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Chief of Naval Operations Speaks at Battle of Midway Commemoration
Chief of Naval Operations Speaks at Battle of Midway Commemoration
By Photographer’s Mate Airman
Orlando Ramos, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific.
San Diego, California -- (NNS)
June 28, 2006 -- Chief of Naval Operations
Adm. Mike Mullen addressed hundreds of Sailors and Battle of Midway veterans
aboard the USS Midway (CV 41) aircraft musuem June 3, as part of the
commemoration of the 64th anniversary of the historic battle.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman
Apprentice Joshua Valcarcel
"We stand in the company of men who remember Midway not only
as a heroic victory, but also as the bloody, ferocious fight for freedom," said
Mullen.
“I believe the most important reason we won the Battle of
Midway was not by chance or luck, but because of the miraculous character of the
men of Midway and the common commitment to liberty, country and each other,”
said Mullen.
Prior to the Battle of Midway, Japan was on the offensive,
capturing territory throughout Asia and the Pacific. The Japanese had planned
to take over Midway, use it as an advanced base and entrap and destroy the
U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Because of U.S. intelligence breakthroughs, Japan’s plans were thwarted when
the U.S. Pacific Fleet surprised the Japanese forces, sinking four Japanese
carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor six months earlier.
“Midway was a defining battle; it was the first time a
decisive victory occurred where the ships involved didn’t come into contact with
each other,” said John McLaughlin, president of the Midway Museum and a retired
rear admiral.
“This was emblematic of the transition of our great Navy from a
battleship-centric Navy to an aircraft carrier–centric one,” said McLaughlin.
“It completely changed the course of battle in the Pacific. We went from being
in a defensive posture to an offensive posture. It was truly a monumental battle.”
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