Abstract
This paper explains that, on June 4th, 1942, early in the morning, an American Catalina aircraft was patrolling the open Pacific sky when something startling was seen--- two Japanese carriers, two battleships, bearing 320 degrees, distant 180 miles, course 130 degrees, speed 25 knots: The Battle of Midway was to begin. The author explains that a patrol of six Marine F4F Wildcat fighters from Midway ran head first into one-hundred and eight Japanese bombers and Zeros in the direction of Midway and nothing could stop them. The paper relates that the American forces retaliated and, in only the time span of one day, they sank four out of six Japanese carriers used against Pearl Harbor; Japan lost over 300 planes and nearly 3000 men.

From the Paper
"The fourth Japanese carrier, Hiryu, made a close escape and vowed to have revenge on the Yorktown. Hiryu launched an attack against the Yorktown. One bomb went through the side of the ship, lodged itself in the stack, and exploded. The single bomb caused 5 boilers to go out, which slowed the ship down tremendously. Two torpedo explosions ripped a huge hole in the portside of Yorktown and made the damage irreversible, the order to abandon ship came at 2:55 P.M. The Americans were all but dead yet, however."

Tags:nimitz, spruance, nagumo, yamamoto, planes

Abstract
In the Battle of Midway, a combination of factors worked that led to the victory of the United States. This paper shows that two factors were critical in the four-day (4-7 June 1942) battle. First, by breaking Japanese naval codes, the United States eliminated the possibility of surprise attacks by the Japanese. Second, the United States adopted a simple plan that embarked on a single objective of holding Midway.

Abstract
This paper discusses the Battle of Midway and Coral Sea during WWII. The author discusses the causes for the attacks, the preparations for the attacks by the countries involved and the strategies used.

From the Paper
"The Pacific situation is very grave." These words were spoken by President Roosevelt to Prime Minister Winston Churchill on March 9, 1942.1 He was correct in saying this, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had passed with disastrous results for the U.S. Pacific fleet. Of the ninety-four Naval vessels at Pearl Harbor eight battleships were lost to action; three sunk, one capsized and four more heavily damaged.2 In addition three light cruisers, three destroyers, and several other light vessels were badly damaged. One hundred eighty-eight aircraft were destroyed and sixty-three damaged.3 Luck did not smile entirely on the Japanese however, as the American aircraft carriers were all at sea at the time of the attack. Also, although it's significance was not realized at the time, an additional stroke of luck for the Americans was the failure of the Japanese to destroy the repair shops and the oil tanks located on the base. Within several hours of the initial attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked British Malaya, Singora, Thailand, Singapore, Guam, Hong Kong, Wake and the Philippines.4 "

Tags:world, war, two, admiral, america, coral, harbor, japan, pearl, sea, usa, yamamoto

Abstract
This paper introduces and analyzes the film "Midway" directed by Jack Smight. Specifically, it discusses the film and its depiction of the historical battle of Midway. The paper points out that "Midway" is a historical film that uses archival footage to make the action seem more realistic. The paper claims that the historical perspective of this film is overall very accurate, but that there are some lapses in truth. It argues that Hollywood melodrama makes some of the information in the film questionable at best. The paper concludes that, to watch the film for entertainment makes sense, but to base historical fact on the film will only disappoint and misinform the viewer.

From the Paper
"The film shows how military choices and tactics led up to the battle, and how, for the first time, the battle was essentially fought from the air, with the two navies never actually seeing each other. For this reason, the battle is extremely historic, and that is one of the reasons the filmmakers chose to create the film. In addition, it seems in the 70s that there was considerable anti-war sentiment after the war in Vietnam and college unrest, and several WWII films were created during this time, such as "Tora, Tora, Tora!" (1970) which tells the story of the Pearl Harbor attacks from the Japanese point of view, and "Patton" (1970), which tells the story of the life of General George Patton. It seems that Hollywood was attempting to create more patriotism in America by reminding Americans of the great victories during World War II, and this film fits into that category quite nicely."

Tags:documentary battle history, World War II

Abstract
An examination of the Battle of Midway and how it changed World War II. The author examines the international relations between states at the time, such as Japan and the U.S. and how this battle changed the position of the U.S. in the war. A look at the events that led to the battle.

From the Paper
"Prior to the Battle for Midway, the U.S. Navy had suffered nothing except crushing defeats (except for the Battle of the Coral Seas, which was less than a full victory). The Japanese were approaching Australia, and Admiral Yamamoto was relentlessly hunting what was left of the American Navy after Pearl Harbor. He intended to occupy the Western Pacific Islands (Boorda, 1995), especially Midway, to establish a protective perimeter around his homeland. (The desire to accomplish this was increased with Doolittle's raid on Japan in April, mentioned below.)"

Tags:war, japan, u.s., relations, fight, win, pacific, territory, conquer

From the Paper
Prior to the drama girdling Midway in the summer of 1942, Japanese forces had mounted triumph upon triumph in their Pacific campaign, rapidly crushing all resistance encountered in each strategic area which had been targeted for conquest. The Battle of Midway marked the turn of the tide of World War II in the Pacific Theater, denoting the end of Japanese naval dominance and the beginning of Allied victory at sea. ..

