Battle of Midway Veterans Honored at Commemoration Dinner

U.S. Navy Releases

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (NNS) -- Hundreds of guests honored World War II veterans at the 13th Annual Commemoration of the U.S. Victory at Midway Memorial Dinner held June 5 at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine, Fla.

The event, sponsored by the U.S. Navy League, was intended to pay homage to 14 veterans who fought so valiantly at the Battle of Midway.

After introductions between the Midway veterans, Navy League officials and other distinguished guests, John Vargo, president of the Navy League Mayport Council, handed out commemoration awards to veterans and talked in-depth about what the dinner meant to everyone in attendance.

"We are here to honor the brave individuals who put their lives on the line against insurmountable odds and defeated a vastly superior force and turned the tide of the war," said Vargo.

Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, commander, Navy Region Southeast, echoed on Vargo's statement and explained what the evening meant to him.

"We have several veterans who fought at Midway as well as a lot of other distinguished veterans in attendance for this commemoration dinner, and it is a wonderful opportunity to get together and celebrate the victory at Midway and more importantly celebrate the contributions and the heritage these older veterans represent," said Alexander. "We can never pay enough respect to what these veterans did in World War II."

Throughout the occasion, stories of heroism and great courage were shared with those in attendance.

The commemoration ended with the Navy Band Region Southeast performing, followed by the dinner and closing remarks made by guest speaker Vice Adm. Michael Vitale, commander, Navy Installations Command.

"This is a very special evening for all of us," said Vitale. "We are spending time with the true war heroes of Midway who flew and fought against enemies of peace and for American freedom. These war heroes [who] helped turn the tide in the Pacific during World War II."

The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific in World War II. Approximately one month after the Battle of Coral Sea and six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy decisively defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy and turned the war in U.S. favor.