This is the

order of battle In modern use, the order of battle of an armed force participating in a military operation or campaign shows the hierarchical organization, command structure, strength, disposition of personnel, and equipment of units and formations of the armed ...

for the

Battle of Midway The Battle of Midway was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that took place on 4–7 June 1942, six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea. The U.S. Navy under Adm ...

, a major engagement of the Pacific Theatre of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, fought 4–7 June 1942 by naval and air forces of Imperial Japan and the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

in the waters around

Midway Atoll Midway Atoll (colloquial: Midway Islands; haw, Kauihelani, translation=the backbone of heaven; haw, Pihemanu, translation=the loud din of birds, label=none) is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean. Midway Atoll is an insular area of the Unit ...

in the far northwestern

Hawaiian Islands The Hawaiian Islands ( haw, Nā Mokupuni o Hawai‘i) are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kur ...

. The Japanese had two purposes for the campaign: to occupy Midway for use as a base for long-range search planes (for which the Americans were already using it), and to draw the US Pacific Fleet out of its base at Pearl Harbor for a decisive showdown battle. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet (comprising all combat vessels) and mastermind of the Pearl Harbor Attack, was tasked with drawing up the operational plan. The Japanese Naval General Staff, responsible for strategic planning, required him to include a diversionary move as part of his detailed battle plan; they told him to include a side operation that would result in the capture of two islands in the Aleutians chain, believing that the occupation of even a tiny portion of a US possession would be sufficient to draw out the bulk of the Pacific Fleet. US Navy code-breaking, breathtaking Japanese overconfidence and the courage of American carrier fliers combined to create both a strategic and a tactical defeat for the Japanese: they failed to capture Midway and they suffered much greater losses in ships and planes than did the Americans (the loss of experienced naval pilots would prove to be particularly costly as the war dragged on). Midway put an end to Japanese expansion in the Pacific. Because the Japanese assumed the tactical initiative, their forces are listed first.

Overview

Ships involved in the Midway operation
''Losses indicated by *, counts in parentheses''

Combat vessels

Auxiliaries

Aircraft

Japan

Admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...

Isoroku Yamamoto
Commander, Combined Fleet
The only significant combat, both offensive and defensive, was experienced by Nagumo's First Striking Force. Kurita's transports were bombed with limited success by B-17s of the

US Army Air Corps The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1926 and 1941. After World War I, as early aviation became an increasingly important part of modern warfare, a philosophical ri ...

, but the vast majority Japanese ships saw no action during the entire Midway campaign.

First Fleet

First Fleet Main Force

Admiral Yamamoto in ''Yamato'' : 1st

Battleship A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of large caliber guns. It dominated naval warfare in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term ''battleship'' came into use in the late 1880s to describe a type of ...

Division :: 1 (9 × 18-in. main battery) ::: ( Rear Adm. Gihachi Takayanagi) :: 2 s (8 × 16-in. main battery) ::: (Rear Adm. Gunji Kogure) ::: (

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

Hideo Yano) : Carrier Group: :: CVL (Capt. Kaoru Umetani) ::: Air Unit: 8 Yokosuka B4Y1 'Jean' biplane torpedo bombers (

Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

Yoshiaki Irikiin) :: 1 (4 × 4.7-in. main battery) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Shizuka Kajimoto) :Special Force :: CVS (Capt. Kaku Harada) :: CVS (Capt. Katsumi Komazawa) :Screening Force :: 3rd

Destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...

Squadron Squadron may refer to: * Squadron (army), a military unit of cavalry, tanks, or equivalent subdivided into troops or tank companies * Squadron (aviation), a military unit that consists of three or four flights with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, de ...

:: Rear Admiral Shintaro Hashimoto in ''Sendai'' ::: 1 (7 × 5.5-in. main battery) :::: (Capt. Nobue Morishita) ::: 11th Destroyer Division (Capt. Kichiro Shoji) :::: 4 s (6 × 5-in. main battery) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Shizuo Yamashita) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Rokoro Sugawara) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Junnari Kamiura) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Hideo Higashi) ::: 19th Destroyer Division (Capt. Ranji Oe) :::: 4 s (6 × 5-in. main battery) ::::: (Cmdr. Ryokichi Sugama) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Tsutomu Hagio) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Akifumi Kawahashi) ::::: (Cmdr. Eiji Sakuma) : 1st Supply Group : Captain Shigeyasu Nishioka in ''Naruto'' :: AO ''Naruto'' (Capt. Nishioka) :: AO ''Toei Maru''

First Carrier Striking Force /
First Air Fleet The , also known as the ''Kidō Butai'' ("Mobile Force"), was a name used for a combined carrier battle group comprising most of the aircraft carriers and carrier air groups of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the first eight months of the P ...

Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo in ''Akagi'' : 1st Carrier Division : Vice Admiral Nagumo :: (Capt.

Taijiro Aoki was a career officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Aoki graduated from the 41st class of Naval Academy at Etajima in December 1913, ranking 90 out of 118 Cadets. His classmates included Ryūnosuke Kusaka, Masatomi Kimura and ...

) ::: Air Unit (

Commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...

Mitsuo Fuchida) :::: 18

Mitsubishi A6M2 The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" is a long-range carrier-based fighter aircraft formerly manufactured by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and was operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. The A6M wa ...

Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Cmdr. Shigeru Itaya) :::: 18 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers (Lt. Takehiko Chihaya) :::: 18

Nakajima B5N2 The Nakajima B5N ( ja, 中島 B5N, Allied reporting name "Kate") was the standard carrier-based torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for much of World War II. Although the B5N was substantially faster and more capable than its Al ...

'Kate' torpedo bombers (Lt. Cmdr.

Shigeharu Murata was a torpedo bomber pilot officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. He was the commander of torpedo bombers in the Attack on Pearl Harbor that crippled several United States Navy (USN) battleships and during the Battle of t ...

) :: (Capt. Jisaku Okada†) ::: Air Unit ( Lt. Cmdr. Tadashi Kusumi†): :::: 18 Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Masao Sato) :::: 18 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers (Lt. Shoichi Ogawa†) :::: 27 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers (Lt. Ichiro Kitajima) : 2nd Carrier Division : Rear Admiral

Tamon Yamaguchi was a rear admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy who served during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and in the Pacific War during World War II. Yamaguchi′s carrier force was part of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He subsequently participated in th ...

† in ''Hiryū'' :: (Capt. Tomeo Kaku†) ::: Air Unit (Lt. Joichi Tomonaga†) :::: 18 Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Shigeru Mori†) :::: 18 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers (Lt. Michio Kobayashi†) :::: 18 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers (Lt. Rokuro Kikuchi†) :: (Capt.

