Six Navy veterans from the Battle of Midway, along with more than 200 active-duty service members, veterans and civilians attended the 75th Anniversary Battle of Midway Celebration, June 5, held at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Charles "Chip" Rock, commandant, Naval District Washington (NDW), began the official ceremony by placing a wreath in remembrance of the Sailors and Marines who fought and died in the battle.

"This afternoon we reflect on and celebrate the accomplishments of those brave service members who fought and won the Battle of Midway," said Rock. "We are forever grateful for the bravery and sacrifices that you, your shipmates and your families demonstrated during Midway, and every day since."

The Battle of Midway began on June 4, 1942, roughly six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The Japanese fleet hoped to draw out and attack American aircraft carriers that were at sea on missions or had escaped Pearl Harbor during or just after the attack.

American naval forces, through intelligence reports, radio communications and code breaking, learned about the imminent attack on the two small islands.

"When we broke the Japanese naval codes, we were at the most distinctive advantage we could have hoped for," said retired Chief Yeoman Willard "Bill" Norberg.

Norberg served on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of Midway. During the ceremony he was presented a copy of the 75th anniversary proclamation by Rock.

"I don't think I did enough to deserve it, but I am proud of being a patriot," Norberg said.

Admiral Chester Nimitz ordered all nearby ships, aircraft, pilots and support personnel to advance to Midway to surprise the advancing Japanese forces. On the morning of June 4, American forces located the four Japanese aircraft carriers and attacked while they were refueling and readying aircraft for an attack. By that night, the end of the major engagement, all four Japanese carriers were sunk or sinking, more than 250 enemy aircraft were destroyed, and around 5,000 enemy troops were killed or missing.

The Battle of Midway is widely considered to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific. At the end of the battle on June 7, Japanese naval and aerial power had been significantly diminished. The Japanese launched no further attacks, and without available reinforcements, the remaining flotilla fled.

Following the battle, Nimitz notably said, "Pearl Harbor has now been partially avenged. Vengeance will not be complete until Japanese sea power has been reduced to impotence. We have made substantial progress in that direction. Perhaps we will be forgiven if we claim we are about midway to our objective!"

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