On April 18th, 1942 the US launched an attack on Japan called the Doolittle Raid.  The mission launched from the carrier the Hornet and was led by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle.  These raids helped the US and Allies morale support and confidence.  The planes that they flew were B-25B "Mitchell" they could fly off the ship with a useful bomb load and enough fuel to hit Japan and continue onto airfields in China.  

Doolittle gathered volunteer air crews for this dangerous mission.  He used special training for his men and modifications to the air planes.  The Hornet took to sea on April 2, 1942 and headed west across the Pacific.  On April 13th the Hornet met up with Admiral William F. Halsey's flagship the Enterprise, which would provide air covering during the approach.  The plan was to launch in the afternoon on April 18 about 400 miles from Japan but on the morning of the 18th enemy picket boats were encountered much further than expected.  These enemy ship were sunk but got radio signals back to base.  So the US had to send off the attack a 8 a.m. and were more than 600 miles out.  Each B-25 had about 5 men in each plane.  Only a few crewmen died on the mission.  The raid was a huge success.  

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/misc-42/dooltl.htm