Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Monument to the Battle of Midway

Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

1. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker

Inscription.

Monument to the Battle of Midway. . [Front top]: Dedicated to the Preservation of the Memory of Midway where one of the most decisive naval battles in military history was fought June 4, 1942. The day when the American Spirit reached unparalleled heights and, in so doing, save democracy for the western world., [Front, lower left]: United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Task Force 17 Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher Tactical Commander of U.S. Task Force, Carrier Yorktown (CV-5) Fighting Three 25 F4F-4 (Wildcat) Bombing Three 17 SBD-3 (Dauntless) Bombing Five 16 SBD-3 (Dauntless) Torpedo Three 12 TBD-1 (Devastator), Cruisers Astoria Portland, Destroyers Hammann Hughes Morris Anderson Russell, [Front, lower right]: Task Force - 16 Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Commander, Carriers , Enterprise (CV-6) Fighting Six 27 F4F-4 (Wildcat) Bombing Six 15 SBD-2, -5 (Dauntless) Scouting Six 17 SBD-3 (Dauntless) Torpedo Six 14 TBD-1 (Devastator), Hornet (CV-8) Fighting Eight 27 F4F-4 (Wildcat) Bombing Eight 18 SBD-3 (Dauntless) Scouting Eight 15 SBD-3 (Dauntless) Torpedo Eight 15 TBD-1 (Devastator), Cruisers New Orleans · Minneapolis · Vincennes · Northampton · Pensacola · Atlanta, Destroyers Phelps · Worden · Monaghan · Aylwin · Balch · Conyngham · Benham · Ellet · Maury, Oiler Group Oilers Cimarron · Platte , Destroyers Dewey · Monssen, [Reverse, lower left]: Midway Island Aircraft Marine Fighting Group 22 , VMF – 221 20 F2A-3 Buffalo Fighters 4 F4F-3 Wildcat Fighters, VMSB-241 16 SBD-2 Dauntless Dive Bombers 11 SB2U-3 Vindicator Scout Bombers, Detachment of VII Army Air Corps 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) 2 B-26 Marauder Medium Bombers 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) 2 B-26 Marauder Medium Bombers 431st Bombardment Squadron 26th 31st 42nd 72nd 394th Bombardment Squadrons 16 B-17 Flying Fortress Heavy Bombers, Naval Shore Based Aircraft VT-8 Detachment 6 TBF Avenger Torpedo Bombers PBY Catalina Flying Boat Squadrons VP-44, VP-23 VP-24 VP-51 VP-11 VP-12 VP-72 VP-91 11 PBY-5 11 PBY-5A, Midway Local Defenses 6th Defense Battalion, USMC 3rd Defense Battalion, USMC Companies “C” and “D” 2nd Marine Raider Battalion 22nd and 23rd Provisional Marine Companies, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 PT-20 . PT-21 . PT-22 . PT-24 . PT-25 . PT-26 . PT-27 . PT-28 . PT-29 . PT-30 . PT-42 District Patrol Craft YP-284 . YP-290 . YP-345 . YP-350, [Reverse, lower right]: Midway Submarine Force Nautilus · Growler · Cachalot · Flying Fish · Tambor · Trout · Grayling · Grouper · Dolphin · Gato · Cuttlefish · Gudgeon · Grenadier · Narwhal · Plunger · Trigger · Tarpon · Pike · Finback, Support Forces Codebreakers at Pearl Harbor Unit “Hypo” French Frigate Shoals Seaplane Tenders Ballard · Thornton Yorktown Salvage Destroyer Gwin Minesweeper Vireo Submarine Tender Fulton Midway Relief Fueling Unit Oiler Guadalupe Destroyers Blue · Ralph Talbot, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard , [Reverse, top]: “They had no right to win. Yet they did, and in doing so they changed the course of a war. More than that, they added a new name – Midway – to that small list that inspires men by example… Like Marathon, the Armada, the Marne. Even against the greatest of odds, there is something in the human spirit – a magic blend of skill, faith and falor – that can lift men from certain defeat to incredible victory.” Walter Lord, Incredible Victory, 1967, [Left (as viewed from the front) end cap]: The Class of 1942, U.S. Naval Academy, sponsors this monument so that the Battle of Midway may be studied, appreciated and remembered by future Midshipment and all who pass here by. Dedicated 3 October 1996. [Right (as viewed from the front) end cap]: Monument proposal and design provided by The International Midway Memorial Foundation based on the monument erected on Midway Island by the IMMF on 31 August 1995.

