Midway

The battle of Midway is our nations Trafalgar. The majority of Americans will go through the day not even knowing today is the anniversary. No single name from the most important Naval battle in American history resonates as a national hero in America today.

See here.

In carrying out the task assigned … you will be governed by the principle of calculated risk, which you shall interpret to mean the avoidance of exposure of our forces without good prospect on inflicting, as a result of such exposure, greater damage on the enemy. (Extract from CINCPAC Operational Order to TF 17 Commander)

And

In every battle there is a moment when the combatants, and the world, seem to catch their breath. It is a fleeting moment, lost in the blink of an eye. But in that same blink, everything changes. Such moments are borne of desperation, of courage, of plain dumb luck. But they are pivotal - for what was before is forever changed afterwards.

If I didn't have to work today, I would be meeting up with Maggie at the Midway Commemoration - Charlestown Navy Yard. There are several activities today, if you attend one of them please share your experience in the comments.