Bruno Peter Gaido (March 21, 1916 – June 15, 1942) was an American sailor who served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist's Mate during World War II.

While flying as a gunner for pilot Frank O'Flaherty in a Douglas SBD Dauntless during the Battle of Midway, he was shot down and captured by the Japanese whilst waiting for rescue from American forces.

Upon graduating, he immediately attempted to enlist in the Navy, but John Peter refused to grant him permission, believing him to be too young.

[3] In 1940, Bruno attempted to enlist again, and this time his father gave his blessing, stating, "You're a man and I can't stop you.

In June 1941, Lieutenant Junior Grade Norman Jack "Dusty" Kleiss got into his SBD Dauntless to attempt his first ever takeoff and landing from a carrier, an exercise with high risk to those in the plane.

[7] The lead aircraft, led by Lieutenant Kazuo Nakai, was badly damaged by a defending F4F Wildcat fighter and turned back towards the Enterprise, attempting to ram it.

[7] Seeing this, Gaido abandoned his watch post and jumped into a nearby Dauntless parked on the flight deck, and returned fire using the rear-facing .30 caliber machine guns.

His fire disabled the aircraft, causing it to narrowly miss the Enterprise, only hitting parked aircraft—including the one Gaido was in—before spiraling into the sea.

However, O'Flaherty and Gaido's plane developed a fuel leak, due to damage from either a Zero or anti-aircraft fire during their bombing run.

Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox, the director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, has stated his belief that Gaido gave the Japanese plausible-sounding but fabricated information under torture.

According to Japanese accounts, when Makigumo's officer in charge, Isamu Fujita, asked for volunteers to execute the prisoners, the crew initially refused.