Prof. Greg Jackson

As Kusaka later recalls, I couldn't find a way down.

Everything was so covered with smoke and flame.

There was no way of getting down from the bridge except by a rope, which we hung from the bridge.

When I got down, the deck was on fire, and anti-aircraft and machine guns were firing automatically, having been set off by the fire or the ship.

Bodies were all over the place, and it wasn't possible to tell what would be shot up next.

I had my hands and feet burned.

A pretty serious burn on one foot.

That is eventually the way we abandoned the economy.

Helter skelter, no order of any kind.

The Americans have landed a massive blow, not only to the Japanese fleet's fighting strength, but its spirit.

The Japanese central point of command, arguably the most important ship, if not for fighting ability, then for morale, has been sunk.

And it's forced Admiral Nagumo Chuichi to flee, helter-skelter from his burning command post.

Nonetheless, he and Kusaka set up shop on the Nagara and began plotting a naval attack to counteract the air raids.

In the meantime, American dive bombers have also hit the Soryu.

At around 1025, she becomes the Kido Butai's third lost aircraft carrier in this battle.

And it's quite the scene.

U.S.

Navy aviator Max Leslie will later recall it as, "...the greatest inferno and holocaust I could ever imagine, with debris and material flying in all directions."

Still floating in the Pacific's blue waters, lone VT-8 survivor George Gay watches the dive bombers' successful attacks taking out the Kaga, Akagi, and Soryu, three of the Kido Butai's four aircraft carriers.

He remembers how magnificent the scene was.