GHWB Commemorates Battle of Midway at Sea

Photo By Chief Petty Officer David Mora | 180606-N-UV609-0125 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 6, 2018) Capt. Sean Bailey, center right, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and Master Chief Navy Counselor Tyrone Jiles, acting command master chief, cast a wreath off the ship during a remembrance ceremony of the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The ship is underway conducting routine training exercises to maintain carrier readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Mora Jr.)  

ATLANTIC OCEAN

06.06.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kirk Putnam 

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kirk Putnam, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 6, 2018) The crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) laid a wreath in the ocean during a Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremony at sea, June 6, marking the battle’s 76th anniversary.

“It is the legacy that our grandfathers and great grandfathers left as a testimony of the fighting spirit of what has become known as the greatest generation,” said Commanding Officer Capt. Sean Bailey, “None of it could have happened without the honor, courage and commitment of Sailors just like you.”

During the Battle of Midway, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV 5) was lost along with USS Hammann (DD 412) and approximately 300 Sailors. This fact hit home with the crew of USS George H.W. Bush who recognized not only the sacrifice of the Sailors who died but also the revolution in naval warfare that those Sailors brought to life.

“The Battle of Midway marked a technical revolution in displacing traditional naval gunfire with naval carrier airpower as a primary means of delivering ordnance, elevating the aircraft carrier as the premier platform for the projection of naval power at sea,” said Bailey. “The story of our air superiority at Midway has become the stuff of legend, of great seas stories, and yet, it all happened.”

While many across the Navy celebrate the memory of the Battle of Midway, crew’s of the country’s aircraft carriers hold a special connection to the battle because of its place in naval aviation history.

“We honor the memory of ‘those who have gone before’ with this wreath, but even after the ceremony has concluded, we will continue to honor our shipmates through our efforts and example across the deckplates,” said Bailey.

GHWB is underway conducting routine training exercises to maintain carrier readiness.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2018
• Date Posted: 06.07.2018 18:09
• Story ID: 280075
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN