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By Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah K. Murphy
U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard, speaks about the 66th commemoration of the Battle of Midway in a new "Rat-Pac Report" podcast posted on the Pacific Fleet Web site, http://www.cpf.navy.mil, on June 4.
The Battle of Midway was the turning point of the war in the Pacific, ending a period of Japanese initiative.
"As a pivotal battle in World War II, it probably ranks number one," said Willard. "It's when the war shifted in America's favor in a great many ways."
Ceremonies around the nation commemorate this historic event by honoring local Battle of Midway veterans and guest speakers to talk about the importance of remembering Midway.
"This year is the 66th commemoration of the Battle of Midway," said Willard. "Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in a commemoration on the island of Midway when we had survivors dating back 65 years in our history that were actually present on that day."
According to The Naval Historical Center, American forces, including USS Yorktown (CV 5), USS Hornet (CV 8) and USS Enterprise (CV 6) launched their torpedo squadrons on four of the Japanese carriers the morning of June 4, 1942. The destruction of the Japanese Carrier Strike Force compelled Commander in Chief, Combined Fleet Adm. Isoruku Yamamoto to abandon his Midway invasion plans and retire westward.
Until that day, the Imperial Japanese Navy dominated the Pacific with plans to cripple the remaining carrier forces of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and capture Midway to serve as a stepping stone for future attacks on U.S. homeland soil.
"It was a stark and wonderful day as a turning point in World War II and those Soldiers and Sailors and Marines that served on Midway Island and those Sailors, aviators and seamen that served on our aircraft carriers under Admiral Spruance in the actual event should remain in our memory and our thoughts forevermore, as a Navy ... "
Willard is scheduled to speak at the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony at The Midway Museum in San Diego on June 7.
A new "Rat-Pac Report" is available for download on http://www.cpf.navy.mil every Wednesday to communicate a variety of topics to the Pacific Fleet. These podcasts focuses on the commander's vision, mission and guiding principles, as well as diversity, leadership, training and the environment.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2008 17:39 |
| Story ID: | 20198 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 163 |
This work, Commander of the Pacific Fleet's Podcast Honors Battle of Midway, by PO1 Sarah Murphy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