Ryusaku Yanagimoto was captain of the aircraft carrier in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Biography A native of Hirado, Nagasaki Prefecture, The Yanagimoto family were descendants of Shinto priests who had been sent from Ise Jingu to Hirado in th ...

†) ::: Air Unit (Lt. Cmdr. Takashige Egusa) :::: 18 Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Masaji Suganami) :::: 16 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers (Lt. Masai Ikeda) :::: 18 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers (Lt. Heijiro Abe) :::: 2 Yokosuka D4Y1 'Judy' dive bombers : Support Group :: 8th Cruiser Division :: Rear Admiral

Hiroaki Abe was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Biography Early career Abe was born in Yonezawa city in Yamagata prefecture in northern Japan. He graduated from the 39th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1911, ...

in ''Tone'' ::: 2 heavy cruisers (8 × 7.9-in. main battery) :::: (Capt. Tametsugu Okada) ::::: Air Unit: 3 Aichi E13A1 Type 0 'Jake' float planes, 2 Nakajima E8N2 Type 95 'Dave' float planes :::: (Capt. Keizo Komura) ::::: Air Unit: 3 Aichi E13A1 Type 0 'Jake' float planes, 2 Nakajima E8N2 Type 95 'Dave' float planes :: 3rd Battleship Division, 2nd Section :: Rear Admiral Tamotsu Takama in ''Haruna'' ::: 2 fast battleships (8 × 14-in. main battery) :::: (Rear Adm. Takama) ::::: Air unit: 3 Nakajima E8N2 Type 95 'Dave' float planes :::: (Capt.

Sanji Iwabuchi was a rear admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Pacific War of World War II. He committed suicide after facing imminent defeat during the Battle of Manila (1945), Battle of Manila. Units under his command committed the Manila massacre. ...

) ::::: Air unit: 3 Nakajima E8N2 Type 95 'Dave' float planes : Screening Force :: 10th Destroyer Squadron :: Rear Admiral

Susumu Kimura , was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He commanded Destroyer Squadron 10 which participated in several important naval battles at the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Biography ...

in ''Nagara'' ::: 1 light cruiser (7 × 5.5-in. main battery) :::: (Capt. Toshio Naoi) ::: 4th Destroyer Division (Capt.

Kōsaku Aruga Kōsaku, Kosaku or Kousaku (written: 功作, 宏作, 幸作, 耕作, 耕筰, 興作, 孝作 or 浩作) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese baseball player *, Imperial Japanese Navy admiral *, Japan ...

) :::: 4 s (6 × 5-in. main battery) ::::: (Cmdr. Magataro Koga) ::::: (Cmdr. Yusumasa Watanabe) ::::: (Cmdr. Juichi Iwagami) ::::: (Cmdr. Seiji Nakasugi) ::: 10th Destroyer Division (Capt. Toshio Abe) :::: 3 s (6 × 5-in. main battery) ::::: (Cmdr. Masayoshi Yoshida) ::::: (Cmdr. Shigeo Semba) ::::: (Cmdr. Isamu Fujita) ::: 17th Destroyer Division (Capt. Masayuki Kitamura) :::: 4 s (6 × 5-in. main battery) ::::: (Cmdr. Nagayoshi Shiraishi) ::::: (Cmdr. Shunichi Toyoshima) ::::: (Cmdr. Motoi Katsumi) ::::: (Cmdr. Tsuneo Orita) : Supply Group 1 : Captain Masanao Ota in ''Kyokuto Maru'' :: 1 (6 × 5-in. main battery) ::: (Cmdr. Shohei Soma) :: AO ''Kyokuto Maru'' (Capt. Ota) :: AO ''Shinkoku Maru'' (Capt. Tokugyo Ito) :: AO (Capt. Kazutaka Niimi) :: AO ''Nippon Maru'' (Capt. Hironosuke Ueda) :: AO ''Kokuyo Maru'' (Capt. Toraji Hidai)

Second Fleet (Midway Invasion Force)

Japanese battleship Hiei underway in Tokyo Bay on 11 July 1942 (NH 73075)

Second Fleet Main Body

Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondō in ''Atago'' : 3rd Battleship Division less 2nd Section : Vice Admiral

Gunichi Mikawa was a vice-admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. Mikawa was the commander of a heavy cruiser force that won a spectacular IJN victory over the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Navy at the Battle of Savo Island in Ir ...

:: 2 fast battleships (8 × 14-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Tomiji Koyanagi) ::: (Capt. Masao Nishida) : 4th Cruiser Division less 2nd Section : Vice Admiral Kondo :: 2 heavy cruisers (10 × 7.9-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Baron

Matsuji Ijuin Baron was a commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, who was promoted posthumously to vice admiral after being killed in action in combat off Saipan. Life and military career Born in the Kōjimachi district of Tokyo, Ijui ...

) ::: (Capt. Mikio Hayakawa) : 5th Cruiser Division : Vice Admiral Takeo Takagi :: 2 heavy cruisers (10 × 7.9-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Teruhiko Miyoshi) ::: (Capt. Tomokazu Mori) : Screening Force :: 4th Destroyer Squadron :: Rear Admiral

Shoji Nishimura A is a door, window or room divider used in traditional Japanese architecture, consisting of translucent (or transparent) sheets on a lattice frame. Where light transmission is not needed, the similar but opaque ''fusuma'' is used (oshiire/ ...

in ''Yura'' ::: 1 light cruiser (7 × 5.5-in. main battery) :::: (Capt.

Shiro Sato Shiro, Shirō, Shirow or Shirou may refer to: People * Amakusa Shirō (1621–1638), leader of the Shimabara Rebellion * Ken Shiro (born 1992), Japanese boxer * Shiro Azumi, Japanese football player 1923–1925 * Shiro Ichinoseki (born 1944), Ja ...

) ::: 3rd Destroyer Division (Capt. Ranji Oe) :::: 4 s ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Naoji Suenaga) ::::: (Cmdr. Takisaburo Matsubara) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Masao Kamiyama) ::::: (Cmdr. Kiyoshi Kamiyama) ::: 9th Destroyer Division (Capt. Yasuo Sato) :::: 3 s ::::: (Cmdr. Toru Iwahashi) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Yasuatsu Suzuki) ::::: (Lt. Cmdr. Moritaro Tsukamoto) : Carrier Group : Captain Sueo Obayashi :: CVL (Capt. Obayashi) ::: 12 Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Saneyasu Hidaka) ::: 12 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers (Lt. Kaji Matsuo) :: 1 (4 × 4.7-in. main battery) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Saneho Maeda) : Supply Group : Captain Jiro Murao in ''Sata'' :: AO ''Sata'' (Capt. Murao) :: AO ''Tsurumi'' (Capt. Toshizo Fujita) :: AO ''Genyo Maru'' (Capt. Shigetaro Ogawa) :: AO ''Kenyo Maru'' (Capt. Yoshio Kanemasu) :: AR ''

Akashi Akashi may refer to: People *Akashi (surname) Places *Akashi, Hyōgo *Akashi Station, a Japanese railroad station on the Sanyō Main Line *Akashi Strait *Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, crossing the former *Akashi Castle *Akashi Domain * Akashi, the name ...

