The HORNET (CV-8) was launched December 14, 1940 by the Newport News Ship Building & Dry Dock Co,and commissioned at Norfolk October 20, 1941. April 18, 1942, HORNET lunched B-25 to bomb Japan, Intercepted broadcasts, both in Japanese and English. June 6, 1942, HORNET planes attacked the fleeing Japanese fleet to assist in sinking cruiser Mikuma, damaged a destroyer, and left cruiser Mogami aflame and heavily damaged. HORNET (CV-8) received four battle stars for World War II service.