Views of U.S. Navy pilots, their aircraft, and aftermath of Japanese bombing of Midway Island, in World War 2. Opening scene shows a formation of U.S. Navy Douglas Dauntless aircraft in flight. A U.S. Navy pilot climbs from the cockpit of an F4f Hellcat airplane on the deck of an aircraft carrier. His aircraft displays symbols for two Japanese aircraft downed. Another pilot in cockpit of his airplane that displays symbols for 7 downed Japanese aircraft. He climbs from his cockpit. Other pilots climbing out of their aircraft. One displays symbols for 6 kills. Three of them pose in front of an airplane. Scene shifts to Midway Island where a hangar is still burning from Japanese bombing. Glimpse of Gooney birds. Sentries stand on the airfield, with black smoke rising in the background. Closeup of wing from a downed Japanese airplane. Marines look through tangled pieces of crashed airplanes. One leans on a bent propeller blade. Heavy black smoke from petroleum fire is seen in background. Scene shifts to a PBY Catalina flying boat in flight, searching for survivors of the Battle of Midway. A U.S. Navy aircraft is seen floating in the sea, as a Navy warship heads toward it. A survivor is seen being helped from a PBY aircraft. Earlier picture of him smoking a cigarette inside the PBY aircraft. Sailors help him to a waiting ambulance. Other rescued survivors are seen standing about. Sailors place a litter aboard a PBY and use it to transport another survivor to sick bay. (Narrator states this is the 13th survivor rescued by the pilot of this PBY Catalina.) Ambulatory survivors being covered with blankets as they sit in the back of an ambulance, that then drives away with back door still open. Views of destroyed hospital on Midway Island. Red cross markings on are shown in the debris.
Recovery actions by U.S. Navy and Marine personnel in the wake of the Battle of Midway in World War 2. Opening scene shows religiious services being held by a bomb crater that had once been a chapel on Midway Island. That evening, marines are assembled near flag-covered coffins of fallen comrades, in a burial ceremony. A marine chaplain conducts a funeral service, as Marines stand, with their rifles, at parade rest Several views from different perspectives of the event. An honor guard fires a volley with rifles. The American flag is at half staff, in the background. Among the officers seen is Marine Major James Roosevelt, son of the U.S. President, Franklin Roosevelt. Next, Navy boats are seen offshore, carrying the fallen for burial at sea. U.S. Navy aircraft fly in formation overhead. A marine scans the sky with binoculars as dense black smoke continues to billow from the petroleum facility bombed by the Japanese several days ago, and hangs like a pall over Midway Island. The American flag on a tall pole, is highlighted against the black smoke. Film ends with series of Slates summarizing Japanese losses in the Battle of Midway. The first shows 4 Japanese Carriers sunk. It is painted over by a brush containing red paint. Another slate announces 28 Japanese Battleships, Cruisers, Destroyers sunk or damaged. A paint brush places a large black cross over that slate. A final slate states 300 Japanese aircraft destroyed. The red paint brush appears again, but this time it marks a big āVā for Victory across the slate.
U. S Mahon class destroyers speed through the water in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Closeup of one passing the camera ship. Distant head-on view of a North Carolina class U.S. Battleship. The American aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CV-6), with aircraft on her deck. Animated map shows the Coral Sea and Midway Island, in the Pacific, where the U.S. Navy successfully engaged the Japanese in major naval battles. Glimpse of sailor with binoculars at railing of an aircraft carrier with many Douglas Dauntless dive bomber aircraft on her deck. View, looking back from an airplane, toward the aircraft carrier, USS Intrepid (CV-11) underway in the Pacific, with aircraft crowded forward on her deck. A South Dakota class battleship underway and firing guns astern while defending against attacking Japanese aircraft Black flak clouds are visible low in the sky. Aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships under aerial attack. An American aircraft carrier tilting as she maneuvers sharply under fire. U.S. ships firing 1.1 inch quad anti-aircraft guns. Japanese bombers maneuvering and attacking amidst numerous black flak clouds. Skies filled with tracer rounds of ammunition. An airplane crashes into the water. Sailors reloading their quad anti-aircraft guns. Glimpse of a destroyer firing her anti-aircraft guns while racing behind an aircraft carrier. A Japanese bomber heading toward a U.S. ship, through heavy fire, is hit in the left wing and plunges into the sea. Black smoke marks its impact. Two Japanese aircraft hit by anti-aircraft fire, trail fire as the aircraft crash into the sea. More scenes of combat. Glimpse of a disabled Navy F4F airplane on a carrier deck. Sky littered with black flak smoke clouds. The sound of an engine on one Japanese aircraft begins cutting out. Two observers with binoculars point toward the plane as it falls into the sea. A PT boat is seen underway carrying Japanese airmen rescued from the sea. A sailor guards them with a Thompson machine gun. More rescued Japanese airmen are seen stepping from a Higgins boat, and then walking , while trying to avoid the cameras. Some prisoners crouched together smoking cigarettes provided by a U.S. soldier. At end of film, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, decorates American aviators and sailors at a formal award ceremony aboard an aircraft carrier.
U.S. Submarine, USS Pickerel (SS-177) docked in Pearl Harbor during World War 2. Crew members handling lines on deck. Navy ensign displayed on stern. Shipyard derrick in background. Sub's conning tower displays several miniature Japanese flags, representing victories. Boat's officers pose on deck. Other subs docked alongside in background. Sailors ride a motorized lift transporting a torpedo to the sub. Below decks, crewmen load torpedoes into firing tubes. The Pickerel starts moving out of her berth. Animated map shows pattern of U.S. submarine operations out of Pearl Harbor, fanning out toward Japan. Views of the submarine cruising on the surface. Binocular view of ships on horizon. Crew members clear the deck and go below. The submarine submerges. Crew working at duty stations. Captain at the periscope, orders firing of number 1 torpedo. It strikes a ship Which explodes and burns with billowing black smoke.
Admiral Halsey seated at desk in a conference in South Pacific port. Staff is seated in room. Admiral Halsey at desk looking at papers. Staff is at far end of the room. Staff officers with Admiral Halsey seated in middle pose for a photograph.
Crew of destroyer lined up for presentation of Navy Crosses by Admiral Halsey in South Pacific port. Line of sailors and officers at attention. Crew of ship cheering. Admiral Halsey speaking aboard ship. Admiral Halsey pinning Navy Cross on Commander Arnold Ellsworth True, Commander of the Destroyer USS Hammond. Presentation of Navy Cross to Commander Wallace Frederick Peterson. Presentation of Silver Star to Seaman 1st class O S Downey. Admiral Halsey leaving ship. Halsey ascending ship gangway to dock.