Top 10 Remarkable Facts about USS Midway

USS Midway by U.S. Navy from Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about USS Midway

The aircraft carrier with the longest operational history was the USS Midway. Midway, which was built in under 17 months and was named after the pivotal Battle of Midway in June 1942, was commissioned on September 10, 1945, missing the start of World War II by one week. Midway was the first of a three-ship class of massive carriers with an armoured flight deck and a potent 120-plane air force.

Here are 10 things you probably don’t know about it.

1. It was commissioned 8 days after Japan surrendered 

The carrier was launched on March 20, 1945, and commissioned on September 10, 1945, eight days after Japan’s formal surrender. It was named for the pivotal Pacific theatre Battle of Midway in June 1942.

On April 11, 1992, the ship was taken out of service. Shortly after it was put into service, the Midway, built by Virginia’s Newport News Shipbuilding Co., welcomed a 130-plane air group. There were roughly 4,000 officers and enlisted troops on board the ship.

2. Up until 1955, The Midway was the largest ship in the world

USS Midway by San Diego Air from Wikimedia Commons

Twelve boilers turn four Westinghouse steam turbines to propel the 1,001-foot-long ship at 33 knots (38 mph). Up until 1955, the Midway held the record for largest ship in the world.

As it changed to fit the jet and nuclear eras, the carrier received a number of improvements. A longer deck, more modern radar and more capable armaments were some of these. After determining the reduced number could be coordinated more effectively, the flight deck’s aircraft count was decreased from 130 to 100.

3. The Midway launched a captured German V-2 in 1947

German V-2 by Burley Packwood from Wikimedia Commons

Twelve boilers turn four Westinghouse steam turbines to propel the 1,001-foot-long ship at 33 knots (38 mph). Up until 1955, the Midway held the record for largest ship in the world. As it changed to fit the jet and nuclear eras, the carrier received a number of improvements.

A longer deck, more modern radar and more capable armaments were some of these. After determining the reduced number could be coordinated more effectively, the flight deck’s aircraft count was decreased from 130 to 100.

4. Seven deployments by the Midway happened on European seas

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard by Brycermeyer from Wikimedia Commons

As a member of the Atlantic Fleet, the Midway completed seven deployments in European waters during a ten-year period. The Midway returned to duty with its home port in Alameda, California, close to San Francisco, after working at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from June 1955 to September 1957. The carrier left for a Far Eastern deployment in April 1962, stopping in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

5. Operations by Midway in Vietnam started in March 1965

USS Midway by San Diego Air & Space Museum from Wikimedia Commons

Operation Rolling Thunder’s airstrikes against North Vietnam in March 1965 marked the beginning of Midway’s operations in Vietnam. The first recognized aerial victories over the North Vietnamese were achieved on June 17 when F-4B Phantom IIs from the carrier’s Fighter Squadron VF-21 shot down two MiG-17 planes.

6. On Jan. 12, 1973, Midway had an aerial victory

Senior Lt. Luu Kim Ngo of the 923rd Fighter Regiment was killed on January 12, 1973, when a different Midway-based F-4B downed a MiG-17 over Haiphong, North Vietnam. On the Midway flight deck right now is an F-4B displaying the names of its pilots, Lt. Vic Kovaleski and Lt. j.g. Jim Wise.

7. In November 1965, the Midway returned to the United States

The Midway arrived back in America in November 1965 after spending nine months off the coast of Vietnam. In order to undergo a pricey four-year refit at a San Francisco shipyard, the ship was decommissioned in 1966. Additionally to the installation of new electronic equipment, work on the flight deck was expanded.

In the Gulf of Tonkin, the Midway replaced the USS Hancock on its return to Vietnam in May 1971. In November 1971, it arrived back at Alameda.

 8. In April 1972 Midway was deployed to Vietnam

T-59 VC by Army Mil from Wikimedia Commons

After the March 30 “Easter Offensive” invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnamese forces, the ship was once again sailing in April 1972 for a third deployment.

The aircraft of the Midway were essential in the American campaign to halt the movement of North Vietnamese troops and supplies into South Vietnam. To drop explosives into the waters surrounding North Vietnam’s principal ports in May, planes from the Midway joined those from other carriers. As part of the Operation Linebacker air campaign, bombers launched from the Midway attacked targets in North Vietnam in the summer of 1972.

9. In, Jan 1973 Midway sailed home after a ceasefire

After President Richard Nixon declared a truce on January 15, 1973, during talks for a peace accord in Paris, the Midway sailed back to Alameda. In recognition of their “outstanding teamwork and dedication and sustained superior performance” in Vietnam from April 30, 1972, to February 9, 1973, Nixon awarded the Midway and its Attack Carrier Air Wing 5 the Presidential Unit Citation.

Shortly after arriving in America, the Midway left. The ship departed Alameda in September 1973 and arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, its new home port, in October. It was the first American carrier with a home port outside of the United States.

10. In April 1975 Midway helped to evacuate thousands of Americans from Vietnam

The Midway was once more in Vietnamese waters in April 1975 as South Vietnam was about to be overrun by the North Vietnamese in a swift takeover of the country. The Midway was taking part in Operation Frequent Wind, an operation to evacuate thousands of Americans and South Vietnamese who were closely cooperating with U.S. personnel, along with dozens of other ships. To get to the American ships, the refugees were transported by helicopter.

Over the course of two days, more than 3,000 Americans and South Vietnamese refugees were transported to safety by the Midway’s large H-53 transport helicopters.

Currently, you can view the USS Midway at the Broadway Pier in San Diego. 60 meticulously refurbished exhibit spaces are available. On the flight deck and hangar deck of the 10 acres of exhibits are 30 restored aircraft. The crew quarters, mess halls, chapel, washing facilities, and other areas of the ship are visible to visitors who venture below deck.

The command centre for flight operations and other ship systems from bow to stern is revealed during guided tours. With in-flight simulators, you can roll, spin, and loop while experiencing air battle from every angle. You’ll learn more about how the flight deck operates on other trips.