Reps. Courtney, Wittman Commemorate 80 Years Since the Battle of Midway Alongside U.S. Navy Leadership

Press Release

Today, Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Ranking Member, hosted Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Vice Admiral Yancy Lindsey (Commander, Naval Installations Command), Vice Admiral Sean Buck (Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy), and others for a Commemoration Ceremony marking the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway was a historic and immensely consequential air-sea battle that took place June 3rd--6th, 1942, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The U.S. Navy's victory over the Imperial Japanese Navy turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific Theater. It meant the survival of a critical U.S. naval base located at Midway Island, and dashed Japan's hopes of neutralizing the U.S. as a naval power. Reps. Courtney and Wittman are also the Co-Chairs of the House Shipbuilding Caucus, and this evening they highlighted the important role U.S. shipyard workers at Pearl Harbor played in ensuring America's naval fleet was fit to fight, as well as the bravery of U.S. Navy pilots, sailors, cryptanalysts, and others.}}"The grit and bravery that U.S. Navy sailors, pilots, intelligence officers and others displayed at Midway Island in the spring of 1942 is what makes it an event that echoes through our history," said Rep. Courtney. "Facing down four first-line Imperial Japanese aircraft carriers and waves of attacking ships, soldiers, and fighter pilots, American troops held ground and turned back a surging Imperial Japanese Navy, halting their expansion eastward and keeping the fight far from U.S. shores. The Battle of Midway is one of the most hallowed victories in the history of our Navy and in the history of the post-World War II era of peace and prosperity it helped make possible, and I was honored to help commemorate the victory 80 years later today alongside Rep. Wittman, Secretary Del Toro, and U.S. Navy leadership."

"Though the Battle of Midway took place 80 years ago, the determination, valor, and fighting spirit that led the Navy during this pivotal victory remains in our sailors today," said Rep. Wittman. "This incredible example of service and sacrifice from our sailors reminds us of one of the many examples that make our United States Navy great. Despite growing challenges and disruptions, the United States has been and remains a naval power. I was honored to host this ceremony with my colleague Rep. Joe Courtney, and I am grateful to the Navy for their consistent leadership."

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