Midway Island Revisited

Hello friends. I've had quite and adventure this week. My trip to Midway Island - Midway Atoll national Wildlife Refuge was filled with mixed emotions. Midway is one of my favorite places in the world. I lived there for two years when I was a young man in the US Navy. The island has since been put into the hands of the US Fish and Wildlife Service for safe keeping. My mixed emotions involve my love of the island and its beauty and the excitement to be able to return mixed with the lack of upkeep and the degradation of the island since the US FWS has taken it over.

I was there to witness and be a part of the 70th Anniversary Ceremony of the Battle of Midway; the pivotal battle in the Pacific of World War II. I was privileged to have been a part of the special day. I was able to meet and chat with two amazing men who were survivors of the battle.

While I was there I photographed the island. I have only had time to process two photos so far. I will be posting more in time. Until then here is a photo of one of the natives of the island. This is a White Tern, commonly referred to as a Fairy Tern.

Enjoy. :)

Comments

Peggy Frye

- 2012-06-12 at 11:22

It was great meeting you on Midway.

John

- 2012-07-15 at 00:30

I visited Midway in 1960. Are the Gooney Birds still there?

cynthia

- 2012-07-15 at 11:40

Worked fo Pam Am Airways and this was a stop into the Pacific.

Dan Mcdonald

- 2012-08-07 at 04:20

My father was master at arms when i lived there in 1954-55. does antbody remember him or my family?

Ruud, The Netherlands

- 2012-08-07 at 05:13

Just learned about the existence of Midway and am gripped by the whole story. Any tips were I can read more on Midway? Thanks in advance! Oh, and of course, keep posting!

Annie

- 2012-08-09 at 18:53

My father was stationed in Midway from 1969 to 1973. Our stay in Midway was the best part of my childhood. I miss those days. The island is so beautiful and serene with clear blue water and white sand beach. It was awesome.

Cecilia

- 2012-08-10 at 00:32

Wonderful childhood memories to cherish living in the Island. We had a great time. What does it look like now?

Michael Jahnke

- 2012-08-15 at 11:04

Was on the island in 1964 - 1965 as ET in US Navy working in the Comm Center. Have very fond memories and gr8 friends.

Holly

- 2012-08-18 at 04:05

My family was stationed there from 1975 to 1977. Best two years of my teenage life. Would love to go back just to see the birds and beaches.

BOB LOKTING em/2c

- 2012-08-29 at 02:40

I was staioned as a Navy electrician on Midway Atol for about 1 1/2 years in 1944-1945.
Really great memories and understand that about 60% of the sumarines operating in the Pacific Theater were based on Midway??

Rick Burwell

- 2012-09-06 at 03:08

I lived there for 3 years while I was a kid. My father Banny Burwell worked in the post office in the Navy. I dream of going back there some day.

Larry Pilkinton

- 2012-09-12 at 01:20

I was on Midway in 1964-1965, departing when the AEW Squadron was decommissioned. Despite the separation from the rest of the world, my time there was amazing. It is sad so much bad has occurred there for whatever reasons, so I hope it and the wildlife can be saved for future generations to enjoy.

Rich Kelley

- 2012-10-28 at 00:54

We were on Midway 1976-78. Two of our sons were with us, ages 2 and 5. Beautiful tropical paradise. Ideal weather. No traffic. White sand beach. Lovely.

Deana Richardson-Rogowski

- 2012-11-05 at 20:08

I lived on Midway Island my father was an Air Traffic Controller...mom had the little hotdog stand on the beach...I remember the theatre where we paid 25 cents to watch Mission Impossible and Star Trek!

Katherine (Kenerson) Hibbard

- 2012-11-13 at 08:10

I was born on Midway Island 5/16/1961

Sondra Lockett

- 2012-11-20 at 04:59

I was stationed there from 1979 to 1980, met some great people there I worked at the CMO. Doucette and Gracie were in charge while I was there. Anyone remember them?

Michael Earnest

- 2012-11-28 at 22:29

I visited Midway several times between 1986 and 1988 aboard USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22). Back in those days, Midway was an important logistics stop for us as we monitored the Soviet Navy while they test their ballistic missiles from Kamtchatka into the North Pacific. It was a mistake to hand this island over to the wildlife folks. I believe this island will be needed again against the Chinese soon.

Katie reader

- 2012-12-03 at 10:10

My dad, master chief Phil reader, brought us to Midway in the early 70's? What a wonderful place to be a child! I will go back someday.

Jim F.

- 2012-12-12 at 06:27

While teaching for the DoD in Okinawa we took a MAC flight to Hawaii for Christmas break. We stopped in Midway to refuel and enjoyed seeing the Gooney birds nesting and protecting their eggs. I remember if you got too close to the nest they would snap their beaks at you. Unfortunately we did not get to explore or dive the island.

Brian F

- 2012-12-18 at 14:48

My dads best friend was a civilian working there when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Al Husen died in Japanese prison camp.