[Front top]:
Dedicated to the Preservation of the Memory of Midway where one of the most decisive naval battles in military history was fought
June 4, 1942
The day when the American Spirit reached unparalleled heights and, in so doing, save democracy for the western world.

[Front, lower left]:
United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief

* Task Force 17 *
Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher
Tactical Commander of U.S. Task Force

* Carrier *
Yorktown (CV-5)
Fighting Three 25 F4F-4 (Wildcat)
Bombing Three 17 SBD-3 (Dauntless)
Bombing Five 16 SBD-3 (Dauntless)
Torpedo Three 12 TBD-1 (Devastator)

* Cruisers *
Astoria * Portland

* Destroyers *
Hammann * Hughes * Morris * Anderson * Russell

[Front, lower right]:
* Task Force - 16 *
Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Commander

* Carriers
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Enterprise (CV-6)
Fighting Six 27 F4F-4 (Wildcat)
Bombing Six 15 SBD-2, -5 (Dauntless)
Scouting Six 17 SBD-3 (Dauntless)
Torpedo Six 14 TBD-1 (Devastator)

Hornet (CV-8)
Fighting Eight 27 F4F-4 (Wildcat)
Bombing Eight 18 SBD-3 (Dauntless)
Scouting Eight 15 SBD-3 (Dauntless)
Torpedo Eight 15 TBD-1 (Devastator)

* Cruisers *
New Orleans · Minneapolis · Vincennes · Northampton · Pensacola · Atlanta

* Destroyers *
Phelps · Worden · Monaghan · Aylwin · Balch · Conyngham · Benham · Ellet · Maury

* Oiler Group *
* Oilers *
Cimarron · Platte

* Destroyers *
Dewey · Monssen

[Reverse, lower left]:
* Midway Island Aircraft*
* Marine Fighting Group 22 *

* VMF – 221 *
20 F2A-3 Buffalo Fighters
4 F4F-3 Wildcat Fighters

* VMSB-241 *
16 SBD-2 Dauntless Dive Bombers
11 SB2U-3 Vindicator Scout Bombers

*

Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

2. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Front, top]

Detachment of VII Army Air Corps *
69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
2 B-26 Marauder Medium Bombers
18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium)
2 B-26 Marauder Medium Bombers
431st Bombardment Squadron
26th * 31st * 42nd * 72nd * 394th Bombardment Squadrons
16 B-17 Flying Fortress Heavy Bombers

* Naval Shore Based Aircraft *
* VT-8 Detachment *
6 TBF Avenger Torpedo Bombers
* PBY Catalina Flying Boat Squadrons *
VP-44, VP-23 VP-24 VP-51 VP-11 VP-12 VP-72 VP-91
11 PBY-5 * 11 PBY-5A

* Midway Local Defenses*
* 6th Defense Battalion, USMC *
* 3rd Defense Battalion, USMC *
Companies “C” and “D” * 2nd Marine Raider Battalion
22nd and 23rd Provisional Marine Companies

* Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 *
PT-20 • PT-21 • PT-22 • PT-24 • PT-25 • PT-26 • PT-27 • PT-28 • PT-29 • PT-30 • PT-42
* District Patrol Craft *
YP-284 • YP-290 • YP-345 • YP-350

[Reverse, lower
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

3. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Front, lower left]
right]:
* Midway Submarine Force *
Nautilus · Growler · Cachalot · Flying Fish · Tambor · Trout · Grayling · Grouper · Dolphin · Gato · Cuttlefish · Gudgeon · Grenadier · Narwhal · Plunger · Trigger · Tarpon · Pike · Finback

* Support Forces *
* Codebreakers at Pearl Harbor *
Unit “Hypo”
* French Frigate Shoals *
* Seaplane Tenders *
Ballard · Thornton
* Yorktown Salvage *
* Destroyer *
Gwin
* Minesweeper *
Vireo
* Submarine Tender *
Fulton
* Midway Relief Fueling Unit *
* Oiler *
Guadalupe
* Destroyers *
Blue · Ralph Talbot

* Pearl Harbor Navy Yard *

[Reverse, top]:
“They had no right to win. Yet they did, and in doing so they changed the course of a war. More than that, they added a new name – Midway – to that small list that inspires men by example… Like Marathon, the Armada, the Marne. Even against the greatest of odds,
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

4. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Front, lower right]
there is something in the human spirit – a magic blend of skill, faith and falor – that can lift men from certain defeat to incredible victory.”
Walter Lord, Incredible Victory, 1967

[Left (as viewed from the front) end cap]:
The Class of 1942, U.S. Naval Academy, sponsors this monument so that the Battle of Midway may be studied, appreciated and remembered by future Midshipment and all who pass here by.
Dedicated 3 October 1996
[Right (as viewed from the front) end cap]:
Monument proposal and design provided by The International Midway Memorial Foundation based on the monument erected on Midway Island by the IMMF on 31 August 1995.

