Scene on board USS Yorktown (CV-5), shortly after she was hit by three Japanese bombs — Battle of Midway, June 1942. U.S. National Archives.
On June 4, 1942, the Battle of Midway–one of the most decisive U.S. victories against Japan during World War II–began. During the four-day sea-and-air battle, the outnumbered U.S. Pacific Fleet succeeded in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own, the Yorktown, to the previously invincible Japanese Navy.
Japan sought to remove the United States as a Pacific power in order to gain territory in east Asia and the southwest Pacific islands. Japan hoped to defeat the US Pacific Fleet and use Midway as a base to attack Pearl Harbor, securing dominance in the region and then forcing a negotiated peace.
So, instead of surprising the United States, Japanese forces sailed directly into a powerful US fleet, led by the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown. Damaged in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the carrier had been repaired by Pearl Harbor Navy Yard in an astounding two days in order to be ready for Midway.
When the Battle of Midway ended, Japan had lost four carriers, a cruiser and 292 aircraft, and suffered an estimated 2,500 casualties. The U.S. lost the Yorktown, the destroyer USS Hammann, 145 aircraft and suffered approximately 300 casualties.
Japan’s losses hobbled its naval might—bringing Japanese and American sea power to approximate parity—and marked the turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II.
The Jordan family of four – husband and wife Billy and Linda, and sons Jack and Callum – received a free tour of the USS Bowfin by Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. They also received a gift certificate to the museum gift shop and a complimentary lunch.
“Welcoming our 11 millionth visitor marks an incredible milestone for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and we are grateful for all of our visitors since opening to the public over 40 years ago,” said Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. “Thanks to our dedicated museum staff, this achievement underscores the lasting significance of preserving the legacy of the submariners who served aboard the USS Bowfin during World War II. It is a privilege to share this historic vessel and its stories with people from around the world.”
Named after an aggressive freshwater predator native to North America, the USS Bowfin was launched on December 7, 1942, and nicknamed the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger.’ Over the course of nine successful war patrols in the Pacific during World War II, the Bowfin lived up to both her namesake and her nickname. Donated to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association in 1979, the submarine was opened to the public in April 1981 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Located at 11 Arizona Memorial Drive at Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and USS Bowfin submarine are open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For more information, call (808) 423-1341 or plan your visit here.
