There are a few photos from the battle, and only a few CAP fighters are on deck.
Ships logs are used. Much is based on the timing of the events–it would take 45 minutes to launch a strike, and between American air attacks, launching CAP fighters, and the returning Midway strike force, there was no time.
I encourage people with an interest in Midway to watch the Drachinfel video with Jonathan Parshall, and to read Shattered Sword.
I earned about Shattered Sword and the Ian Toll Trilogy from a different thread on this board, and I’m glad I did.