'' (Capt. Tsunekichi Fukuzawa)

Midway Occupation Force

Rear Admiral

Raizo Tanaka Raizo or Raizō is a Japanese-origin masculine given name. It is uncommon as a surname. People with the name or its variants include: * Raizo Ichikawa, Japanese film and kabuki actor * Raizo Matsuno (松野頼三 Matsuno Raizō; 1917 - 2006), ...

in ''Jintsu'' : Transport Group carrying about 5000 troops under Captain Minoru Ōta, IJN and

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

Kiyonao Ichiki,

IJA IJA may refer to: * Imperial Japanese Army * ''International Journal of Astrobiology'' * International Jugglers' Association * ''International Journal of Audiology'' * International Juridical Association (1931–1942) {{disambiguation ...

:: Transports ::: ''Kiyosumi Maru'' (Capt. Seiichiro Kito) ::: ''Keiyo Maru'' (Capt. Masamichi Ikeuchi) ::: ''Zenyo Maru'' ::: '' Goshu Maru'' (Capt. Hiyoshi Furuya) ::: ''Toa Maru No. 2 Go'' ::: ''Kano Maru'' (Capt. Tomosaburo Miura) ::: '' Argentina Maru'' (Cmdr. Takeshi Watanabe) ::: ''Hokuroku Maru'' (Capt. Hiotaro Tsukagoshi) ::: ''

Brazil Maru ''Brazil Maru'' was a Japanese cargo ship requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II as a troop transport and prisoner of war (POW) transport ship. Japanese POW transport ships are usually referred to as hell ships, due to th ...

'' (Capt. Kyujiro Jintsu) ::: ''Kirishima Maru'' (Capt. Hiroshi Okubo) ::: ''Azuma Maru'' (Capt. Nobuyoshi Morikawa) ::: '' Nankai Maru'' (Capt. Akira Maki) :: Patrol Boats ::: '' Patrol Boat #1'' ::: '' Patrol Boat #2'' ::: '' Patrol Boat #34'' also carrying SNLF detachment :: AO ''Akebono Maru'' (damaged by torpedo night of June 3–4) (Capt. Miki Otsuka) : Escort Force : Rear Admiral Tanaka :: 1 (7 × 5.5-in. main battery) ::: CL (Capt. Torazo Kozai) :: 15th Destroyer Division (Capt. Torajiro Sato) ::: 2 s :::: (Cmdr. Tamaki Ugaki) :::: (Cmdr. Tokiyoshi Arima) :: 16th Destroyer Division (Capt. Shiro Shibuya) ::: 4 s :::: (Cmdr. Kenjiro Tobita) :::: (Cmdr.

Tameichi Hara was an Imperial Japanese Navy, Imperial Japanese naval commander during the Pacific War and the author of the IJN manual on torpedo attack techniques, notable for his skill in torpedo warfare and night fighting. Hara was the only IJN destroyer ...

) :::: (Cmdr. Giichiro Nakahara) :::: (Cmdr. Kameshiro Takahashi) :: 18th Destroyer Division (Capt. Yoshito Miyasaka) ::: 2 s :::: (Cmdr. Shizuo Akazawa) :::: (Cmdr. Minoru Yokoi) ::: 2 s :::: (Cmdr. Kiyoshi Tomura) :::: (Cmdr. Tomoe Ogata) :

Seaplane Tender A seaplane tender is a boat or ship that supports the operation of seaplanes. Some of these vessels, known as seaplane carriers, could not only carry seaplanes but also provided all the facilities needed for their operation; these ships are rega ...

Group : Rear Admiral Ruitaro Fujita in ''Chitose'' :: 11th Seaplane Tender Division ::: CVS (Capt. Tamotsu Furukawa) :::: 16

Nakajima A6M2-N The Nakajima A6M2-N (Navy Type 2 Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber) was a single-crew floatplane based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11. The Allied reporting name for the aircraft was Rufe. Design and development The A6M2-N floatplane was develo ...

'Rufe' floatplane fighters :::: 4 Aichi E13A 'Jake' scout floatplanes ::: AV (Capt. Tarohachi Shinoda) :::: 8 Nakajima A6M2-N 'Rufe' floatplane fighters :::: 4 Aichi E13A 'Jake' scout floatplanes :: 1 ::: (Cmdr. Kiyoshi Kaneda) :: '' Patrol Boat #35'' (carrying troops)

Midway Support Force

Vice Admiral

Takeo Kurita was a vice admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. Kurita commanded IJN 2nd Fleet, the main Japanese attack force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history. Biography Early life Takeo Kurita ...

in ''Kumano'' : 7th Cruiser Division (Vice Adm. Kurita) :: (Capt. Kikumatsu Tanaka) :: (Capt.

Masatomi Kimura , was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Biography Although born into the Kondō family of Shizuoka city Shizuoka Prefecture, Kimura was adopted by a family in Tottori city, Tottori prefecture soon after birth, and c ...

) :: (Capt. Shakao Sakiyama†) :: (Capt. Akira Soji) : 8th Destroyer Division (Cmdr. Nobuki Ogawa) :: 2 s ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Goro Yoshii) ::: (Cmdr. Hideo Kuboki) : Attached Oiler :: AO ''Nichiei Maru'' (Capt. Matsushi Yamamoto) : Minesweeper Group : Captain Sadatomo Miyamoto :: 4 auxiliary minesweepers ::: '' Tama Maru #3'' (Lt. (j.g.) Atsutoshi Yamaguchi) ::: '' Tama Maru #5'' (Lt. Akira Takato) ::: '' Showa Maru #7'' (Lt. Teruhisa Takahashi) ::: '' Showa Maru #8'' (Lt. (j.g.) Kiichi Sasaki) :: 3

subchasers A submarine chaser or subchaser is a small naval vessel that is specifically intended for anti-submarine warfare. Many of the American submarine chasers used in World War I found their way to Allied nations by way of Lend-Lease in World War II. ...

