Midway memorials

ANA salutes its members and squadrons around the country for their 60th Anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Midway. Midway was the battle that turned the tide in the Pacific, therafter putting the Japanese on the defensive and leading to the ultimate Allied victory.

In Washington, the old heroes walked proudly, displaying profound respect for their shipmates lost on June 4th, 1942 during the epic Battle of Midway. They also saluted those shipmates who have since passed on. They had gathered at the Washington Navy Yard for the annual wreath laying ceremony memorializing the sacrifices of those who fought 60 years ago in the greatest aircraft carrier battle in history.

Standing before the gathering which included carrier veterans from every subsequent American conflict, they gently placed red carnations on the memorial wreath and reverently saluted. They listened intently as the narrator described the battle, four of them rising individually to relate their memories of what they had seen aboard Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet.

One of the speakers was ANA trustee Bill Surgi, whose experiences aboard Yorktown were documented in the Wings of Gold spring issue. Bill kept the rapt attention of the audience as he told his story, one of a typical American carrier sailor caught up in a world changing event.

It was a knowledgeable audience, representing several generations from the community of Naval Aviation. Active duty personnel, especially from the Director, Air Warfare staff, turned out in numbers. They listened intently, clearly understanding the fierce pride in accomplishment that derives from serving the country in time of war. The bond between the various generations who served in Naval Aviation was abundantly clear.

Numerous ANA members organized corporate support, spread the word to ensure attendance and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to mix with the Midway heroes at the excellent post-ceremony reception held in the Navy Museum.

In San Francisco the Battle of Midway Committee held a Dining In to commemorate the battle. RADM Tom Brown, USN (Ret) is chairman of the committee and served as President of the Mess. The guest speaker was Admiral Vern Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations. Members of ANA, The Navy League and other veteran organizations sponsored the event.

Admiral Clark told the 27 Midway veterans present, "When the nation called ofter the attack on Pearl Harbor, you answered. You held the line bravely while your country mobilized for war. It was your turn to make history." CNO presented each Battle of Midway honoree with a signed letter of appreciation and with a specially designed gold-on-silver Battle of Midway medallion affixed with a neck ribbon. In his remarks the Admiral spoke directly to the veterans and said, "I want you to know how important it was for you to set the example.. people who refuse to be defeated. who refuse to give up the principals and the values they hold dear... (and) You would be proud of your successors. They are truly awesome. They're just trying to reach out and follow in your footsteps."

RADM Brown, who commanded a Navy oiler that refueled a patrol gunboat commanded by then Lieutenant Vern Clark, presented the CNO with a Battle of Midway commemorative coin in an engraved presentation case. Each of the more than 200 guests also received a commemorative coin.

In Sarasota, Florida, CAPT Allard "Slim" Russell, USN (Ret), distinguished former CO of ANA's Golden Pelican Squadron, headed a group of veterans' organizations, including ANA, the Navy League, and TROA, to sponsor the first Sarasota Battle of Midway Commemoration. Over 400 guests were present, and many more were unable to attend because the house capacity was filled.

Guests arrived to pre-lunch refreshments amid displays of WW II memorabilia, including the flight log and jacket of CAPT Russell. Following presentation of colors by a local JROTC unit, guests began their lunch as two large screens lit up with actual newsreel coverage of the Battle of Midway. Those scenes held the attention of everyone and set the mood of the ferocious battle fought on June 4-5, 1942.

Following lunch, RADM PD. Smith, USN (Ret), President of ANA, introduced the guest speaker, CAPT Bert Earnest, USN (Ret). Following flight training, CAPT Earnest was commissioned Ensign in December 1941. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 8. The majority of the seasoned aviators in Torpedo 8 went aboard the USS Hornet in their TBDs and headed for the Pacific. Earnest and other junior aviators received new TBF-ls enroute to the squadron and ended up as a detachment on the island of Midway in late May 1942 (the story of how they got there is a tale in itself). ENS Ernest was standing strip alert on the morning of 4 June when the island got the word that the Japanese Task Force had been sighted.

His det immediately launched and soon located the Japanese carriers. They were the only U.S. planes in the area and inbound to the carriers they were intercepted by Japanese Zeroes. The other five TBFs were shot down with no survivors. Earnest's plane was badly shot up and his turret gunner, Jay Manning, was killed. The TBF's controls became unresponsive and the plane started down towards the water. Earnest was able to get the bombay open and drop his torpedo (which he does not believe hit anything) before preparing to ditch. Shortly before hitting the water he discovered he could control his aircraft with the trim tabs. He was able to limp back to Midway and landed safely with his wounded tunnel gunner, Harry Ferrier. (Ferrier later retired as a Commander. Coincidently, CDR Ferrier was one of three speakers at the ANA Whidbey Island Midway 60th Commemoration.) Earnest did not receive the notoriety of the other pilot survivor of Torpedo 8 - ENS George Gay. Gay flew off the Hornet that day and the entire squadron was lost. Gay survived his crash and watched the entire battle while floating in the sea. After his rescue the Navy sent Gay around the country to tell of the battle. CAPT Earnest went on to have a distinguished career, first at Guadalcanal (where he flew with Slim Russell), winning two Navy Crosses and the Purple Heart, among other awards. CAPT Earnest ended his remarks by saying, "I guess you can call me the other sole survivor of the Battle of Midway".

And finally, a very unique Commemorative Ceremony was held on the island of Midway itself. One of the five principals was VADM William D. Houser, USN (Ret). ADM Houser, a charter ANA member and long-time supporter, has been the key figure in educating the public on the strategic importance of the Battle of Midway. He was joined on the island by James M. D'Angelo, MD, President of the International Midway Memorial Foundation, Honorable Hansford T Johnson, Assis-- tant Secretary of the Navy, Honorable H. Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary of the Interior (the agency now in charge of Midway), and RADM Anthony L. Winns, USN, COMPATRECFORPAC.

Following their remarks, the distinguished gentlemen laid a wreath at the Midway Memorial, flanked by the US. Pacific Fleet Honor Guard and Band (as well as several inquisitive Gooney birds). Many veterans attended, and hopefully the event will open this unique and important small atoll to the public for future commemorations. The Battle of Midway is an historic event that should never be forgotten.

Other ANA squadrons commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway, but unfortunately WOG was not furnished with details of these events. Well Done to all!

Copyright Association of Naval Aviation Summer 2002
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