LEMOORE (KMJ) — A commemoration of the brave Americans who served during the Second World War’s most pivotal battles has taken place today at Naval Air Station Lemoore.
It was 73 years ago when the Battle of Midway was fought in the Pacific theatre. Veterans and current US Navy personnel gathered together to remember the thousands of lives lost.
“Most of the young men who fought then were not that different from the men and women you see in your lives today”, said the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Lemoore Captain Monty G. Ashliman. “They came from our towns, our cities, our farms and our homes.”
“Their challenges were daunting but so were their strengths. They knew it was not enough to say ‘we are doing our best’. Victory was the only option.
“At the Battle of Midway the single element that could be counted upon more than anything else was the fighting spirit of the American sailors and marines”.
That was followed by a three-volley salute and a flyover. In the crowd were around a dozen veterans from various conflicts throughout history. Amongst them was Harry Mercer, who was a Petty officer, 2nd Class and worked in Naval Intelligence during the Battle of Midway.
“It was not a surprise for us. We had broken the Japanese codes so we knew what they were bringing, when they would be there, what they would have, and we were ready for them”.
The fight raged from June 3rd until June 7th 1942, and is credited to have radically changed the course of World War II. However, more than 3,000 lives were lost during the battle on both sides.
Hear the report as it aired on KMJ:
