Woonsocket in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Battle of Midway
Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 27, 2022
1. Battle of Midway Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Midway. .
Battle of Midway June 1942. After a stalemate against the United States Navy in the Coral Sea in May 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy turned its attention to a campaign to seize Midway Atoll in the central Pacific. Control of Midway - only 1,500 miles from Hawaii - would provide the Japanese with a base to again take action against Pearl Harbor and eliminate the U.S. Navy from the Pacific. The Japanese planned to lure American aircraft carriers into a trap but the United States had broken their naval codes, knew Midway was the objective and planned an ambush of their own. Heavily outnumbered in ships and aircraft, the Americans sought the advantage of surprise to counter the Japanese Navy. Midway and its limited number of U.S. Marines defenders were hit hard and often by airstrikes in preparation for landing by 5,000 Japanese troops from transports off shore. Midway stood fast and launched attacks by nearly every aircraft based there against the Imperial Navy but without any success. Meanwhile, incessant search patrols sought the location of the main Japanese striking force at sea. When finally located, an all out aerial assault was launched by the Americans. Initial results were highly discouraging. Of 41 torpedo bombers from the three American aircraft carriers, only 6 survived. However, not knowing the location of the American fleet and the threat it posed, the Japanese were rearming their aircraft for another bombing raid against Midway when American dive bombers appeared overhead. The Japanese were unprepared for the second attack and in five minutes the entire tide of the Pacific war turned in favor of the Americans. Three Japanese aircraft carriers were smashed and burning and the fourth would also be sunk. With the loss of their aircraft carriers all of which had participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor only six months earlier - the Japanese also lost hundreds of their irreplaceable, battle-seasoned pilots. The U.S. lost the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown but the incredible American victory at Midway was "the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare" and the Japanese would no longer enjoy their unchecked conquests in the Pacific.
Battle of Midway June 1942
After a stalemate against the United States Navy in the Coral Sea in May 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy turned its attention to a campaign to seize Midway Atoll in the central Pacific. Control of Midway - only 1,500 miles from Hawaii - would provide the Japanese with a base to again take action against Pearl Harbor and eliminate the U.S. Navy from the Pacific. The Japanese planned to lure American aircraft carriers into a trap but the United States had broken their naval codes, knew Midway was the objective and planned an ambush of their own. Heavily outnumbered in ships and aircraft, the Americans sought the advantage of surprise to counter the Japanese Navy. Midway and its limited number of U.S. Marines defenders were hit hard and often by airstrikes in preparation for landing by 5,000 Japanese troops from transports off shore. Midway stood fast and launched attacks by nearly every aircraft based there against the Imperial Navy but without any success. Meanwhile, incessant search patrols sought the location of the main Japanese striking force at sea. When finally located, an all out aerial assault was launched by the Americans. Initial results were highly discouraging. Of 41 torpedo bombers from the three American aircraft carriers, only 6 survived. However, not knowing
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the location of the American fleet and the threat it posed, the Japanese were rearming their aircraft for another bombing raid against Midway when American dive bombers appeared overhead. The Japanese were unprepared for the second attack and in five minutes the entire tide of the Pacific war turned in favor of the Americans. Three Japanese aircraft carriers were smashed and burning and the fourth would also be sunk. With the loss of their aircraft carriers all of which had participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor only six months earlier - the Japanese also lost hundreds of their irreplaceable, battle-seasoned pilots. The U.S. lost the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown but the incredible American victory at Midway was "the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare" and the Japanese would no longer enjoy their unchecked conquests in the Pacific.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1942.
Location. 42° 0.443′ N, 71° 31.696′ W. Marker is in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in Providence County. Memorial is on River Street north of 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located next to American Legion Fairmount Post 85. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 870 River Street, Woonsocket RI 02895, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. D-Day (here, next to this marker); General George S. Patton, Jr.
3. Markers at the American Legion Fairmount Post 85 Veterans Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
