FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - Sailors and civilians assigned to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F) commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Midway during a ceremony held at fleet headquarters in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, June 3.
The Battle of Midway was fought June 4-7, 1942, and is regarded as the turning point in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. During the battle, U.S. Navy carrier strike forces prevented the Japanese from capturing control of Midway Island in the Pacific.
“The victory at the Battle of Midway was truly only a success because of the hard work, dedication, and for some the ultimate sacrifice of the Sailors and Marines near the tiny mid-Pacific base at the Midway atoll,” said the event’s Master of Ceremonies, Lt.j.g. Jason Heinen. “The proud contributions of [what today is known as] the Information Dominance Corps to that victory are undisputed.”
The commemoration ceremony highlighted the weather prediction, navigation and communication contributions made by service members throughout the battle.
“Our knowledge of the weather in the Battle of Midway comes from reconstructions done by Florence van Straten,” said Senior Chief Aerographer's Mate Jim Hatch, the event’s guest speaker. “Her reports provided examples of how military forces were able to use weather conditions to their advantage.”
Van Straten played an important role in accurate weather support during World War II and her efforts led to significant advances in atmospheric science.
The Battle of Midway demonstrated the importance of a commander's basic insight into what was actually occurring on, below and above the sea.
Today, that is known as "battlespace awareness," one of the key tenets of information dominance, along with "assured command and control" and "integrated fires."
“The Navy has always been steeped in tradition,” said Cryptologic Technician 1st Class (IDW/SW) William VanHousen, the event’s coordinator. “It is important for every Sailor to understand their heritage and where they come from.”
The ceremony was also viewed via teleconference by Sailors assigned to FCC/ C10F South located in Suffolk, Virginia.