The Midway Island base was established in 1935, and by the time of the battle, it was home to approximately 1,100 military personnel and civilians. The base included an airstrip, a seaplane base, and a submarine base.
The Japanese attack on Midway began early in the morning of June 4. The Japanese launched a two-pronged attack, with one force attacking the island from the north and the other from the south. The northern force was intercepted by U.S. aircraft, and the southern force was defeated by U.S. naval gunfire.
The Battle of Midway was a major victory for the United States. The U.S. Navy sank four Japanese aircraft carriers, one heavy cruiser, and one destroyer. The Japanese lost over 3,000 men, while the U.S. lost only 307.
The victory at Midway marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The U.S. Navy had now gained the upper hand, and the Japanese would never again be able to launch a major offensive in the Pacific.