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I witnessed the first bomb hit on the Yorktown June 4, 1942  and witnessed everything else that occured up to and beyond June 7, 1942 at 06:59 when the sea embraced the Yorktown and took her down into her domain. The USS Yorktown slid gracefully like a lady, bow first, beneath the sea.
No plume of water, foamy froth, gurgles or screws showing. The American flag fully unfurled, flying stiffly in the final moments as it picked up speed going under. A sad, but proud moment for me.
Copyright 2000 - Peter E. Karetka
The Battle of Midway, fought near the Central Pacific Island of Midway, is considered the decisive battle of the war in the Pacific. I witnessed first hand this costly battle against the Japanese which was the turning point for WW II. I was on theUSS Hughes DD-410.
Before this battle the Japanese were on the offensive, capturing territory throughout Asia and the Pacific. They had planned to capture the Island of Midway to use as an advance base as well as to entrap and destroy the US Pacific Fleet. Because of communication intelligence successes, the Pacific Fleet surprised the Japanese forces, sinking the four Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor only six months before. After Midway the Americans and their Allies took the offensive in the Pacific.
USS HUGHES DD-410
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
MY MEMORIES OF MIDWAY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GUESTBOOK
Credits: Thank You