Friday, June 04, 2010

CNO Honors the 68th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Kyle P. Malloy, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

June 4, 2010 - WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead delivered remarks at the 68th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony at the nation's Navy Memorial June 4.

CNO thanked the Sailors who currently serve for attending the ceremony to help celebrate the service of past Sailors and the Battle of Midway, the decisive naval battle that was the turning point in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.

"To the Sailors who are here today, who gather to commemorate those who have come before us," said Roughead. "I thank you for being part of this ceremony, this commemoration, this demonstration of respect for these great men, their generation and what they did for us."

Roughead spoke about the valor and legacy of the Sailors who fought in the Battle of Midway, reminding the audience that many of these Sailors had experienced a variety of attacks on our nation prior to Midway.

"It is [their] same spirit of hope and determination that brought victory to the United States at Midway," said Roughead. "And it's that same spirit that lives on today in the Sailors who serve in the United States Navy around the world."

CNO recognized the Navy ships and crews from USS Benham (DD-397), USS Balch (DD-363) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) for their contributions during the Battle of Midway who then went on to help win World War II.

"These crews earned great notoriety at Midway for an incredible victory, but that was just one page in their long histories of service," said Roughead.

Roughead encouraged present day Sailors to look to the example of the Sailors who fought in the Battle of Midway as a standard to maintain in being a 'Global Force For Good.'

"It is our task, now, to write the new glorious pages in our Navy's history and we do so with the extraordinary example of the great men and women who came before us," said Roughead.

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