Erected 1996 by U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1942.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1861.

Location. 38° 58.873′ N, 76° 29.085′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is at the
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

5. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Back, lower left]
intersection of Buchanan Road and Blake Road, on the right when traveling east on Buchanan Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annapolis MD 21402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dahlgren Rifle 30-Pounder, Invented by Rear Admiral Dahlgren (a few steps from this marker); Centennial of the United States Navy Submarine Force (a few steps from this marker); Japanese Torpedo (within shouting distance of this marker); 75mm. Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); On this spot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joseph Nicholson Home Site and Bandstand (about 300 feet away); Spanish Gun (about 400 feet away); Zimmerman Bandstand (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.

More about this marker. Near this marker there are two additional information markers outlining the events of June 3-7, 1942. Their pictures are included below, and their inscriptions read:
Battle of Midway
June 3-7, 1942
“Incredible Victory”
Japanese
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

6. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Back, lower right]
Losses
Ships: Four Aircraft Carriers, One Heavy Cruiser · Aircraft: 256 · Men: 2500

United States Losses
Ships: One Aircraft Carrier, One Destroyer · Aircraft: 144 · Men: 307

A Japanese account of the Battle of Midway concisely sums up this momentous engagement, “Midway: the battle that doomed Japan.” From this battle on, the Japanese, who had been on the offensive since the attack on Pearl Harbor six months earlier, were on the defensive until their surrender three years later. In the darkest days of World War II, the lesson of Midway stood out like a bright beacon: brilliant inspired planners, courageous commanders and heroic warriors combined against overwhelming odds to achieve an incredible victory.
Battle of Midway
June 3-7, 1942
“Incredible Victory”
One of the most decisive sea battles of all time occurred on June 3-7, 1942. A smaller naval force of American ships including the carriers USS Yorktown (CV-5), USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8) faced a Japanese armada which included
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

7. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Back, top]
four aircraft carriers. Aided by communications intelligence, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz developed a strategy for ambushing the Japanese fleet. A plan brilliantly executed by Rear Admirals Frank and Raymond A. Spruance.

* June 3 * Japanese Northern Force attacks Aleutian Islands.

*June 4 * At 6:40 AM, Japanese carrier planes strike Midway Island, which is fiercely defended by Marine air and ground defense forces. From 8:00 AM to 10:20 AM, valiant air attacks by navy, Marine and Army Air Corps planes based on Midway and forty-one torpedo planes (without fighter support) from all three American carriers strike Japanese Task Force. At 9:55 AM, Enterprise dive bombers detect the Japanese destroyer Arashi, which has just dropped depth charges on USS Nautilus, and follow her back to the Japanese Carrier Task Force. At 10:24 AM, dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown arrive fortunately at the same time over the Japanese carriers. Unchallenged by Combat Air Patrol which is engaging the Yorktown torpedo bombers at sea level, they mortally wound the carriers Akagi, Kaga, and
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

8. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Left end cap]
Soryu. In five fateful minutes the outcome of the battle is decided. At 12:00 PM, Hiryu’s planes score three direct hits on Yorktown. At 2:45 PM, planes from the same carrier inflict two torpedo hits on Yorktown, leaving her seriously damaged. At 5:05 PM that day planes from Enterprise (including a Yorktown squadron) strike Hiryu and leave her burning. Later that night, Soryu and Kaga sink.

* June 5 * Akagi and Hiryu sink, heavy cruiser Mikuma is damaged in collision with sistership Mogami.

*June 6 * The Japanese submarine I-168 sinks USS Hammann and mortally damages Yorktown with two torpedo hits. Planes from Enterprise and Hornet sink heavy cruiser Mikuma and damage destroyers Asashio and Arashio.

* June 7 * Japanese naval forces occupy the island of Attu and Kiska. The remainder of the armada is in full retreat. 6:00 AM, Yorktown sinks.

Also see . . . International Midway Memorial Foundation. Learn about the Battle of Midway. (Submitted on March 24, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

9. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker [Right end cap]
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

10. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

11. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

12. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., March 15, 2008

13. Monument to the Battle of Midway Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,577 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 10. submitted on March 23, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 11, 12. submitted on March 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 13. submitted on March 23, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.