70 Years Ago: USS Yorktown Leaves Pearl For Midway

May 30, 1942 - Task Force 17, made up of USS Yorktown, two cruisers and five destroyers, departed Pearl Harbor after hurried repairs to Yorktown. TF 17 under tactical command of Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher embarked in Yorktown, planned to join TF 16 to defend Midway against Japan's 50-ship task force (plus 116 auxiliary and transport vessels). RADM Fletcher, an aviator, was also senior to RADM Raymond Spruance, a surface warfare officer.