Wreckage of World War II aircraft carrier USS Hornet discovered

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uss-hor...ip-discovered/

The research vessel Petrel is perched on a spot in the South Pacific Ocean that
was anything but peaceful 77 years ago. Then, it was the scene of a major World
War II battle between the U.S. and the Imperial Japanese Navies. For the U.S.
aircraft carrier, Hornet, it would be her last battle.

Now, researchers are revealing Petrel found the wreckage of the USS Hornet in
late January – exactly what they were looking for. The ship was found more than
17,000 feet below the surface, on the floor of the South Pacific Ocean near the
Solomon Islands. The USS Hornet is best known for launching the important
Doolittle Raid in April of 1942 and its role in winning the Battle of Midway.

Richard Nowatzki, 95 now, was an 18-year-old gunner on Hornet when enemy planes
scored several hits, reports CBS News' Mark Phillips.

"When they left, we were dead in the water," Nowatzki said. "They used armor
piercing bombs, now when they come down, you hear 'em going through the decks …
plink, plink, plink, plink … and then when they explode the whole ship shakes."

With 140 of her crew already dead, the order was given to abandon ship. The
Hornet went to the bottom – three and a half miles down – which the crew of the
Petrel has been scanning with a deep-sea sonar drone that sends back live
pictures.

The drone brought back an image of something down there that's about the right
size in about the right place. It looked like her but lots of ships went down
around here. To be sure, they needed positive identification, which they got
when they saw the Hornet's naval designation: CV-8.

"CBS This Morning" was able to share the discovery in real time with Richard
Nowatzki in California – even finding the gun he was on during the attack.

"If you go down to my locker, there's 40 bucks in it, you can have it!" Nowatzki
joked.

Nowatzki has enjoyed a long life since that day. Seeing the Hornet again and the
evidence of the men who served -- a jacket hung on a hatch, somebody's wash kit
complete with toothbrush – naturally made him reflect on those who hadn't been
as lucky.

"I know I've been a very fortunate man," he said. "The actual fact that you can
find these ships is mind boggling to me … I want to thank you for honoring me
this way."

But it's the crew of the Petrel who were honored to find the Hornet and the
final resting place of so many of her brave crew. Another wreck, and in turn,
another war grave has been discovered. Its exact location is kept secret to
protect it, but the memory now has a place and the loss has a memorial.


video ---
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uss-hor...ip-discovered/


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