Key West The Newspaper

75th Anniversary Battle of Midway Ceremony at Bayview Park
June 5, 2017 9 a.m.
Public is Invited

Naval Air Station Key West invites the public to attend a ceremony in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway Monday, June 5 at 9 a.m. at the bandstand at Bayview Park.

The ceremony will feature remarks from NAS Key West Executive Officer Cmdr. Gregory Brotherton, Command Chaplain Lt. Scott Mason, and Master Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) James King, NAS Key West’s Honor Guard, a recap of the battle and a bell-ringing.

The Battle of Midway occurred June 3-7, 1942, and was the turning point for World War II in the Pacific. The victory at sea cemented the role of naval aviation in combat, and this celebration affords us the opportunity to commemorate the heroic actions of the fighting men of the Pacific Fleet. Celebrating the hard-earned victory at Midway gives us an opportunity to learn more about this pivotal battle and the brave veterans who fought there and to remind us of what makes our Navy great.

“Hailed as the most decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theater in World War II, the historic victory at Midway highlights core attributes of Sailors and Marines that continue today: toughness, initiative, accountability and integrity,” said NAS Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby Baker. “As U.S. Navy ships and units around the globe commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, we will honor the brave men who fought courageously to sink and destroy four Japanese aircraft carriers and one heavy destroyer. This event will also help to inspire future generations to greatness by highlighting the momentous efforts of these great Americans displaying the unrivaled warrior ethos of carrier aviation. Please join us on Monday to honor this historic event.”

For more on the Battle of Midway, go to www.history.navy.mil and find #Midway75 on social media. For more about NAS Key West, go to www.cnic.navy.mil/keywest or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.