[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 96 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E766-E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BATTLE OF MIDWAY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2017

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after his victory over Pearl Harbor, 
when asked why he wasn't celebrating, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto 
replied, ``I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and 
fill him with a terrible resolve.'' Admiral Yamamoto was right, and he 
felt the terrible resolve of this giant on June 4, 1942 at the Battle 
of Midway. Midway was an important battle in the Pacific theater: it 
was the turning point that put the United States in an offensive 
position to take on the Empire of Japan. Those of the Greatest 
Generation proved that when the peace of this nation is threatened, our 
people will stand up and fight, bringing the thunder of God upon our 
enemies.
  Japan's goal at Midway Island was to destroy and ambush the remainder 
of our fleet in hopes of invading Hawaii. In the early morning on June 
4th, Japan launched its attack on Midway by bombing the island. This 
strategy proved to be ineffective. In response, the three U.S. 
carriers--Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown--launched fighters and 
bombers against the Japanese fleet and sank all four Japanese carriers 
Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu. These four Japanese aircraft carriers 
were the same carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor six months earlier. 
Over the next two days, the Imperial Japanese Navy suffered the loss of 
four aircraft carriers and hundreds of pilots--pilots that had bombed 
Pearl Harbor. Japan's defeat at Midway began America's drive on toward 
Tokyo. On that day, over 300 American sailors gave their lives for our 
country. It was Japan's first defeat of WWII.
  The victory at Midway was in part due to American intelligence, US 
codebreakers. These codebreakers were able to decipher the Japanese 
radio code called JN-25b, which enabled Pacific Fleet Commander and 
Texan, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, to learn of their exact plans of 
attack. Admiral Nimitz gained valuable intel leading up to the battle, 
including the logistics and timing of the attack. As a result of the 
Navy codebreakers Admiral Nimitz was able to reconstruct the Japanese 
plan of attack in detail.
  Like Admiral Nimitz, there were other great Texans who helped 
contribute to the victory at Midway. Baytown resident Ronnie Anderson 
told me the story of his dad, James Wyatt Anderson who served during 
this time. SF3/C James Anderson was a twelve year Naval veteran of both 
World War II and the Korean War. He served in the United States Navy on 
the survey ship, the USS Bowditch. He surveyed many invasion sites, 
including the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Midway Island 
was the only overseas assignment where SF3/C James Anderson was able to 
bring his family. Ronnie said, living on Midway Island, was like living 
in a kids paradise, especially for a 10 year old boy. Much of Ronnie's 
time was spent playing war games in the bunkers with the left over 
mortars and with anti-aircraft shells. Ronnie has several artifacts 
from the Battle of Midway including a 40mm brass shell and a mortar 
tube which are great mementos of childhood treasure hunts. Throughout 
the years, Ronnie passed down eventful island stories to his children 
and grandchildren. Now Ronnie's 15 year old grandson, Asher Isaacks, 
has become fascinated with the Battle of Midway and hopes to one day 
take his grandfather back to the island. Unfortunately, Midway has been 
closed to tourism by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife due to 
budget constraints. It is now a bird sanctuary because of its ecosystem 
with little to no predators. The island is home to birds, such as the 
Short-tailed Albatross ``Gooney Birds'', Masked Booby, and Great 
Frigatebird. The history of the island is as great as the birds that 
live there. Midway was claimed for the United States by Captain N.C. 
Brookes in 1859 and formally annexed in 1867. Originally, the island 
was meant to be a coal depot; however, this never came to be. In 1903, 
President Theodore Roosevelt placed the island under the control of the 
Navy. The island became a link in the Hawaii-Guam segment of the first 
transpacific submarine cable. The name ``Midway'' comes from the island 
being half the distance from the U.S. and Japan.
  As we observe the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway, it is 
vital we remember heroes like Admiral Chester Nimitz and James Anderson 
and give Americans, like Ronnie Anderson, the opportunity to return to 
Midway Island. On Monday, June 5th at 1:30pm, the United States Navy 
Memorial in Washington D.C. held the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of 
Midway Commemoration Ceremony. They created the Naval ``Sea of White'', 
wreath laying ceremony, and played the live stream from the USS Midway 
Commemoration Ceremony. The importance of this epic battle is a part 
history made by the ``Greatest Generation''.
  And that's just the way it is.

[[Page E767]]

  

                          ____________________