::: '' Subchaser #16'' (Lt. Yasukichi Suzuki) ::: '' Subchaser #17'' (Lt. Shigematsu Yoshioka) ::: '' Subchaser #18'' (Lt. Mitsugu Miyoi) : 1 supply ship :: '' Soya'' (Cmdr. Toshi Kubota) : 2 cargo ships :: ''Meiyo Maru'' (Capt. Hisao Koizumi) :: '' Yamafuku Maru'' (Capt. Torao Honda)

Advance (
Submarine A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
) Force (Sixth Fleet)

Vice Admiral

Teruhisa Komatsu Marquis was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. Born as HIH Kitashirakawa-no-miya Teruhisa, as the younger son of HIH Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa, his title was devolved from royal status that that of the ''kazoku'' pe ...

in at

Kwajalein Kwajalein Atoll (; Marshallese: ) is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island, which its majority English-speaking residents (about 1,000 mostly U.S. civilia ...

: 1 (4 × 5.5-in. main battery) :: (Capt. Noboru Owada) : 3rd Submarine Squadron : Rear Admiral Chimaki Kona in ''Rio de Janeiro Maru'' at

:: 19th Submarine Division (Capt. Ryojiro Ono) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Katsuo Ohashi) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Sakae Nakajima) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Soshichi Kitamura) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Tamori Yoshimatsu) :: 13th Submarine Division (Capt. Takeji Miyazaki) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Yasuo Fujimori) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Sadatoshi Norita) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Toshitake Ueno) :: 30th Submarine Division (Capt. Maseo Teraoka) ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

Takakazu Kinashi , was a submarine commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He is noted for the sinking of the American aircraft carrier and destroyer and severely damaging the battleship with a single spread of six torpedoes as captain of ...

) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Hakue Jarada) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Makio Tanaka)

Shore-based Air Force

Kawanishi H6K Type 97 Transport Flying Boat Mavis H6K-8s

Eleventh Air Fleet
Vice Admiral Nishizo Tsukahara at Tinian : Midway Expeditionary Force (Capt. Chisato Morita) :: 36

Mitsubishi A6M Zero The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" is a long-range carrier-based aircraft, carrier-based fighter aircraft formerly manufactured by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and was operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 19 ...

fighters Fighter(s) or The Fighter(s) may refer to: Combat and warfare * Combatant, an individual legally entitled to engage in hostilities during an international armed conflict * Fighter aircraft, a warplane designed to destroy or damage enemy warplan ...

(Lt.

Tadashi Kaneko (25 February 1912 – 14 November 1942) was an officer, ace fighter pilot, and leader in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War. Before his death in combat, Kaneko was officially credited with de ...

) :: 10 Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty' level bombers at

Wake Island Wake Island ( mh, Ānen Kio, translation=island of the kio flower; also known as Wake Atoll) is a coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean in the northeastern area of the Micronesia subregion, east of Guam, west of Honolulu, southeast of To ...

:: 6

flying boats A flying boat is a type of fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a floatplane in that a flying boat's fuselage is purpose-designed for floatation and contains a hull, while floatplanes rely on fusela ...

Jaluit Jaluit Atoll ( Marshallese: , , or , ) is a large coral atoll of 91 islands in the Pacific Ocean and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is , and it encloses a lagoon with an area of . Most ...

24th Air Flotilla The 24th Air Flotilla (第二十四航空戦隊, Dai-Nijūyon Kōkū-Sentai) was a combat aviation unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific Campaign of World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abb ...

(Rear Adm. Minoru Maeda) ::

Chitose Air Group The Chitose Air Group (Chitose Kōkūtai) was an air group of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. The group was formed on 1 October 1939 at Chitose Airfield, Hokkaidō is Japan's second largest island and comprises th ...

(Capt. Fujiro Ohashi) ::: 36 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters ::: 36

'Kate' torpedo bombers :: 1st Air Group at

Aur AUR, or aur, may refer to: * Acute urinary retention * African Union of Railways * Alliance for Romanian Unity * Alliance for the Union of Romanians * American University of Rome * Arch User Repository * Aur Atoll, Marshall Islands * Auriga const ...

and

Wotje Wotje Atoll ( Marshallese: , ) is a coral atoll of 75 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. Geography Wotje's land area of is one of the largest in the Marshall Islands, and en ...

(Capt. Samaji Inoue) ::: 36 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters ::: 36 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers :: 14th Air Group (Capt. Daizo Nakajima) ::: 36

Kawanishi H6K The Kawanishi H6K was an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat produced by the Kawanishi Aircraft Company and used during World War II for maritime patrol duties. The Allied reporting name for the type was Mavis; the Navy designation was . Design ...

'Mavis' flying boats at Jaluit and Wotje

Northern Area Force

Fifth Fleet Main Body

Vice Admiral

Boshirō Hosogaya was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Biography Hosogaya was born to a farming family in Nozawa, Nagano prefecture in 1888. He graduated from the 36th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1908. He was ranked ...

in ''Nachi'' : 1 heavy cruiser :: (Capt. Takahiko Kiyota) : 2 s :: (Lt. Cmdr. Hajime Takeuchi) :: (Lt. Cmdr. Shunsaku Kudo) : Supply Group: :: AO ''Fujisan Maru'' (Capt. Kikuta Maki) :: AO ''

Nissan Maru ''Nissan Maru'' () was a Japanese cargo ship completed in 1939 owned by Nissan Kisen K.K. that was requisitioned for service as an auxiliary collier and oiler by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She served with the 5th Fleet and w ...

'' (Capt. Hachiro Naotsuka) :: AC ''Muroto'' (Capt. Masaji Yamagata) :: AP ''Akashisan Maru'' (Capt. Yoshio Hosoya) :: AF '' Tōkō Maru No. 2 Go''

Second Carrier Striking Force

Rear Admiral

Kakuji Kakuta , was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. He is noted for his role in commanding Japanese naval aviation units in the Pacific War. Biography Kakuta was a native of rural Minamikanbara, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. He gra ...

in ''Ryujo'' : 4th Carrier Division (Rear Adm. Kakuta) :: CVL (Capt. Tadeo Kato) ::: Air Unit (Lt. Masayuki Yamagami) :::: 16

Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Minoru Kobayashi) :::: 21

'Kate' torpedo bombers (Lt. Yamagami) :: CV (Capt. Shizue Isii) ::: Air Unit (Lt.

Yoshio Shiga was an officer, ace fighter pilot, and leader in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific theater of World War II. At the December 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor, Shiga led one of the aircraft carrier ...

