The Battle of Midway was one of the most important naval battles of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, only six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States Navy decisively defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) attack against Midway Atoll, inflicting irreparable damage on the Japanese fleet. Military historian John Keegan called it "the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare." It was Japan's worst naval defeat in 350 years.*
Troubled times. Brave Men.
We Remember.
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| Midway Island |
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| USS Yorktown Aflame |
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| The Japanese Cruiser Mikuma On Her Way to the Bottom |
*Wikipedia
Lotsa heroics that day, almost too many to enumerate. The bibliography of Midway can occupy an entire section of a library, not just a few shelves.
ReplyDeleteBTW... have you ever flown into Midway? You look out the window and think "Will this plane actually FIT on that teensy-weensy runway?" And then you land and see all the unfortunates stationed there who gather to gawk at fresh faces...
Saw it in the distance from the air. It did not look very large.
DeleteI did spend some long moments pondering the events that took place on those few days in June of 1942 in the waters below me. As Blücher remarked to Wellington after Waterloo, "Quelle affaire!"
I had the dubious pleasure of visiting Midway on the way to WesPac in '63.
ReplyDeleteThe "natives" were quite proud of the pristine condition of their lagoon.
My ship was there to refuel before continuing our voyage.
Another thing about the lagoon is the fish are extremely unpalatable, even toxic... at lest according to information provided by the locals.
The main form of transport on the island was... and maybe still is... bicycles.
Our return trip, 8 months later, we managed to avoid a stop by meeting a fleet oiler.
Interesting tidbit about the fish.
DeleteGiven the size of the atoll, I guess a bicycle would be just fine.
Perhaps a subtitle to your blog...History Comes Alive... I appreciate your perspective as well as the personal notes from the other readers, thanks
ReplyDeleteSometimes I like to have the pictures tell the story.
DeleteI'm glad you like what I'm doing in these spaces. And I really enjoy the feedback from all of y'all.
I like the subtitle, I will have to consider doing something with that!
Actually 'thats kinda lame subtitle, maybe....Sarge's History Class.......History of the World Part III (with nod to Mel Brooks).....or
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha!
DeleteWe celebrate the Battle of Midway every year. An amazing group of men.
ReplyDeleteI pray to God we remember those men always.
DeleteAnd all of those who have fought for our freedom.