"enterprise" was returning to oahu on the morning of 7 december 1941. 18 sbd dauntlesses from "enterprise" squadrons scouting squadron six (vs-6) and bombing squadron six (vb-6) arrived at pearl harbor while the japanese were attacking it. even though they were surprised, they quickly went into action to defend pearl harbor. vs-6 lost six planes during the attack. vb-6 lost one. many of these planes were shot down by the japanese. however, at least one plane was lost to anti-aircraft (aa) fire, and many more were damaged. during the battle, one radio report was heard: "do not attack me, this is six baker three an american plane". later, the same pilot (ensign manuel gonzales from vb-6) was heard telling his radioman/gunner to get ready to land on the water. lieutenant c. e. dickinson and his crewmate william c. miller, from vs-6, shot down one japanese plane before they had to jump out after their plane caught fire. dickinson later went to ford island to fly another plane. he took part when the united states were searching for the japanese fleet.