While a damaged B-17 trying to do a suicide crash indeed didn't happen, a damaged B-26 nearly did. The pilot's intention wasn't to crash into Akagi, but he did buzz her deck and it was a narrow escape for the B-26. As for the questionable use of B-17s against ships. It's what Midway base had, and I imagine they'd rather try and fail than not try.
While a damaged B-17 trying to do a suicide crash indeed didn't happen, a damaged B-26 nearly did. The pilot's intention wasn't to crash into Akagi, but he did buzz her deck and it was a narrow escape for the B-26.
As for the questionable use of B-17s against ships. It's what Midway base had, and I imagine they'd rather try and fail than not try.