| Marines of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade move past a wrecked Japanese Aichi D3A2 “Val” dive bomber on their way to Agat beach. This D3A was probably shot down on June 19, in the 4th carrier raid by Imperial Japanese Navy Rear Admiral Takaji Joshima’s (June 20, 1890 – October 9, 1967) “B” Force, comprised of elements of the 652nd Air Group. 9 D3A2s were available to fly off from Junyo and 18 from Hiyo, but not all were attached to the 4th wave. Between 1100 and 1130 Hours, 49 Japanese aircraft, likely including this Val, had been given an incorrect position for the United States Navy fleet and could not locate it. They flew to Guam and were intercepted over Orote Field by 27 Grumman F6F Hellcats while landing. 30 of the 49 Japanese aircraft were shot down, and the rest were damaged beyond repair. Aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16) afterward, a pilot was heard to remark “Hell, this is like an old-time turkey shoot!” Photo 3 days later by United States Marine Lieutenant Paul G. Dorsey (June 18, 1902 – January 16, 1968), attached to Naval Aviation Photographic Unit, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Edward Steichen (March 27, 1879 – March 25, 1973). | |
| Image Filename | wwii1697.jpg |
| Image Size | 572.03 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2584 x 1933 |
| Photographer | Paul Dorsey |
| Photographer Title | United States Marine Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | July 21, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Guam |
| Country | Marianas |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-80-G-475146 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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