Two kamikazes, probably Zeros, attacked Bunker Hill on 11 May 1945. The first dropped a 550-pound bomb that passed through the flight deck and out through the ship's side before exploding in the sea, suggesting a semi-armour-piercing weapon. The aircraft itself crashed among fuelled and armed aircraft on deck and started a major fire. Less than half a minute later, the second attacker dropped another 550-pound bomb and crashed near the island; its bomb reached the pilots' ready room and killed 22 pilots. Aviation fumes fed further fires and explosions, and the carrier lost 396 sailors and airmen, including 43 missing, with another 264 wounded. Admiral Marc Mitscher relinquished command by visual signal and transferred via the destroyer English to Enterprise. Bunker Hill reached Ulithi at 20 knots, where diverted Marine pilots rejoined her, then continued to Pearl Harbor and Bremerton for repairs. She was still under repair when the war ended in August 1945.
Notable Point · 3:27:30-3:31:39
Bunker Hill's two kamikaze hits and return under power
Closely spaced kamikaze impacts ignited Bunker Hill's armed aircraft and forced a command transfer, yet the carrier retained enough propulsion to return to Ulithi at 20 knots.