Battle of Midway 80th Anniversary

While there is nothing I could possible write today that would add anything of significant value to the incredible amount of published research on the Battle of Midway, I cannot allow the 80th anniversary of this momentous event in our national history to pass without a few words. For me, the BoM has held a special place in my heart and fueled my passion and interest in aviation history like few other events have. I still remember reading Walter Lord’s ‘Incredible Victory’ as a kid, and the sense of awe I felt as I learned of the events of June 4th, 1942. Dick Best instantly became one of my heroes, and from that point on I would seek out any new publications on the battle I could find and eagerly devour them. I think the lesson I took to heart the most, the one that stayed with me for decades to this day, was the incredible difference a single person can make in a matter of moments, a difference that can change the course of history and save incalculable lives. Dick Best did just that when, upon beginning to dive on the Kaga, he realized McClusky’s error resulting in all 31 SBDs of VB-6 and VS-6 diving on the same carrier, and in a split second decision he course corrected and was able to signal two other SBDs flown by Lt. (j.g.) Kroeger and Ens. Weber to join up on him and redirect their attacks to the Akagi while the other 28 SBDs of VS-6 and VB-6 continued their dives on Kaga. Best’s bomb was the only one to hit its target and sink the Akagi, with the other two pilots having near misses. Had he not realized McClusky’s mistake in time and not sank Akagi, she would have been able to launch a retaliatory strike on the U.S. fleet, likely changing the course of the Pacific war in Japan’s favor. One man’s quick thinking and action made an incredible difference that day, changing the course of the war in the Pacific. Getting to know Dick was one of the highlights of my aviation publishing career, and whoever said ’never meet your heroes’ obviously never met him, as my hero lived up to my expectations in every way. None of my comments here are intended to be dismissive of the contributions of so many others to the success at the BoM. Wade McClusky following a hunch on how to find the Japanese fleet thus enabeling the destruction of multiple Japanese carriers that morning, Joseph Rochefort’s amazing efforts in breaking the Japanese codes and determining their target was indeed Midway so a trap could be prepared, and so many others contributed to our victory that day.