This year marks the 74th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway. On June 4th 1942, a vastly outnumbered and outgunned
U.S. Fleet defeated the finest of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the waters off a small Pacific Atoll named Midway. Their
daring combination of intelligence, tactics, courage and sacrifice forever changed the course of the war and world history.
In 1999 then Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jay L. Johnson announced that beginning with the 2000 observance, June 4 would become as significant as Oct. 13 -- the Navy's birthday. "Twice a year, we will pause as a Navy to reflect upon our proud heritage and to build in all hands a renewed awareness of our tradition and history," Johnson said.
For the past 15 years, victory at the Battle of Midway has been celebrated on the battle's anniversary with a formal dinner in Washington, DC. This dinner is sponsored by a consortium of nonprofit Navy-related Associations and Foundations, listed on the Event Sponsors tab.
One other event being planned to celebrate the Battle of Midway is a ceremony at the U.S. Navy memorial on the morning of 3 June, hosted by the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.