<p>The U.S. Navy pilots of the four Consolidated PBY-5A <i>Catalina</i>s of Patrol Squadron 24 (VP-24) and VP-51 that flew the torpedo attack mission against the Japanese fleet's Midway Occupation Force during the night of 3-4 June 1942.
<br>Those present are (left to right): Lieutentant (Junior Grade) Douglas C. Davis, of VP-24; Ensign Allan Rothenberg, of VP-51; Lieutenant William L. Richards, Executive Officer of Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44), who flew in a VP-24 aircraft on this mission; and Ensign Gaylord D. Propst, of VP-24. 
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Richards hit the Japanese oil tanker <i>Akebono Maru</i>, flying PBY "24-P-12". This was the only successful air-launched torpedo attack by the U.S. during the entire Battle of Midway.
U.S. Navy
Official U.S. Navy photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/world-war-ii/midway/80-G-64819.html">80-G-64819</a> from the U.S. Navy <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.history.navy.mil">Naval History and Heritage Command</a>