SBD-3 BuNo.4690 “Black S-10” piloted by Lt(jg) S. Vejtasa and Radioman/Gunner 3rd Class F. B. Wood was flown so aggressively that the Zeros never had a straight clean shot at them. In turn “Black S-10” was credited with 3 destroyed and Vejtasa was awarded the Navy Cross and would earn a second one at Santa Cruz in October 1942.

OPTIONAL TRANSPARENT ENGINE COWLING