Joint base honors 70th anniversary of Battle of Midway

Published June 7, 2012
By Staff Sgt. David Carbajal
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The joint base community members came together June 4 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway at Hangar 1.

The annual ceremony is held to honor the Sailors and Marines who displayed courage, sacrifice and heroism in the Pacific during one of the most significant naval battles of World War II.

"Today, we commemorate the 70th anniversary of one of the Navy's and the nation's most historical significant naval victories," said Cmdr. Chip DeWalt, VR-52 Squadron commander. "The Battle of Midway changed the tide of the war in the Pacific and the course of world history. As we commemorate this day in history, let us reflect the lessons learned and the battle that change U.S. history."

The Battle of Midway ended when a U.S. carrier aircraft found and bombed Hiryu the last of the Japanese aircraft carriers. Combined Fleet commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto called of the Midway operation and retreated.

During the ceremony, DeWalt placed a commemorating wreath, honoring the 307 U.S. causalities of the battle. The U.S. also lost one carrier, one destroyer and 150 aircraft during the battle.

Japanese forces lost more than 100 trained pilots and more than 700 trained aircraft mechanics, four large carriers and 248 aircraft during the battle. The balance of sea power in the Pacific shifted from the Japanese to the U.S. immediately after the battle.

Two distinguished guests attended this year's ceremony - Joseph L. Waller, who served on the USS Yorktown and Eugene Fitzmaier, who served on the USS Portland.
Rear Adm. Randolph L. Mahr, who was the guest speaker for the ceremony, expressed gratitude toward the two Battle of Midway survivors.

"Without [these Battle of Midway survivors] who are wearing the hats and still wear their uniforms, we would not be sitting here today," said Mahr, who is the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division commander and assistant commander for Research and Engineering, Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Md. "I honor them for their service. These veterans served with honor and courage so that America could remain free."

Mahr went on to thank the service members at the ceremony.

"Thank you all for what you do every day," said Mahr, who is an Elizabeth, N.J., native. "Thank you for that honor, that courage, that commitment and that gallantry. It's truly an honor today to stand here in the presence of the young men and women who continue to join and service in the U.S. Navy."