Fletcher, Hero of Midway

Robert

Banned
June 4, 1942

Cmdr. Stanhope Ring, USN, Commander of the Hornet Air Group makes a decision to turn away from Midway in hopes of finding the Japanese carrier task force. His efforts are rewarded when he comes upon the Hiryu, and lauches an attack with his 36 SBDs of Bombing Eight. At almost the same instant, Bombing 6 attacks the Kaga and Akagi, and Bombing 3 attacks the Soryu. All four carriers are left burning. In the wake of the disaster Admiral Yamamoto orders the withdrawl of the Japanese Fleet.

Admiral Fletcher was given credit for the victory, and would be given command to the Fifth Fleet later in the war. Spruance would remain as Nimitz's chief of staff.
 
June 4, 1942

Cmdr. Stanhope Ring, USN, Commander of the Hornet Air Group makes a decision to turn away from Midway in hopes of finding the Japanese carrier task force. His efforts are rewarded when he comes upon the Hiryu, and lauches an attack with his 36 SBDs of Bombing Eight. At almost the same instant, Bombing 6 attacks the Kaga and Akagi, and Bombing 3 attacks the Soryu. All four carriers are left burning. In the wake of the disaster Admiral Yamamoto orders the withdrawl of the Japanese Fleet.

Admiral Fletcher was given credit for the victory, and would be given command to the Fifth Fleet later in the war. Spruance would remain as Nimitz's chief of staff.

A bit brief and do they attack when the Zeros are busy wave-hopping after the slaughter of the torpedo bombers? And given the way that Fletcher ran Guadalcanal I don't think that he'd be left in charge of Fifth Fleet for long. The man was competent but not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination. Spruance had that certain Je n'sais pas on the other hand.
 

Robert

Banned
Fletcher's legend continues through the Guadalcanal campaign. The Yorktown's scouts spotted a Japanese task force heading for the landing site, and strikes from her, Enterprise, and Wasp (Saratoga was sent off to refuel) inflicted significant damage to it. (In our timeline Fletcher pulled out the Task Force during the first day. Not having lost the Yorktown at Midway would have give Fletcher more of the confidence he had when he received the Medal of Honor for Mexico.)

At the Battle of the Eastern Solomons comes off as a replay of the Coral Sea. Yorktown under Spruance, and Enterprise is damaged, is lost in exchange for the Shokaku and Ryujo, and damage to the Zuikaku. (An extra carrier on the U.S. side makes all the difference.)
 
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