Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston –
Staff and students from the Navy Medicine Training Support
Center gathered outside the Anderson Hall hospital corpsman schoolhouse on
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston June 7 for a ceremony to commemorate
the Battle of Midway.
“We stand here today to honor one of the greatest and most
important battles in history,” said Petty
Officer 1st Class Tristan McCauley, NMTSC instructor and the
event’s master of ceremonies. “In June 1942, the Battle of Midway raged in the
Pacific and was the turning point in World War II. The men and women who fought
that day changed the course of our history, our naval heritage, the nation and
the world.”
The decisive battle took place June 4-7, 1942, following an
incredible effort by U.S. Navy codebreakers who intercepted Japanese plans to
attack the island of Midway, the last outpost between Japan and America’s fleet
in Hawaii. Because of the interception, American leaders were able to
strategically place two fleets off the coast of Midway and catch the Japanese
by surprise.
“It demonstrated the power and vast capability of naval
aviation and the resolve of a nation that was awakened by the attack on Pearl
Harbor,” McCauley said. “America needed to win this battle. Six months after
Pearl Harbor, the Japanese were positioning their fleet for more aggressive
attacks on the United States with the intent on destroying the Pacific fleet
and threating the West Coast of America.”
The American fleet crippled Japan’s navy, which ultimately
lost four aircraft carriers, one cruiser and 292 aircraft. U.S. losses were
significantly less, consisting of one carrier, one destroyer and 145 planes.
Casualties consisted of approximately 2,500 Japanese and 300 American lives.
“I’m so proud that we’ve taken this time to talk about it
and remember it and look at the sacrifice of those who served during that
time,” said Navy Capt. Denise Smith, NMTSC commanding officer. “It took
dedication, teamwork, tenacity and courage from all of those that fought in
this battle. And they did it so that we could move on to victory.”
“Today we honor the warriors and we remember their great
victory and tremendous sacrifice,” said McCauley. “The Navy’s core values of
honor, courage, and commitment have been reflected through victories throughout
history. And today, we honor the men and women who turned the tide of war in
the Pacific in our nation’s favor.”
During the ceremony, Smith placed a wreath outside the
schoolhouse doors to honor the sacrifices of those service members who paid the
ultimate sacrifice in order to ensure victory for the U.S.