Battle of Midway

Introduction
The importance of Midway in the Pacific War
Clash of carriers
- Disposition of forces
- June 3
- June 4
  - The attack on Midway
  - Midway attacks and Nagumo’s decision
  - Attack by the American carriers
    - The flight of the Devastators
    - The Dauntlesses turn the tide
  - The Hiryu strikes back
  - Spruance in command
- June 5–6
Casualties and significance

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Battle of Midway

Battle of Midway summary

Battle of Midway

World War II [1942]

Written by

Michael Ray

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Dec. 1, 2025 •History

Battle of Midway, (June 3–6, 1942), World War II naval battle, fought almost entirely with aircraft, in which the United States destroyed Japan’s first-line carrier strength and most of its best trained naval pilots. Together with the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Battle of Midway ended the threat of further Japanese invasion in the Pacific. The Midway Islands were claimed for the United States on July 5, 1859, by Capt. N.C. Brooks. The coral atoll—consisting of...

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