The Navy's SBD Dauntless was the most famous carrier-based dive bomber of World War II. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company it served the Navy, Marines and the Army(as the A-24) and also many of our World War II allies. The Dauntless first entered service in mid-1939 and distinguished itself in the Battle of Midway against Japanese carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu. Its capacity to absorb battle damage made it a rugged adversary and is one of aviation history's classic warplanes.