WWII Vets to Share Memories of Fighting While Sinking in the Iconic Battle of Midway

Five veterans who fought aboard the USS YORKTOWN CV-5 during the iconic World War II Battle of Midway will share their memories of the attack and the sinking of their ship during a free program hosted by the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum at 7 p.m. on April 28.

Commissioned in 1937, the USS YORKTOWN CV-5 was the fifth aircraft carrier constructed by the United States.  In 1942, just months after the attack at Pearl Harbor, the carrier served as the central ship of Task Force 17 during the Battle of Midway, where it was struck and sunk by three Japanese bombs and four torpedoes.  The five former crew members will discuss that attack and their rescue during the Patriots Point symposium titled Mayday at Midway.  Several of the men spent hours floating in the ocean while covered in oil.

The USS YORKTOWN CV-5 sunk on June 7, 1942.[/caption]

“The Battle of Midway was a major turning point in World War II for the U.S. Navy,” said Patriots Point executive director Mac Burdette.  “When people think of iconic naval battles, they think of Midway.  It’s extremely rare to meet and hear from the heroes who fought in it.  Most of those men are gone now.  We hope the community takes advantage of this unique opportunity to walk in the steps of real heroes.”

The USS YORKTOWN CV-5 was struck by three bombs and four torpedoes.[/caption]

Mayday at Midway is part of Patriots Point’s “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things” education series. The program will be held inside the climate-controlled Smokey Stover Theater aboard the USS YORKTOWN CV-10, which was named in honor of the USS YORKTOWN CV-5 not long after the ship sank.  Admission and parking are both free.

The Mayday at Midway symposium is April 28 at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.[/caption]