| CO U.S. Naval Air Station Midway Island. Action Report. | June 18, 1942 | |
| IN REPLY REFER TO- |
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
| NA38/A16-3 Serial 075 | 18 June 1942. |
| From: To: Via: Subject: Reference: |
The Commanding Oficer. The Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. The Commander Hawaiian Sea frontier. Report of Engagement with Enemy, Battle of Midway, 30 May to 7 June, 1942. (a) Article 712, U. S. Navy Regulations, 1920. |
Enclosure: |
(A) Diary for period 30 May to 7 June, 1942. (B) Contact Reports for period 30 May to 6 June, 1942. (C) Executive Officer, Naval Air Station, Midway Island, letter of 11 June, 1942. (D) Medical Officer, Naval Air Station, Midway Island, Report of Casualties, dated 12 June, 1942. (Copy). (E) Medical Officer, Naval Air Station, Midway Island, Supplementary Report of Casualties, dated 15 June, 1942. (Copy). (F) Commanding Officer, Sixth Defense Battalion, FMF, letter of 13 June, 1942. (G) Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 22, preliminary report of 8 June, 1942. (Copy). (H) Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 22, report dated 7 June, 1942. (I) Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron One letter of 9 June, 1942. (J) Report of Operations, Captain Logan C. Ramsey, USN, Operations Officer for Operational Control of Forces attached to Naval Air Station, Midway Island. |
1. In accordance with reference (a) report is made on engagement with Japanese forces, Battle of Midway, 30 May to 7 June, 1942.
2. The reports of VP Squadrons 23 and 44 and of the 7th Bomber Command (Army) are not now available. They will be forwarded when received.
| IN REPLY REFER TO- |
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
| Subject: | Report of Engagement with Enemy, Battle of Midway, 30 May to 7 June, 1942. |
3. There follows a summary of damage inflicted on the enemy by the forces operating from the Naval Air Station, Midway Island.
* 53 aircraft destroyed.
**14 aircraft damaged.
4 bomb hits on carriers.
2 bomb hits on battleships.
4 bomb hits on cruisers.
1 bomb hit on transport.
2 torpedo hits on transports.
3 hits by coast artillery on submarine.
* This includes reports of surviving personnel and probable victories of missing fighter pilots. This also includes ten (10) aircraft shot down by antiaircraft fire of Sixth Defense Battalion.
**This includes two (2) aircraft damaged by antiaircraft fire of Sixth Defense Battalion.
4. There follows a list of damage to the Naval Air Station, Midway Island:
See paragraph 6 of enclosure (H).
(1) High pressure brackish and salt water lines to Marine area torn out for a distance of forty (40) feet by direct bomb hit.
(2) 200,000 gallon water tank stays and down-pipe damaged.
(3) Three (3) fuel oil storage tanks (old Army tanks) completely destroyed by fire due to direct bomb hit.
(4) Direct bomb hit on Navy laundry building, demolishing one corner.
(5) Navy machine shop, paint storage building, and garage damaged by near bomb misses. Damage to equipment slight.
| IN REPLY REFER TO- |
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
| Subject: | Report of Engagement with Enemy, Battle of Midway, 30 May to 7 June, 1942. |
(6) Maintenance building badly damaged by near bomb misses. Equipment slightly damaged but repairable.
(7) Torpedo and bomb sight building damaged beyond economical repair.
(8) Parachute loft building seriously damaged but can be repaired.
(9). Squadrons warehouse considerably damaged and one corner demolished by direct boob hit. Can be repaired.
(10). Cold storage building, some walls wrecked. Refrigeration equipment undamaged. Still in operation.
(11). Contractors' canteen, being used by ship's service, completely demolished by fire.
(12). Navy mess hall and galley damaged but repairable. Brig demolished by direct bomb hit.
(13). Navy barracks #1 and #2, walls and windows badly damaged but repairable.
(14). Navy dispensary completely demolished by two (2) direct bomb hits and resulting fire.
(15). Two (2) contractors' superintendents buildings damaged but repairable, One (1) contractors' superintendents building completely demolished.
(16). Hanger completely burned (50% of steel framing in fair condition).
(17). Navy BOQ and Administration Building slightly damaged by concussion.
(18). Officers' Recreation Building slightly damaged.
(19) Two (2) Pan Air fuel storage tanks damaged by bomb fragments.
| IN REPLY REFER TO- |
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION MIDWAY ISLAND |
| Subject: | Report of Engagement with Enemy, Battle of Midway, 30 May to 7 June, 1942. |
(20) Four (4) Navy diesel and fuel oil storage tanks damaged by bomb fragments and strafing. (Leaks now plugged).
(21) Overhead wiring and electric line leads in contractors' camp burned and grounded.
(22) Two (2) one-half ton pick-up trucks and one station wagon demolished.
(23) Various repairable damage to trucks, cars and small equipment.
5. Report of casualties is contained in enclosures(D) and(E)
6. The Japanese did not appear to be aware of the fact that their aircraft would not be detected by Radar until within fifteen miles if a low approach from their carriers to Midway was made. Enemy planes first appeared on the Radar screen bearing 310 degrees, distance 93 miles, altitude 11,000 feet.
7. The Commanding Officer wishes to point out the inflammability of all of the permanent construction at this station, the power house excepted. All roofs are of tar paper and wood and the interior finish, walls, ceiling and flooring are wood. The steel frame work of most buildings withstood the blast of near bomb misses very well, but windows and interior walls were blown down. The location of the power house mitigates against its security during a bombardment by surface craft. It is situated on the shore line and because of its height and size makes an ideal target. The five (5) large water tanks can be sighted by surface craft while at a distance of between twenty-five (25) and thirty (30) miles at sea. These will be taken down as soon as pressure pumps now requested are received.
8. The conduct of all hands, Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Civilian, was of the highest order and recommendations for awards for conduct during this engagement will be covered by separate correspondence.
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