 Late in the afternoon , a Yorktown scout aircraft located Hiryū , prompting Enterprise to launch a final strike of 24 dive bombers ( including 6 SBDs from VS @-@ 6 , 4 SBDs from VB @-@ 6 , and 14 SBDs from Yorktown 's VB @-@ 3 ) . Despite Hiryū being defended by a strong cover of more than a dozen Zero fighters , the attack by Enterprise and orphaned Yorktown aircraft launched from Enterprise was successful : four , possibly five bombs hit Hiryū , leaving her ablaze and unable to operate aircraft . Hornet 's strike , launched late because of a communications error , concentrated on the remaining escort ships but failed to score any hits . 
