THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Battle of Midway Commemorations

PENSACOLA, Fla. (June 5, 2007) - The U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" fly over the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony at the Center for Information Dominance (CID) Corry Station. Nine veterans of the Battle of Midway joined hundreds of CID Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and guests in the commemoration, held annually to celebrate the decisive victory at Midway. U.S. Navy photo by Gary Nichols (RELEASED)

PENSACOLA, Fla. (June 5, 2007) - Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen assigned to the Center for Information Dominance (CID) Corry Station participate in the command's annual Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremony. Nine veterans of the Battle of Midway joined the CID staff members, students and guests to celebrate the decisive victory at Midway. U.S. Navy photo by Cryptologic Technician Maintenance 1st Class Wesley Goodman (RELEASED)

MIDWAY ATOLL (June 4, 2007) - Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, addresses more than 1,500 guests, including veterans and active-duty service members, during the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony held at the Battle of Midway National Memorial on Midway Atoll. Midway Atoll is located less than 150 miles east of the International Dateline and is a National Wildlife Refuge whose mission is to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of the atoll. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael L. Hight (RELEASED)

MIDWAY ATOLL (June 4, 2007) - Secretary of the Interior, the Honorable Dirk Kempthorne, delivers his remarks during the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony on Midway Atoll. More than 1,500 distinguished guests and visitors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Midway Memorial Foundation and U.S. Pacific Fleet, assembled on the atoll, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Midway Atoll is located less than 150 miles east of the International Dateline and is a National Wildlife Refuge whose mission is to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of the atoll. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

MIDWAY ATOLL (June 4, 2007) - Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard, delivers his remarks during the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony on Midway Atoll. More than 1,500 distinguished guests and visitors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Midway Memorial Foundation and U.S. Pacific Fleet, assembled on the atoll, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Midway Atoll is located less than 150 miles east of the International Dateline and is a National Wildlife Refuge whose mission is to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of the atoll. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

MIDWAY ATOLL (June 4, 2007) - U.S. Pacific Command Color Guard parades the colors during the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony on Midway Atoll. More than 1,500 distinguished guests and visitors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Midway Memorial Foundation and U.S. Pacific Fleet, assembled to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Midway Atoll is located less than 150 miles east of the International Dateline and is a National Wildlife Refuge whose mission is to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of the atoll. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

MIDWAY ATOLL (June 4, 2007) - Sailors assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band perform on Midway Atoll for more than 1,500 distinguished guests and visitors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Midway Memorial Foundation and U.S. Pacific Fleet, during a commemoration ceremony for the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Midway Atoll is located less than 150 miles east of the International Dateline and is a National Wildlife Refuge whose mission is to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of the atoll. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

MIDWAY ATOLL (June 4, 2007) - Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard and the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii, speak with a member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as they cross the flight line of Midway Atoll. More than 1,500 distinguished guests and visitors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, assembled on Midway Atoll, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Midway Atoll is located less than 150 miles east of the International Dateline and is a National Wildlife Refuge whose mission is to preserve, protect and restore the biological diversity and historic resources of the atoll, while providing opportunity for wildlife-dependent recreation, education and scientific research. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)

Official U.S. Navy Battle of Midway Web site

Battle of Midway Commemorated at Midway Atoll
6/5/2007
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James. E. Foehl for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

MIDWAY ATOLL (NNS) -- Distinguished visitors and more than 1,500 guests of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Midway Memorial Foundation and U.S. Pacific Fleet, assembled on Midway Atoll, June 4, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.

“We’re gathered here today at one of the most remote and special places on earth. Midway, is where the course of history was changed,” said the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawai’i.

The Battle of Midway was fought June 4 – 7, 1942, and served as a turning point in the Pacific during World War II.

“No one knew it at the time, but the tide of war in the Pacific had turned because of the heroism and sheer determination of those who fought on June 4, 1942,” said Dr. James M. D’Angelo, president and chairman, International Midway Memorial Foundation.

“It’s not hard to imagine what we would’ve heard if we’d have been here this day 65 years ago. I can hear the words now. ‘Many planes heading toward Midway! Bearing 3-2-0 distance, 1-5-0! Tally-ho hawks at angel 12! Pilots, man your planes! Don’t let this carrier escape!’”

Until June 4, 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy dominated the Pacific. Their plan to cripple the remaining carrier forces of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and capture Midway was to serve as a stepping stone for future attacks on U.S. homeland soil.

“‘This scheme of conquest was the most enticing and ambitious and far reaching in modern history… It almost worked, and might well have succeeded but for the United States Navy,’” said Adm. Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, quoting the late American Historian, Rear Adm. Samuel Eliot Morison, on the significance of the Battle of Midway.

“Our adversary did not count on us breaking their naval code, out-flanking them or locating them on time. They did not count on fourteen hundred supremely dedicated shipyard workers at Pearl Harbor (who) performed a miracle by getting USS Yorktown battle-ready in two days They did not count on, nor could they imagine, our resolve or the bravery of our Sailors and of our Marines. Their spirit and determination carried the day and, when it was all said and done, the Japanese had lost four aircraft carriers, a heavy cruiser, three destroyers, 300 planes and thousands of men,” said Willard.

In turn, America lost the carrier USS Yorktown (CV 5), destroyer USS Hammann (DD 412), 145 planes, and 307 brave men.

“It was a miraculous victory by any standard,” said Willard.

The Japanese navy would never again regain the offensive in the war against the United States.

“For those of you who are here who fought in that battle, I’m honored to be in your presence,” said the Honorable Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior. “All Americans owe you a debt of gratitude for your service and your sacrifice.”

In the closing moments of the ceremony, Battle of Midway survivors Rear Adm. John Besson, Ensign William Tunstall, and Chief Petty Officer George Chockley were presented a ceremonial wreath by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.