The Battle of Midway through the Eyes of Those Who Were There

As a significant turning point in the Pacific during World War II, the Battle of Midway in June 1942 shattered the advancing Japanese forces. In the months since the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese had seen victories throughout the Asia-Pacific region—from as far west as Sri Lanka to as far east as Wake Atoll. While American morale had been lifted with the Doolittle Raid in April 1942 and success in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May, American forces would face their greatest naval challenge yet at Midway.    

The Imperial Japanese Navy attempted to force a crippling battle on the U.S. Navy and establish a base between Pearl Harbor and Japan. Japanese control of Midway Atoll would have been disastrous, putting them in close striking distance of Hawaii. The story of this battle has often been told. American Naval intelligence, using code breaking and false messages, discovered the Japanese plans. This allowed an inferior force of three American aircraft carriers and the Midway defenders to sink four Japanese carriers in a day and turn back the invasion.

Military historians often dissect battles, opposing forces, and strategies employed. However, battle is a human event experienced by individuals. It’s the stories of the sailors and airmen, who witnessed these events, that provide a personal perspective. To commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, below are first person accounts of what transpired on those days in June 1942.

American Torpedo Bombers Attack

Radioman 2nd Class Harry H. Ferrier of torpedo squadron VT-8 served as a radio operator and lower gunner on a Grumman Avenger.  Flying from American carriers and Midway’s airbase to attack the Japanese aircraft carrier task force, the  torpedo bombers suffered heavy losses flying low, and slow enough to drop torpedoes, through fighters and antiaircraft fire. One of the few to return was Radioman Ferrier:

“On the second firing pass by the attacking Zeros, our turret gunner, Manning, was hit and his turret put out of action,” recounted Ferrier. “The sight of his slumped and lifeless body startled me. Quite suddenly, I was a scared, mature old man at 17. I had never seen death before, and here in one awesome moment my friends and I were face-to-face with it. I lost all sense of time and direction but huddled by my gun hoping for a chance to shoot back.”[i]

The torpedo bombers made no hits. Ferrier’s aircraft was the only one of Torpedo Squadron 8 to survive. Only four of 41 American carrier torpedo planes returned. The attackers’ bravery and determination made a great impression on the Japanese who witnessed it.[ii]

American Scout and Dive Bombers Attack

Japanese fighters were concentrating on the torpedo bombers as American scout and dive bombers arrived overhead.  Lt. (Jg.) Norman “Dusty” Kleiss and his radio operator/gunner were in one of the Douglas “Dauntless” dive bombers that attacked the aircraft carrier Kaga.

“The situation was a carrier pilot's dream. No anti-aircraft, all three (Japanese)carriers heading straight into the wind,” recounted Kleiss. “Earl Gallaher's 500 pound bomb hit squarely on a plane starting its take-off…Immediately the whole pack of planes at the stern were in flames 50 feet high…My bombs landed exactly on the big red circle forward of the bridge. Seconds later the flames were 100 feet high.” Kleiss continued, “Ten minutes after the attack I saw a large explosion amidships on the Kaga. Rockets of flame, pieces of steel bolted upward to about three or four thousand feet high.“[iii]

This attack destroyed three of the four aircraft carriers in the Japanese carrier task force.  The remaining Japanese carrier was fatally attacked later in the day, but only after her squadrons damaged the USS Yorktown.

Loss of the USS Yorktown and USS Hammann

The Yorktown was later lost to a submarine attack. While providing support, the destroyer USS Hammann was hit at the same time. Executive Officer Lt. (Jg.) Charles C. Hartigan reported on the loss of Hammann.

“The Hammann was moored portside to the Yorktown. At this time four torpedoes were reported on our starboard beam,” recounted Hartigan. “Immediately following the first torpedo the second torpedo hit.  … regaining my senses … I saw that the forecastle deck was awash.” He continued, “When I got down to the bridge, the executive officer was going down the vertical ladder … the Captain was the only man on the bridge. We inspected the pilot house, chart house, and radar room and found no one.”  Hartigan said,“… the captain, executive officer, engineer officer and myself all jumped into the water and swam clear of the ship. The captain pointed at a mess attendant, Raby, … holding onto the forecastle life line. I swam back to get him … just before I got there the ship went under. Raby…floated free. At about this time a terrific underwater explosion went off which all but knocked me out.”[iv]

The salvo of torpedoes from a Japanese submarine doomed Yorktown and Hammann. The destroyer sank in four minutes, and the underwater explosion killed many men in the water. Yorktown finally sank on June 7.  Remains of many American sailors went down with these ships and they are considered war graves today.

Men like Ferrier, Kleiss and Hartigan are just three examples of the more than 16 million Americans who served in World War II. Their stories help show the adversity, endurance, skill, and humanity experienced in battle. By recalling  their experience in their own words, the Battle of Midway can be understood from personal perspective.   

To read more combat narratives from the Battle of Midway, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command's website.