ED Barchus

- 2012-12-20 at 09:29

on the island with family from 1-67 to 6-70 Cpo in charge of chiefs club former butcher @ com.store

charles bondy

- 2013-01-03 at 05:35

I just heard about the discovery of a plane in the lagoon by NOAA, and they expressed their surprise? Without being too disrespectful, I believe it was found in a part of the lagoon where the eco-nazi's infesting Midway prevented all visitors (fishermen, snorklers, divers, swimmers and historians) from any use of those waters. guess they thought our real intent was to carve up a haphazard monk seal for dinner. Its too bad that the 100% preservationists on that island have no respect for all the conservationists that have visited that island in the past.

Ron P

- 2013-01-16 at 09:22

Navy- Eastern island 1962/63 for a year...anyone else? Loved to circle the island after a storm to find glass fish net floats

DONALD E. SMITH

- 2013-01-22 at 11:22

WAS ON MIDWAY SEPT 59 TO SEPT 61

donald e smith

- 2013-01-22 at 11:29

was on midway sept 60 to sept 61

LindaC

- 2013-01-28 at 05:34

Was sent to Midway from Barbers Pt in 1982 as a security detail while it was being shut down/transfered to civilian use. Got the glass fish net float to prove it:) My dad had been there during WWII so we compared stories. The seaplan ramp was the only thing he remembered. It was being built/rebuilt when he saw it last. The wildlife was amazing to see. The base buildings being left to decay or burn was sad though. Everything changes with time I guess.

Linda

- 2013-02-10 at 08:31

Live there 1954-1955 father was station there remember the goodies birds Boston birds, hide and seek on the little hill etc.

David Shockley

- 2013-02-16 at 09:49

Spent 7 days on Midway, Summer 2000. Great

TERRY P. WILKINSON

- 2013-02-19 at 08:28

I was on midway Island from Jan 1970 to August 10, 1970. Most beautiful place in the world. I have a 25 inch fishball hanging in front of my house.

Bob Novak

- 2013-03-04 at 07:18

Was on the island two different times, once from 71-72 and again from 73>76. Best time of life in the island . remember doing the big parade there for the fourth of July in 1976

RM2 Mike Stewart

- 2013-03-06 at 02:00

Many fond memories of Midway from my tour jan 77 to Jul 78. I was HF Transmitter Site supervisor for 6 months of that time. I worked night shift - my duties: Change frequencies on two HF transmitters and two beacon transmitters @ around 11 p.m. and then again before I left for breakfast in the morning. Aside of that, I normally slept through the night and typically would go diving or fishing the follow day. Where can you do THAT and get PAID for it!!!

RM2 Tom Shaw

- 2013-03-23 at 02:02

I was stationed at NAFAC MIDWAY from Nov. 1976 until Dec. 1977. Loved the Island It was beautiful and the waters were so clear.

Dave Wamsley AFRTS

- 2013-03-25 at 06:28

Was on Midway 1975-77 as TV Director with the NBS Det. One of the greatest places on this planet.

Stacy (Wilber) Lata

- 2013-04-07 at 07:01

Thanks for the picture of the fairy tern. Lived on Midway as a very young child from 1966-69. Don't remember much, but the fairy tern is a special memory.

Eva Lemos

- 2013-04-09 at 02:39

What about plastic pollution which kill hundred of birds each year in Midway? Do you have any comment about it?

Scotty Morris Alabama

- 2013-04-15 at 06:24

I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments I wish I could visit one day

Terry Starr

- 2013-04-15 at 09:48

Midway was my first duty station in the Navy. I was there from April of 1970 to April of 1971 in the fire department. What a great place. I didn't know how good I had it until I was gone. Would love to go back!

Charlie Baillargeon

- 2013-04-20 at 03:11

First duty station after a school in 1964, almost 2 years and wish I could go back. Lived and worked on Eastern Is.

Warren Womack

- 2013-05-05 at 06:22

I called Midway my home: 1975-1977 (OMD). Meet my future wife there: Danita Watercott (NEX). We are still together after 38 wonderful years!!!

Duanne Buono

- 2013-05-18 at 11:14

My father was Commanding Officer of the Air Force detachment at Midway from 1965 to 1966. I have so many wonderful memories of the island. I think we all had gooney birds in our yards. Wish everyone could have the experience we all did as kids. Go George Cannon High School.

Thomas Richard Babbitt

- 2013-05-30 at 02:56

Midway Is was my first TAD duty station between 75 --76, Crash and Smash (fire dept)Dodged a lot of goonies in the yellow fire truck on the way to chow and knocked off my bike ( more then once )going home from the EM club.Levy Brief and I lit off the fireworks that year.Got Naui certified there and still going strong, Finished my navy career on the USS Ranger CV 61as a yellow shirt,great memories.

Kenny Jaeger

- 2013-06-07 at 11:38

My great friend, Kim Kelly and I went from Great Lakes boot camp to Midway Island in 1969.
President Nixon came for peace talks and the island was transformed from a quiet little Island into a news story.
That claim to fame lasted only a matter of hours and off President Nixon went to do whatever he did in 1969.
I have a lot of Midway Island stories both real and fiction (which oddly enough the real stories are more un-real than the partially made up 'sea-stories' and that's no chit! LOL