NWS Yorktown Commorates the Battle of Midway

YORKTOWN, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown commemorated the Battle of Midway with a ceremony at the Scudder Hall Galley, June 4.

The ceremony recognized the 71st anniversary of the World War II battle where the U.S. Navy achieved victory over the Japanese fleet and where over 307 Sailors and Marines lost their lives.

"We are here to recognize the sacrifices and heroism of the brave Sailors and Marines who were there defending our great nation from Japanese aggression," said Master-At-Arms 1st Class Orlando St. Louis, NWS Yorktown 2012 Sailor of The Year. "Without their efforts the war would have been lost in the Pacific."

Capt. Lowell Crow, commanding officer of NWS Yorktown, praised the courage of the men who served during the battle.

"These were true service members who did not care about making the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the heat of battle," said Crow. "Their pride and commitment in defending our country and the Navy inspire us in the present to serve with the same honor and distinction that they did."

Alan Bobbe is a retired aviation boatswain's mate 1st class and a veteran of World War II, having served on the escort aircraft carrier USS Chenango (CVE 28) in the Pacific. Bobbe was the guest of honor and spoke about the importance of honoring the veterans of the Battle of Midway that are still alive today.

"There are not many veterans left from this historic battle and they deserve the respect that they earned serving their country and the Navy," said Bobbe. "I never participated in the battle itself, but the victory they achieved gave me the pride and courage to enlist and do my part to defend my nation. I hope that future generations will never forget what happened during those fateful days in the summer of 1942."

The commemoration concluded with a wreath laying ceremony where Bobbe, Crow, and St. Louis presented the wreath to pay homage to the veterans and the fallen from the battle.

"This wreath represents the honor, courage, and commitment that these men had in the most terrible of situations that they had to go through," said Bobbe.

The Battle of Midway took place June 4 to 7, 1942 where an American task force including the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (CV 6), USS Yorktown (CV 5), and USS Hornet (CV 8) stopped the Imperial Japanese Navy's advance towards Hawaii and the west coast of the United States. The victory came at a price though with the loss of Yorktown, the destroyer USS Hammond (DD 412) and 150 aircraft.

"Today reminds everyone that the price of freedom is high and we must be ready at any time to defend our country like those men did," said Crow. "We will never forget what they did for us, and we will always have the utmost respect for those who served during that terrible time."

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacennorfolk/.