NECC Holds 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis DiPerna | 170605-N-XJ788-035 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (June 5, 2017) Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and NECC Pacific, during the National Anthem at NECC's annual Battle of Midway Commemoration at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story on June 5, 2017. The event marks the 75th anniversary of the Navy's most historically significant event. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Travis DiPerna/ Released)  

VA, UNITED STATES

06.05.2017

Story by Jennifer Cragg 

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command

VIRGNIA BEACH, Va. -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) held a Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony in the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic Midway Auditorium, June 5, marking the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's most significant naval victory.

Yearly, commands around the Navy commemorate the anniversary of this poignant battle, which occurred June 4-7, as an opportunity to educate follow-on generations of Sailors about the naval victory in which our Navy demonstrated its superiority and our Sailors demonstrated their fighting power throughout the battle.

Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC Pacific discussed the significance of the battle citing many examples of toughness on display during the infamous battle.

“Their stories of bravery live on and serve to connect us all to the heroes of the Battle of Midway,” said Brakke, who shared the story of Capt. James Steele to the NECC audience who served on Adm. Chester Nimitz’s staff and noted in the CINCPAC War Diary at the end of the day on June 1942 – “The whole course of the Pacific War may hinge on the developments of the next two or three days.”

Brakke added that this battle fought 75 years ago remains relevant today. “The lessons from that battle are still referred to and something we should never forget.”

Many factors contributed to the decisive victory from the hard work of code breaking, to the aggressive and innovative use of the aircraft carrier, and the bravery and resolve of the Sailors who were there. Instead of being the victims of an ambush, they had turned the tables on the Japanese navy and had ambushed them. The Battle of Midway permanently weakened the Japanese navy and allowed the United States to seize the initiative in the Pacific and go on the offensive.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

• Date Taken: 06.05.2017
• Date Posted: 06.06.2017 13:08
• Story ID: 236532
• Location: VA, US