) :::: 24 Mitsubishi A6M Zero Type 21 'Zeke' fighters (Lt. Shiga) :::: 15 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers (Lt. Zenji Abe) : 4th Cruiser Division, 2nd Section (Capt. Shunsaku Nabeshima in ''Maya'') :: 2 heavy cruisers ::: (Capt. Bunji Asakura) ::: (Capt. Nabeshima) : 7th Destroyer Division (Capt. Kaname Konishi) :: 3 s ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Minoru Nakagawa) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Yoshitake Uesugi) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Hiroshi Uwai) : AO ''Teiyo Maru'' (Capt. Katasuke Tanaka)

Aleutian Support Force

Vice Admiral

Shiro Takasu Shiro, Shirō, Shirow or Shirou may refer to: People * Amakusa Shirō (1621–1638), leader of the Shimabara Rebellion * Ken Shiro (born 1992), Japanese boxer * Shiro Azumi, Japanese football player 1923–1925 * Shiro Ichinoseki (born 1944), Ja ...

in ''Hyūga'' : 2nd Battleship Division (Vice Adm. Takasu) :: (Capt. Chozaemon Obata) :: (Capt.

Chiaki Matsuda ''Translated from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia'' Rear Admiral Matsuda Chiaki (Japanese: 松田千秋) (29 September 1896 – 6 November 1995) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy and the third captain of the ''Yama ...

) :: (Capt. Isamu Takeda) :: (Capt. Gunji Kogure) : Screening Force (Rear Adm. Fukuji Kishi] in ''Kitakami'') :: 9th Cruiser Division (Rear Adm. Kishi) ::: CL (Capt. Saiji Norimitsu) ::: CL (Capt. Moichi Narita) :: 20th Destroyer Division (Capt. Yuji Yamada) ::: 4 s :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Nisaburo Maekawa) :::: (Cmdr. Masayoshi Motokura) :::: (Cmdr. Toyoji Hitomi) :::: (Capt. Buichi Ashida) :: 24th Destroyer Division (Capt. Yasuji Hirai) ::: 4 s :::: (Cmdr. Nagahide Sugitani) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Shuichi Hamanaka) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Kazuo Wakabayashi) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Kazuo Shibayama) :: 27th Destroyer Division (Capt. Matake Yoshimura) ::: 2 s :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Shoichi Yoshida) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Kiyoshi Kamo) ::: 2 s :::: (Cmdr. Noboru Seo) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Kanematsu Hashimoto) : Supply Group (Capt. Matsuo Eguchi) :: AO ''San Clemente Maru'' (Capt. Eguchi) :: AO ''Toa Maru'' (Capt. Yataro Yokohama)

= Attu Island, Attu Invasion Force

Rear Admiral Sentarō Ōmori in ''Abukuma'' : CL (Capt. Seiroku Murayama) : 21st Destroyer Division (Capt. Toshio Shimizu) :: 4 s ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Masakichi Kuroki) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Saburo Terauchi) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Hiroshi Makino) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Satoru Kohama) : ML '' Magane Maru'' (Capt. Heiji Sasaki) : AP ''Kinugasa Maru'' (Capt. Naoshi Arima) carrying 1,200 army troops under Major Matsutoshi Hozumi

=
Kiska Kiska ( ale, Qisxa, russian: Кыска) is one of the Rat Islands, a group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is about long and varies in width from . It is part of Aleutian Islands Wilderness and as such, special permission is required ...
Invasion Force

= Captain Takeji Ono in ''Kiso'' : 21st Cruiser Division (Capt. Ono) :: 2 s ::: (Capt. Ono) ::: (Capt. Masaharu Kawabata) :: 2 auxiliary

cruiser A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several roles. The term "cruiser", which has been in use for several hu ...

s ::: ''Asaka Maru'' (Capt. Jiro Ban) ::: ''Awata Maru'' (Capt. Kikuta Maki) : Screening Force :: 6th Destroyer Division (Capt. Yusuke Tamada) ::: 2 s :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Hagumu Ishii) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Osamu Takasuka) ::: 1 :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Tomo Tanaka) : 13th Minesweeper Division (Capt. Toshio Mitsuka) :: '' Hakuhō Maru'' :: ''Kaihō Maru'' :: '' Shunkotsu Maru'' : Transports :: '' Hakusan Maru'' (Capt. Hareyoshi Goto) carrying 550 troops under Lt. Cmdr. Hifumi Mukai :: '' Kumagawa Maru'' (Capt. Shiro Yoshida) carrying 700 labor troops with construction equipment : Submarine Detachment :: 1st Submarine Squadron (Rear Adm. Shigeaki Yamakazi) ::: (Cmdr. Akiyoshi Fujii) ::: 2nd Submarine Division (Capt. Hiroshi Imazato) :::: (Cmdr. Nobuo Ishikawa) :::: (Cmdr. Kozo Nishino) :::: (Cmdr. Shogo Narahara) ::: 4th Submarine Division (Capt. Mitsuru Nagai) ::::: (Cmdr. Akiji Tagami) :::: (Cmdr. Minoru Yokota) : Aleutian Seaplane Tender Force (Capt. Keiichi Ujuku) :: AV '' Kimikawa Maru'' (Capt. Ujuku) ::: Air Unit: 8 3-seat floatplanes :: 1 ::: (Lt. Yoji Tanegashima)

United States

The US Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas were under the overall command of

Chester W. Nimitz Chester William Nimitz (; February 24, 1885 – February 20, 1966) was a fleet admiral in the United States Navy. He played a major role in the naval history of World War II as Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, and Commander in C ...

Task Force 17

Sinking_of_the_USS_Yorktown_%28CV-5%29_01

Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher in ''Yorktown'' : Task Group 17.5 (Carrier Group) :: (

Elliott Buckmaster) :::''Yorktown'' Air Group (

Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding rank i ...

Oscar Pederson) :::: 25

Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat The Grumman F4F Wildcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that entered service in 1940 with the United States Navy, and the British Royal Navy where it was initially known as the Martlet. First used by the British in the North Atla ...

fighters (

VF-3 Fighter Squadron 3 or VF-3, was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established on 1 July 1922, it was disestablished in May 1924. VF-6 squadron was redesignated as VF-3 from July 1, 1937 until July 14, 1943. VF-31 squadron ...

– Lt. Cmdr.

John S. Thach John Smith Thach (April 19, 1905 – April 15, 1981) was a World War II Naval Aviator, air combat tactician, and United States Navy admiral. Thach developed the Thach Weave, a combat flight formation which could counter enemy fighters of superior ...

) :::: 18

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. The SBD ("Scout Bomber Douglas") was the United States Navy's main carrier-based scout/d ...

dive bombers (VB-3 – Lt. Cmdr. Maxwell F. Leslie) :::: 19

dive bombers (VS-5 – Lt. Wallace C. Short, Jr.) :::: 13 Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers (

VT-3 } Vermont's 3rd congressional district is an obsolete district. It was created in 1803. It was eliminated after the 1880 Census. Its last Congressman was William W. Grout William Wallace Grout (May 24, 1836October 7, 1902) was an American po ...

