Factual error: When we see the scene at Coral Sea, with the carrier Lexington sinking in the background. The filmmakers showed a Yorktown-class carrier sinking instead of the very different Lexington-class.
Suggested correction: This not true, the Yorktown class had a much different island than the Lexington class and you can see it's a Lexington class shown from the starboard side, at an angle, with 2 separate towers (funnel and bridge) instead of 1 like on the Yorktown.
There are 3 Yorktown class carriers in the scene whereas the Lexington and Yorktown were the only American carriers to participate in the battle. Also, the sinking carrier is a Yorktown Class Carrier. The island is not split between the funnel and control tower, the hanger is an open style hanger and the bow is open under the flight deck. The Lexington had a closed hanger and a closed bow.
The USS Enterprise under Halsey arrived after the battle for assistance. That's why you see 3 carriers. You see the ship sink at an angle so you can't tell if the funnel and control tower are split. I do agree about the open bow though. There are some differences, but both ships looked very similar.
Factual error: Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance is the tactical commander during the Battle of Midway in the film when in reality it was Vice Admiral Frank Fletcher who was in charge.
Suggested correction: While true it's not a mistake, as the movie deliberately focuses on Spruance because of his greater role in the actual battle. Spruance was on scene approximately 36 hours before Fletcher. He had two carriers to Fletcher's one. After Yorktown was torpedoed, Fletcher evacuated to a nearby cruiser. When Spruance asked if Fletcher had additional orders, Fletcher replied "will conform to your movements", effectively turning command over to Spruance.
They didn't 'focus' on Spruance. They deleted Fletcher.
Semantics. If Fletcher is deleted, the only USN Task Force Commander left for the movie to focus on is Spruance.
Other mistake: At the end, it states "Clarence Dickinson became a 'Real' Admiral..." instead of Rear Admiral. (02:04:17)
Suggested correction: I just had the chance to watch the movie again. It says "Rear" not "Real" as alleged in this entry.
I watched just now and my version also shows "Real" rather than "Rear." Perhaps this was fixed only in some releases.
What version did you watch? I see "Rear." Perhaps a screenshot is needed.
Factual error: During the funeral scene for the men killed at Pearl Harbor, specifically the LT from the Arizona, it shows the white wooden crosses marking the graves in a disorganized pattern. All graves are arranged so that when looking at the crosses or head stones they all form a straight line in every direction.
Suggested correction: This would have been a temporary burial. The remains would later be moved to a permanent location with the neatly arrayed rows of headstones. Historical video footage from many of the Pacific Island campaigns show temporary cemeteries on the islands, were soldiers and Marines died, being established using wooden crosses, often not in perfect alignment.
Other mistake: When the attack from Japan starts at Midway and the message is reported to Nimitz, he is telling Layton that he was off slightly on his calculations. He looks at his watch, which should show 6:40 ish, but shows 3 o'clock.
Suggested correction: This is very questionable. First to get a good look at the hands on the watch, you have to pause the movie. When paused, you see a fuzzy view of the hands of the watch. You can make out one short hand (hours) and two longer hands (minutes/seconds). The short hand is pointing down towards around six or seven. One of the long hands is pointed up, at around twelve. The other long hand points towards the area of four, neither long hand (minutes) position of which would give a time of 3:00.
