On 6 June 1942, just six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway ended with a decisive American victory. Under the command of Admirals Chester Nimitz, Frank Jack Fletcher and Raymond A. Spruance three US carriers engaged an attacking fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, dealing devastating damage and ending Japan’s dream of controlling the Pacific. This pivotal encounter handed the naval initiative to the US Navy.

The photo shows two U.S. Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers preparing to attack a burning Japanese cruiser.

The Battle of Midway 1942

The Battle of Midway is examined in detail by Mark Stille in Campaign 226 – Midway 1942.