The historical Hornet launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway. She was also involved in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where she was irreparably damaged by enemy torpedo and dive bombers. She was later abandoned by her crew in the face of an approaching Japanese surface force and later scuttled on October 27, 1942 by destroyers Akigumo and Makigumo, but not before the crew of the former decided to sketch the wreck as it was too dark to take pictures. The incident is referenced in shipgirl Hornet's sinking line as well as her 4:00 p.m. hourly where she is willing herself to model for the game's resident "manga artist." She also has a relationship with Shoukaku for the same reason; they were both heavily damaged in the battle as they traded hits but Hornet fell in the end.
Hornet was the last US carrier to be sunk by enemy fire and her service earned her four service stars. Her name was later transferred to another aircraft carrier, hull number CV-12, an Essex-class carrier. Her wreck was located in late January 2019 near the Solomon Islands.
