A U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless assigned to either Scouting Squadron 71 or 72 (VS-71/VS-72) off USS Wasp (CV-7) in flight in the vicinity of Guadalcanal. The aircraft of these squadrons helped support Operation Watchtower, the invasion of Guadalcanal beginning on 7 August 1942. Following the sinking of Wasp on 15 September, eleven VS-71 aircraft and crews were sent to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, flying combat missions from 28 September to 7 November 1942.
