Seventeen Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers found Task Force 11, but Wildcats disrupted their formations despite immature American fighter coordination. In one formation of nine bombers, five were shot down or forced out of formation. Breaking up a formation mattered because isolated crews then faced maneuvering ships and concentrated anti-aircraft fire alone. Lexington turned directly away at full speed when one damaged bomber attempted to crash onto the flight deck. The ship's guns destroyed it only about 75 yards away. The engagement demonstrated the value of interwar exercises. Japanese crews also differed in how they understood their duty: some tried to return and fight again, while others chose a final attack, years before organized kamikaze operations.
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Lexington's fighters defeat the Betty bomber attack
Wildcats broke up attacks by 17 G4M Betty bombers, while Lexington's maneuver and gunfire stopped a damaged aircraft attempting to crash into the flight deck.