Tags:second, world, war, Japanese, military, operation

Abstract
This paper discusses how the success of the allies in World War II hinged on the defeat of its two greatest opposing forces. The key to success relied upon debilitating and disabling the German army and the Japanese army. The paper shows how the weakening of the German army at the Battle of Kursk and the weakening of the Japanese army at the Battle of Midway were two of the key battles responsible for turning the tides to the Allied forces' favor in World War II. The similarities and differences of these two decisive battles are the focus of the research.

From the Paper
"It can be said that just because one loses the battle, it doesn't mean that they have lost the war. In most cases this is true. However, one battle can mean a such defeat for one side that it changes the entire course of the rest of the war. This was the case in the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway took place from June 4-7, 1942. Prior to the Battle of Midway, Japanese forces were on the offensive capturing and securing massive territories throughout the Pacific Rim and Asia (NHC, 2002). Midway Island lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean half way between the United States and Japan. It is a key refueling and strategic supply point for long runs across the Pacific Ocean. Control of Midway Island was a key factor to the offensive position of the Japanese. It was also important defensively as a key to preventing the Japanese invasion of Hawaii."

Tags:japan, german, army, weapon, military, battle, pacific, ocean, fleet, intelligence, Operation, Citadel, Prochorovka, hitler, nazi

Abstract
This paper explains that had England fallen in the Battle of Britain, the Nazis, at the very least, would have conquered the entire continent of Europe. The author explains destroying Japan's four aircraft carriers in the U.S. victory at Midway was the first necessary step that made possible the "island-hopping" campaign, which ultimately resulted in the recapture of the Philippines and the Solomon Islands from the Japanese. The paper concludes that the D-Day invasion at Normandy was the pivotal battle that enabled the Allied victory in the largest and most deadly war in human history, accounting for perhaps fifty-million deaths on three continents; consequently, it was probably the single most important battle of all time.

Table of Contents
Battle of Britain
Battle of Midway Island
Battle for Stalingrad
Invasion of Normandy

From the Paper
"Slightly more a year later, the Russian Red Army had liberated all of the Russian territory previously captured by the Germans and pushed the Nazis all the way back to the streets of Berlin, where they retaliated for some of the Nazi atrocities committed against Russian civilians. Consequently, in the final weeks of the war in Europe, German soldiers scrambled desperately to surrender to American forces rather than suffer the fate of capture by the sons of the civilians they brutalized and murdered during their occupation of Russia. The entire Russian advance that ended with the complete, street-by-street destruction of the German capitol city of Berlin began with the defeat of the German war machine just outside Stalingrad in 1942."

Tags:stalingrad, normanday, midway, britain, german

Abstract
The Battle of Antietam, both directly and indirectly, was the most decisive battle of the U.S. Civil War. This paper examines military and political consequences of this battle and how these effected the remainder of the war and the political future of the country.

From the Paper
"The battle of Antietam was a pivotal point in the American Civil War. A victory by either the Union or the Confederacy would have severe and long-lasting implications for both sides. The battle of Antietam in September of 1862 resulted in a significant military success for the Union army, the failure of Britain and France to recognize the Confederacy as an independent nation, and Lincoln s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, making Antietam the most decisive battle of the Civil War."

Tags:antietam, battle, civil, confederacy, emancipation, lee, lincoln, proclamation, robert, us, war

Abstract
The paper describes several acts Kernan participated in and witnessed during his years aboard carriers and Avenger aircraft during WWII. The paper looks at Kernan's discussion in his work, "Crossing the Line" of the Battle of Midway and the failed torpedo bomber attacks. The paper then describes the sinking of the USS Hornet and Kernan's spontaneous courage and commitment to a shipmate. Finally, the paper addresses how Kernan attempted to save Butch O'Hare's life just before O'Hare was shot down.

Outline:
Courage at Midway
Death of the USS Hornet
The Heroism and Loss of Butch O'Hare

From the Paper
"Kernan witnessed the death of Butch O'Hare, the Medal of Honor winner, after whom O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, is named. As a matter of fact, it was Kernan, flying as the rear gunner in the Avenger aircraft, who attempted to save O'Hare's life just before he was shot down.
"Both were patrolling along with another Hellcat to protect the U.S. carriers at sea when low-flying Japanese torpedo bombers, called Betty's, attacked at night. The Hellcats chased them off, but as they turned back toward the carriers, Kernan, in the Avenger, noticed an unknown aircraft slip in behind O'Hare's Hellcat.
"Kernan fired. But the Japanese aircraft fired first, right down into the cockpit of O'Hare's aircraft. His Hellcat descended "gently" as it was later described and Kernan saw a grayish splash in the ocean below.
"At first it was thought that perhaps Kernan had mistakenly shot this war hero down by accident. But it was later determined that he had not, and Kernan, for his efforts to save O'Hare, was awarded the Navy Cross.
""It greatly relieved the guilt that I carried about the possibility that I had hit the group commander (O'Hare) while firing at the Japanese intruder" (Kernan, 2007, p. xvi)."

Tags:Battle of Midway, USS Hornet, Butch O'Hare