US Navy,
SAN DIEGO: Grateful civilians and service members applauded the heroism and sacrifice of World War II Navy and Marine Corps veterans during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, held aboard the USS Midway Museum on June 2.
Regarded as one of the pivotal battles of the war in the Pacific, the Battle of Midway saw U.S. forces sink four Japanese carriers at the cost of only two U.S. ships, the carrier Yorktown (CV 5) and the destroyer Hammann (DD 412). The loss of the carriers stung the Japanese, but the sacrifice of her most experienced carrier pilots crippled the Japanese war machine.
“Instead of knocking on the door of the continental United States, they were put on the strategic defensive,” said Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. James Zortman.
But the victory did not come without a price. U.S. torpedo planes participating in the attack suffered grievous losses while drawing Japanese fighters down from their patrol altitudes, allowing SBD Dauntless dive bombers to score numerous hits on the Japanese carriers.
“Incredible sacrifices were made at Midway beginning on June 4th, 1942, and they continued for three days,” said retired Rear Adm. John P. McLaughlin, president and chief operating officer of the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. “The aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the destroyer USS Hammann, 147 aircraft, and 307 men were all lost during this battle, which ended up being the turning point of World War II.”
An estimated 1,150 people joined the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the battle to honor 27 surviving veterans of the battle, along with the memories and families of 12 recently departed veterans.
The ceremony included a tribute to the USS Russell (DD 414), a Sims class destroyer that served with distinction in the Battle of Midway, rescuing 492 crew members and aviation personnel from Yorktown.
In a voice hoarse with emotion, retired Chief Signalman William Schwartz, who served as a second class petty officer aboard Russell during the battle, asked each surviving Midway veteran to stand and be recognized. Some stood slower than others and some needed some assistance, but all stood tall for the applause they received.
“Need I say, I'm overwhelmed to be here this evening and have all of you people honor us,” Schwartz said.
Escorting Schwartz during the ceremony was Commander Brad Cooper, commanding officer of USS Russell (DDG 59), the Arleigh Burke class destroyer that carries on the legacy of her World War II predecessor.
During the ceremony, the museum unveiled the latest addition to its collection of warplanes, a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber of the type that scored so many hits on the Japanese Navy during the battle.
A legacy formation of an F4F Wildcat, F8F Bearcat and F-18 Super Hornet, followed by an SBD Dauntless performed a fly-by during the ceremony. At first, the tenor of the approaching propeller planes was all that could be heard, but as the flight passed by, the roar of the Super Hornet began to mix with its World War II forebearers, and as the aircraft flew off into the distance, the sound of the jet engines took over, thundering across the sky.
“To those Midway veterans with us here today, we salute you for your service, your sacrifice and your spirit,” McLaughlin said. “You have left us a legacy that today's Navy carries with great pride every day.”