– Lt. Cmdr. Lance E. Massey†) : Task Group 17.2 (Cruiser Group) : Rear Admiral William W. Smith in ''Astoria'' :: 1 ''New Orleans''-class heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Francis W. Scanland) :: 1 ''Portland''-class heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery) ::: (Capt.

Laurance T. DuBose Laurance Toombs DuBose (May 21, 1893 – July 11, 1967) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of four-star Admiral. A veteran of several conflicts, including both World Wars, he distinguished himself several time ...

) : Task Group 17.4 (Destroyer Screen) : Captain Gilbert Hoover, COMDESRON 2 :: 5 ''Sims''-class destroyers (4 × 5-in. main battery) ::: (

Arnold E. True Arnold Ellsworth True (January 23, 1901 – December 11, 1979) was a highly decorated officer in the U.S. Navy with the rank of rear admiral, who is most famous for his service as Commanding officer of the ''Sims''-class destroyer during the Ba ...

) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. William M. Hobby, Jr.) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Donald J. Ramsey) ::: (Cmdr. Harry B. Jarrett) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. J. C. Pollock) :: 1 ''Gleaves''-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery) ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

John M. Higgins John McLaughlin Higgins (17 April 1961 – 21 November 2006) was an American reporter and editor specializing in the cable television industry. His writings were often cited by academics, government officials, and other journalists, and a journal ...

)

Task Force 16

Rear Admiral

Raymond A. Spruance Raymond Ames Spruance (July 3, 1886 – December 13, 1969) was a United States Navy admiral during World War II. He commanded U.S. naval forces during one of the most significant naval battles that took place in the Pacific Theatre: the Battle ...

in ''Enterprise'' : Task Group 16.5 (Carrier Group): :: (Capt.

George D. Murray George Dominic Murray (July 6, 1889 – June 18, 1956) was an admiral in the United States Navy and an early naval aviator. Biography Murray was born in Boston, Massachusetts, attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1911 and becomin ...

) ::: ''Enterprise'' Air Group (Lt. Cmdr.

C. Wade McClusky Rear Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr., (June 1, 1902 – June 27, 1976) was a United States Navy aviator during World War II and the early Cold War period. He is credited with having played a major part in the Battle of Midway. In the words o ...

) :::: 27 F4F-4 fighters ( VF-6 – Lt. James S. Gray) :::: 19 SBD-2/3 dive bombers (VB-6 – Lt. Richard H. Best) :::: 19 SBD-2/3 dive bombers (VS-6 – Lt. Wilmer E. Gallaher) :::: 14 TBD-1 torpedo bombers (VT-6 – Lt. Cmdr.

Eugene E. Lindsey Eugene E. Lindsey (July 2, 1905 – June 4, 1942) was an officer and aviator in the United States Navy. He is the namesake of the destroyer . Naval career Lindsey was born in Sprague, Washington, on 2 July 1905 and graduated from the United State ...

†) :: (Capt.

Marc A. Mitscher Marc Andrew "Pete" Mitscher (January 26, 1887 – February 3, 1947) was a pioneer in naval aviation who became an Admiral (United States), admiral in the United States Navy, and served as commander of the Fast Carrier Task Force in the Pacific d ...

, promoted to Rear Adm en route) ::: ''Hornet'' Air Group (Cmdr. Stanhope C. Ring) :::: 27 F4F-4 fighters ( VF-8 – Lt. Cmdr. Samuel G. Mitchell) :::: 19 SBD-2/3 dive bombers (VB-8 – Lt. Cmdr. Robert R. Johnson) :::: 18 SBD-1/2/3 dive bombers (VS-8 – Lt. Cmdr. Walter F. Rodee) :::: 15 TBD-1 torpedo bombers (

VT-8 Torpedo Squadron 8 (VT-8) was a United States Navy squadron of World War II torpedo bombers. VT-8 was assigned initially to the air group of the aircraft carrier , joining the ship shortly after her commissioning in October 1941. After heavy lo ...

– Lt. Cmdr.

John C. Waldron John Charles Waldron (August 24, 1900 – June 4, 1942) was a United States Navy aviator who led a squadron of torpedo bombers in World War II. He was among the twenty-nine men in his squadron who perished in the Battle of Midway. Birth and ...

†) : Task Group 16.2 (Cruiser Group) : Rear Admiral

Thomas C. Kinkaid Thomas Cassin Kinkaid (3 April 1888 – 17 November 1972) was an admiral in the United States Navy, known for his service during World War II. He built a reputation as a "fighting admiral" in the aircraft carrier battles of 1942 and commanded t ...

, COMCRUDIV 6 :: 1 ''Pensacola''-class heavy cruiser (10 × 8-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Frank L. Lowe) :: 1 ''Northampton''-class heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. William D. Chandler Jr.) :: 3 ''New Orleans''-class heavy cruisers (9 × 8-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Howard H. Good) ::: (Capt.

Frank J. Lowry Vice Admiral Frank Jacob Lowry (15 February 1888 – 26 March 1955) was an officer in the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II. A 1911 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he served on submarines during World War ...

) ::: (Capt. Frederick L. Riefkohl) :: 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser (16 × 5-in. main battery) ::: (Capt. Samuel P. Jenkins) : Task Group 16.4 (Destroyer Screen) : Captain Alexander R. Early, COMDESRON 1 ::

Destroyer Squadron 1 Destroyer Squadron ONE, also known as ''Destroyer Squadron 1'' and often abbreviated at '' DESRON ONE'' or ''DESRON 1'', is a squadron of warships of the United States Navy. It is an operational component of Carrier Strike Group One and is adminis ...

::: 1 ''Porter''-class destroyer (8 × 5-in. main battery) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Edward L. Beck) ::: 3 ''Farragut''-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. William G. Pogue) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. William P. Burford) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. George R. Phelan) :: Destroyer Squadron 6 ::: 1 ''Gridley''-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Gelzer L. Sims) ::: 2 ''Benham''-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Joseph M. Worthington) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Francis H. Gardner) ::: 1 ''Mahan''-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Henry C. Daniel) ::: 1 ''Porter''-class destroyer (8 × 5-in. main battery) :::: (Lt. Cmdr. Harold H. Thiemroth) : Oilers Group :: AO (Cmdr. Russell H. Ihrig) :: AO (Capt. Ralph H. Henkle) :: DD (Lt. Cmdr. C.F. Chillingworth, Jr.) :: DD (Cmdr.

