Sailors assigned to Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Lackland at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) commemorated the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Midway June 3. The Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942.

Under Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Navy codebreakers identified Midway as the object of enemy intentions. Despite being outnumbered, Nimitz concentrated his forces around Midway and made use of the island as if it were a fourth aircraft carrier. After several days of battle, the Japanese navy retreated having lost four of their aircraft carriers.

The battle is often referred to as the turning point in the Pacific during World War II. The victory created a momentum shift where U.S. naval forces became an insurmountable offensive force against the Japanese. Nimitz cited the battle as being "a glorious page in our history."

"America's Navy is the unmatched, prominent global sea power today due to the Sailors and Marines who took the fight to the enemy at the Battle of Midway," said NTTC Lackland Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Martin, in his remarks to the crew. "The Japanese navy may have outnumbered America in ships, planes, and Sailors, but not in bold and decisive leadership. Our Sailors stand the watch today, thanks to those who sailed and fought at the Battle of Midway and in the Pacific campaign during World War II."

"The ceremony today was a great representation of what the United States Navy stands for and its strong sense of pride in its rich history and traditions," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Ryan Westfield, who served as the master of ceremonies.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 23,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world where training breeds confidence.

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For more information about the Center for Security Forces, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/csf/, http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf/ or http://www.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ/.