USNA Class of 1942 - In Honor of those Classmates Who Participated in the Action at the Battle of Midway

Honoring:
USNA Class of 1942 - In Honor of those Classmates Who Participated in the Action at the Battle of Midway

Location:
Forcastle

Description:

USNA Class of 1942

In Honor of those 

Classmates Who Participated in the Action 

at the Battle of Midway

The accelerated graduation of this class took place just 

twelve days after Pearl Harbor. Upwards of one third of 

its 537 new ensigns reported promptly to their assigned 

duty stations in the Pacific Fleet where every effort was 

being mounted to take the war to the enemy. In their 

various assigned ships and submarines they soon were 

standing top watches and assuming increasing 

responsibilities under more experienced leaders. Some 

seventy five of these young men were assigned to ships 

which were ordered into action to repel a massive 

Japanese attack aimed at Midway Island. In the ensuing 

battle some of these Ensigns had to swim from sinking 

ships, one was killed. The ultimate victory scored by the 

Navy and Marines Corps was of epic proportions. It 

turned the tide of the Pacific war forever against Japan 

which permitted giving priority to the defeat of Germany. 

The class of 1942 is proud of its role in this magnificent 

victory. In the course of the war over the next three years 

many other classmates participated with valor in various 

actions, but never in such collective numbers.