 Beginning at 10 : 22 , the two squadrons of Enterprise 's air group split up with the intention of sending one squadron each to attack Kaga and Akagi . A miscommunication caused both of the squadrons to dive at the Kaga . Recognizing the error , Lieutenant Commander Richard Halsey Best and his two wingmen were able to pull out of their dive and , after judging that Kaga was doomed , headed north to attack Akagi . Coming under an onslaught of bombs from almost two full squadrons , Kaga sustained four or five direct hits , which caused heavy damage and started multiple fires . One of the bombs landed near the bridge , killing Captain <unk> Okada and most of the ship 's senior officers . Lieutenant Clarence E. Dickinson , part of McClusky 's group , dove on the Kaga : 
