The Battle of Midway: Heroism in War

The pacific war in WW2 was one of the most horrific campaigns fought. But one of the most critical battles was that of Midway where the whole course of the war was at stake with the American west coast at risk. This was the turning point as Japan was pretty much winning every battle till then. Up that moment the Japanese navy was thought to be unstoppable and the US Navy wildly overmatched skill-wise and majorly outnumbered. 

The Americans launched an audacious trap which resulted in the sinking of 4 Japanese carriers, buying America time to ramp up their industrial base and military for war. 

The US Navy suffered tremendous losses and in this specific battle they lost half of their pilots doing it. The war defined America at its best. 

There is a scene in the Roland Emmerich movie of Midway that I found indicative. 

One of the officers Dick Best, is trying to convince his copilot to get back in a plane after a hellacious bombing run on the Japanese carriers. 

“You’ll remember this moment for the rest of your life. If you know you came through for the people counting on you, you will be able to face anything. We’ve come this far, don’t make me go out there without you.”

These men literally turned the tide of the war in the Pacific. They held the line and bought time for America. True heroes. 

We should all take heart from their courage and heroism and try to put it into every little thing that we do in life. We should honor their sacrifice and be a worthy legacy for them.