Roland N. Smoot Roland Nesbit Smoot (May 7, 1901 – February 13, 1984) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice admiral (United States), vice admiral. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he distinguished himself ...

)

Submarines

Rear Admiral Robert H. English
Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, HQ at

Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor is an American lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. It was often visited by the Naval fleet of the United States, before it was acquired from the Hawaiian Kingdom by the U.S. with the signing of the Re ...

: Task Group 7.1 (Midway Patrol Group) :: 3 ''Gato-class'' (10 tubes: 6 forward, 4 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr. W.G. Myers) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. C.E. Duke) ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

Glynn R. Donaho Glynn Robert Donaho (March 25, 1905 – May 26, 1986), nicknamed "Donc", was a United States Navy officer known principally for his exploits as a submarine commander during World War II, for which he received the Navy Cross four times, the Silver ...

) :: 5 ''Tambor-class'' (10 tubes: 6 forward, 4 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr. J.W. Murphy) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. F.W. Fenno) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. E. Olsen) ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

Willis A. Lent Willis Ashford Lent (January 5, 1904 – August 28, 1959), List of military figures by nickname#P, nicknamed "Pilly", was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. Serving as commanding officer of the submarine ''Triton'' aDictionary of Americ ...

) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. H.B. Lyon) :: 4 ''Narhwhal-class'' (6 tubes: 4 forward, 2 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

William H. Brockman Jr. Rear Admiral William Herman Brockman Jr. (November 18, 1904 – February 1, 1979) served in the United States Navy during World War II. Biography Brockman was born at Baltimore, Maryland. Enlisting in the Naval Reserve in 1922, he was appoi ...

) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. R.L. Rutter) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. G.A. Lewis) ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

Martin P. Hottel Martin Perry Hottel (25 January 1904 – 30 May 1981), was a decorated submarine commander during World War II who reached the rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy. Martin Perry Hottel was born to Coast Guard Rear Admiral James F. Hot ...

) : Task Group 7.2 ("Roving Short-Stops") :: 1 ''Gato-class'' (10 tubes: 6 forward, 4 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr. J.H. Lewis) :: 1 ''Porpoise-class'' (6 tubes: 4 forward, 2 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr. D.C. White) :: 1 ''Narhwhal-class'' (6 tubes: 4 forward, 2 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr. C.W. Wilkins) : Task Group 7.3 (North of Oahu Patrol) :: 2 ''Gato-class'' (10 tubes: 6 forward, 4 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr.

Howard W. Gilmore Howard Walter Gilmore (September 29, 1902 – February 7, 1943) was a submarine commander in the United States Navy who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his self-sacrifice during World War II. Early life and career Howard Gilmore was ...

) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. J.L. Hull) :: 2 ''Porpoise-class'' (6 tubes: 4 forward, 2 aft): ::: (Lt. Cmdr. W.A. New) ::: (Lt. Cmdr. Lewis Wallace)

Midway Garrison

Air group A group is a military unit or a military formation that is most often associated with military aviation. Air and aviation groups The terms group and wing differ significantly from one country to another, as well as between different branches o ...

:: Marine Aircraft Group 22 :: Colonel

Ira L. Kimes Ira Laffayete Kimes (August 8, 1899 - February 3, 1949) was a highly decorated United States Naval Aviator, naval aviator of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier general (United States), brigadier general. He is most noted f ...

, USMC ::: 21 Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo ( VMF-221, Major

Floyd B. Parks USS ''Floyd B. Parks'' (DD-884) was a in service with the United States Navy from 1945 to 1973. She was scrapped in 1974. Namesake Floyd Bruce Parks was born on 16 January 1911 in Salisbury, Missouri, the first child of James B. Parks and his ...

†, USMC) ::: 7 Grumman F4F-3A Wildcat (VMF-221, Captain John F. Carey, USMC) ::: 19 Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless ( VMSB-241 Major

Lofton R. Henderson Lofton Russell Henderson (May 24, 1903 – June 4, 1942) was a United States Marine Corps aviator during World War II. He commanded Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241) at the Battle of Midway and died while leading his squadron in a ...

†, USMC) ::: 17 Chance-Vought SB2U-3 Vindicator (VMSB-241, Major Benjamin W. Norris†, USMC) :: Navy Air Units :: Captain Cyril T. Simard ::: 31 PBY-5 and PBY-5A Catalinas (Detachments from Patrol Wings 1 and 2, USN) ::: 6 Grumman TBF Avenger (Detachment from

, USS ''Hornet'' - Lt. Langdon K. Fieberling†, USN) :: Detachment of Seventh Air Force ::

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

Willis Hale ::: 4 Martin B-26 Marauder (Detachments from the 18th Reconnaissance and 69th Bombardment Squadrons - Capt. James Collins, USAAF) ::: 17

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engined heavy bomber developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Relatively fast and high-flying for a bomber of its era, the B-17 was used primarily in the European Theater ...

(Detachments from the 26th, 31st, 72nd, and 431st Bombardment Squadrons - Lt.Col.

Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. General Walter Campbell Sweeney Jr. (July 23, 1909 – December 22, 1965) was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as commander of the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command. Biography A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, he ...

, USAAF) :Local Defenses
:

Harold D. Shannon, Fleet Marine Force commander ::"C" and "D" Companies, 2nd Raider Battalion, USMC ::

6th Defense Battalion The Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Midway was a United States Marine Corps detachment responsible for security at Naval Air Station Midway following World War II. The unit was originally formed in March 1941 as the 6th Defense Battalion with ...

(Reinforced) USMC Colonel Harold D. Shannon ::1st Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron :::11

PT boat A PT boat (short for patrol torpedo boat) was a motor torpedo boat used by the United States Navy in World War II. It was small, fast, and inexpensive to build, valued for its maneuverability and speed but hampered at the beginning of the wa ...

s (9 at

Midway Island Midway Atoll (colloquial: Midway Islands; haw, Kauihelani, translation=the backbone of heaven; haw, Pihemanu, translation=the loud din of birds, label=none) is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean. Midway Atoll is an insular area of the Unit ...

and 2 at

Kure Atoll Kure Atoll (; haw, Hōlanikū, translation=bringing forth heaven; haw, Mokupāpapa, translation=flat island, label=none) or Ocean Island is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean west-northwest of Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a ...

)

Deployed along lesser reefs and islands of the Hawaiian Group

: French Frigate Shoals :: seaplane tenders and ::gasoline tanker ::destroyer :

Pearl and Hermes Reef The Pearl and Hermes Atoll ( haw, Holoikauaua), also known as Pearl and Hermes Reef, is part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a group of small islands and atolls that form the farthest northwest portion of the Hawaiian island chain. Th ...

