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Article: Midway, Battle of
- Article from:
- Dictionary of American History
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MIDWAY, BATTLE OF
MIDWAY, BATTLE OF
(4
–
6 June 1942), a major engagement of aircraft carriers that reversed Japan's initial tactical successes in the Pacific during World War II. After ravaging the U.S. Battle Fleet at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese steamed unimpeded across the western Pacific, their progress delayed only briefly by the indecisive Battle of the Coral Sea (3
–
8 May 1942). Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of Japan's Combined Fleet, resolved to take Midway Island and force Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, to commit his weakened forces to a final clashat sea.
At Nimitz's disposal were the carriers
Enterprise
and
Hornet
and their support ...