U.S. NAVY VICTORIOUS IN KEY BATTLE OF MIDWAY
Midway* (JFK+50) On June 7, 1942, the Battle of Midway concluded with a United States victory over the Japanese. The National World War II Museum of New Orleans says that it stopped the growth of Japan's empire in the Pacific.
Commanding US Naval forces was Chester W. Nimitz, and the Japanese Naval forces by Isoroku Yamamoto.
The battle started on June 4th with four Japanese aircraft carriers attacking the U.S. base on Midway Island. The U.S. Navy responded by targeting the Japanese carriers Akagi, Kaga & Soryou which were
"set ablaze, and abandoned."^
On June 7th, the Japanese sank the U.S.S. Yorktown**, but as the battle ended on that day, the Japanese had lost over 3000 men, four carriers and hundreds of aircraft. The United States lost 307 men, one carrier, one destroyer, and 150 aircraft.
The Battle of Midway was the first major naval victory by the United States Navy over the Japanese Navy and is known as the "turning point" in the Pacific theater.
^The Japanese also lost a 4th carrier, the Hiryu, and cruiser Mikuma.
*Midway Atoll in the northern Pacific Ocean includes Eastern (Green) Island & Sand Island. It spans 2.4 sq.miles. Midway was claimed for the U.S. in 1859 by Captain N.C. Brooks & annexed in 1903. It is located 1300 miles NW of Hawaii.
**U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10) "The Fighting Lady" was launched in 1943 & earned 11 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. She was modernized & recommissioned in 1953 serving in the Korean War. Decommissioned in 1970, USS Yorktown is a museum ship today located on Patriot's Point, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
SOURCE
"The Battle of Midway," The National World War II Museum, New Orleans, www.nationalworldwar2museum.org/
