Acting Secretary of the Navy Hansford T. Johnson has announced that the historic aircraft carrier USS Midway will be donated to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, a qualified non-profit organization.

The Midway (CVB 41), the last remaining vessel of the World War II-era CV 41 class [she was commissioned just a month after the war ended, in September, 1945 --ed.], will be displayed in remembrance of the valiant service of its crew and as a testimonial to the men and women who built, reconfigured and maintained this vessel.

The request from the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum was the only complete application for donation of Midway. After a review of the package, Johnson determined that it is in the Navy's best interests to approve donation to the museum.

The ship was named for the Battle of Midway, which was fought in the Central Pacific from June 4-7, 1942. It is considered the decisive battle of the war, in the theater. Before this battle the Japanese were on the offensive; after it, the Americans and their allies took the offensive. During the battle, U.S. forces sank the four Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor only six months before, while losing only one U.S. carrier.

FMI: www.dod.mil; Midway history