::patrol boat ::fleet tug : Lisianski Island ::patrol boat '' YP-284'' :

Gardner Pinnacles The Gardner Pinnacles ( haw, Pūhāhonu) are two barren rock outcrops surrounded by a reef and located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands at . The volcano is northwest of Honolulu and from French Frigate Shoals. The total area of the two ...

::patrol boat '' YP-345'' :

Laysan Island Laysan (; haw, italics=no, Kauō ), located northwest of Honolulu at , is one of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It comprises one land mass of , about in size. It is an atoll of sorts, although the land completely surrounds a shallow ...

::patrol boat '' YP-290'' : Necker Island ::patrol boat ''YP-350''

Midway Refueling Unit

: Cmdr. Harry R. Thurber, USN :: AO ' :: DD ' and ' The military forces at the immediate point of tactical contact (i.e. not including support formations) are described below.

Aircraft

American Forces

Naval Air Station (NAS) Midway operated:

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

*31 Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina,

seaplane A seaplane is a powered fixed-wing aircraft capable of takeoff, taking off and water landing, landing (alighting) on water.Gunston, "The Cambridge Aerospace Dictionary", 2009. Seaplanes are usually divided into two categories based on their tec ...

s. *6 Grumman TBF-1 Avenger, torpedo bombers (5 lost)

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

*4 Martin B-26 Marauder, medium

bomber A bomber is a military combat aircraft designed to attack ground and naval targets by dropping air-to-ground weaponry (such as bombs), launching aerial torpedo, torpedoes, or deploying air-launched cruise missiles. The first use of bombs dropped ...

s *17

heavy bombers Heavy bombers are bomber aircraft capable of delivering the largest payload of air-to-ground weaponry (usually Aerial bomb, bombs) and longest range (aeronautics), range (takeoff to landing) of their era. Archetypal heavy bombers have therefore ...

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...

*19 Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless,

dive bomber A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target simplifies the bomb's trajectory and allows the pilot to keep visual contact througho ...

s *17 Chance-Vought SB2U-3 Vindicator,

s *21 Brewster F2A Buffalo, fighters *7 Grumman F4F-3A Wildcat, fighters *1 light utility aircraft Task Force 17: : 77 aircraft (sunk) *25

, fighters *37

s *15 Douglas TBD-1 Devastator, torpedo bombers (13 lost) Task Force 16: : 78 aircraft *27

, fighters *37

s *14 Douglas TBD-1 Devastator, torpedo bombers (10 lost) : 77 aircraft *27

, fighters *35

s *15 Douglas TBD-1 Devastator, torpedo bombers (all lost)

Japanese Forces

The Japanese carriers of the Striking Force operated: : 60 aircraft (sunk) * 24

, fighters * 18 Aichi D3A,"Val"

s * 18 Nakajima B5N,"Kate" torpedo bombers : 74 aircraft (sunk) * 27

, fighters * 18 Aichi D3A,"Val"

s * 27 Nakajima B5N,"Kate" torpedo bombers * 2 Aichi D3A,"Val"

s (as cargo, likely non-operational) : 57 aircraft (sunk) * 21

, fighters * 18 Aichi D3A,"Val"

s * 18 Nakajima B5N,"Kate" torpedo bombers : 57 aircraft (sunk) * 21

, fighters * 16 Aichi D3A,"Val"

s * 18 Nakajima B5N,"Kate" torpedo bombers * 2 Yokosuka D4Y1C, pre-series

s (experimental

reconnaissance aircraft A reconnaissance aircraft (colloquially, a spy plane) is a military aircraft designed or adapted to perform aerial reconnaissance with roles including collection of imagery intelligence (including using photography), signals intelligence, as ...

) (Note: These figures include 21 operational Zero fighters of the

6th Air Group was a unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) during the Pacific War that was involved in Battle of Midway and then extensively in the Guadalcanal Campaign and Solomon Islands Campaign. The air group was redesignated as the 204th ...

being ferried to Midway by the carriers.) * Japanese

battleships A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of large caliber guns. It dominated naval warfare in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term ''battleship'' came into use in the late 1880s to describe a type of ...

and cruisers: 16 reconnaissance

floatplanes A floatplane is a type of seaplane with one or more slender floats mounted under the fuselage to provide buoyancy. By contrast, a flying boat uses its fuselage for buoyancy. Either type of seaplane may also have landing gear suitable for land, m ...

, most of them short-ranged (5 Aichi E13A, 10

Nakajima E8N The Nakajima E8N was a Japanese ship-borne, catapult-launched, reconnaissance seaplane of the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was a single-engine, two-seat biplane with a central main-float and underwing outriggers. During the Pacific War, it was k ...

, 1

Aichi E11A The Aichi E11A (九八夜偵, ''Kyū-hachi Yatei'') was an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat used during the first year of World War II for maritime patrol duties. The Allied reporting name for the type was "Laura"; the Japanese Navy designation ...

)

Footnotes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Midway Order Of Battle World War II orders of battle

Overview

Combat vessels

Auxiliaries

Aircraft

Japan

First Fleet

First Fleet Main Force

First Carrier Striking Force / First Air Fleet The , also known as the ''Kidō Butai'' ("Mobile Force"), was a name used for a combined carrier battle group comprising most of the aircraft carriers and carrier air groups of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the first eight months of the P ...

Second Fleet (Midway Invasion Force)

Second Fleet Main Body

Midway Occupation Force

Midway Support Force

Advance (Submarine A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...) Force (Sixth Fleet)

Shore-based Air Force

Northern Area Force

Fifth Fleet Main Body

Second Carrier Striking Force

Aleutian Support Force

= Attu Island, Attu Invasion Force

=Kiska Kiska ( ale, Qisxa, russian: Кыска) is one of the Rat Islands, a group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is about long and varies in width from . It is part of Aleutian Islands Wilderness and as such, special permission is required ... Invasion Force

United States

Task Force 17

Task Force 16

Submarines

Midway Garrison

Deployed along lesser reefs and islands of the Hawaiian Group

Midway Refueling Unit

Aircraft

American Forces

Japanese Forces

Footnotes

References

First Carrier Striking Force /
First Air Fleet The , also known as the ''Kidō Butai'' ("Mobile Force"), was a name used for a combined carrier battle group comprising most of the aircraft carriers and carrier air groups of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the first eight months of the P ...

Advance (
Submarine A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
) Force (Sixth Fleet)

=
Kiska Kiska ( ale, Qisxa, russian: Кыска) is one of the Rat Islands, a group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is about long and varies in width from . It is part of Aleutian Islands Wilderness and as such, special permission is required ...
Invasion Force