More than eight decades after the Battle of Midway, important questions remain about the decisions made in the skies over the Pacific on June 4, 1942. In this analysis, Captain Timothy Kinsella, USN (Ret.), examines one of the most consequential: the course flown by USS Hornet Air Group and what it reveals about Lieutenant Commander John Waldron’s decision to break away with Torpedo Squadron 8.

Drawing on Clay Fisher’s recollection of seeing smoke from Midway, aircraft altitude and visibility calculations, eyewitness accounts, and reported wind conditions, Captain Kinsella revisits evidence that has long shaped the debate over whether Hornet Air Group flew approximately 240 degrees or 265 degrees. His analysis makes the case that Fisher could have seen the smoke from Midway while flying the more westerly course, adding important support to the historical understanding of what Waldron faced that morning.

For anyone seeking to understand John Waldron and the men of VT-8, this is an important read. It provides valuable context for the judgment, conviction, and courage behind Waldron’s decision to trust his navigation, lead his squadron toward the Japanese carriers, and carry out an attack that became one of the defining acts of sacrifice at Midway.