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Navy remembers Battle of Midway

  • Published
  • By Navy Chief of Information Office
WASHINGTON --  Regarded as the turning point in the Pacific during World War II, the Battle of Midway took place June 4 through 7, 1942. During the battle, U.S. Navy carrier strike forces, augmented by shore-based bombers and torpedo planes, decisively defeated an Imperial Japanese navy carrier task force. These actions prevented Japanese forces from capturing Midway Island. An important marker in the naval heritage of our nation, the Battle of Midway changed the course of the war in the Pacific within just a few short days.

Thanks to American code breakers, judicious aircraft carrier tactics and providential timing, the U.S. Navy inflicted a devastating defeat on the Japanese navy at Midway. American courage, determination, heroic sacrifice and training proved equal to the task of drawing the Japanese carriers into battle and destroying them. In a larger strategic sense, the Japanese offensive in the Pacific was derailed and their plans to advance on New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa were postponed. The balance of sea power in the Pacific shifted from Japan to parity between America and Japan. Two months after the Battle of Midway, the U.S. and its allies would take the offensive at Guadalcanal.

The Japanese lost four large carriers - four of the six that had attacked Oahu on December 7, 1941. The Americans lost USS Yorktown after her extensive contribution to the enemy's defeat. USS Hammann also sunk while assisting in Yorktown's attempted salvage. The Japanese lost more than 100 trained pilots and more than 700 trained aircraft mechanics whose technical expertise could not be easily replaced.

The victory at Midway defeated the Japanese attempt to draw the U.S. carriers into decisive battle. The Japanese opportunity for victory was forever lost and bought time for the allies to execute what was termed the Grand Strategy, to give priority to defeating Nazi Germany before applying the full force of the war effort to defeat Japan.

"The Battle of Midway was the turning point for World War II in the Pacific. This magnificent victory at sea cemented the role of Naval Aviation in combat, and this celebration affords us the opportunity to commemorate the heroic actions of the fighting men of the Pacific Fleet," said Vice Adm. Thomas J. Kilcline, Naval Air Forces commander. "Celebrating the hard-earned victory at Midway gives all of us in uniform an opportunity to learn more about this pivotal battle and the brave veterans who fought there and to remind us of what makes our Navy great."

JB MDL will host a Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony 10 a.m. June 4 at the Lakehurst Fitness Center. Navy Capt. Randy Mahr, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program manager, Naval Air Systems Command, will be the guest speaker.

The event is open to all JB MDL employees and to the public. Buses will depart the McGuire Chapel at 8:45 a.m. and will return at 11:45 a.m. The Navy Lakehurst Historical Society will open the Information Center to visitors and a barbeque lunch will be available for purchase.