About this Unit
USS Midway (CV-41) was an aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy shortly after World War II, entering service in 1945. Serving for nearly 47 years, she played a pivotal role during the Cold War, participating in major operations such as the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Notably, Midway was the flagship during the Gulf of Tonkin incident and was instrumental in the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. Decommissioned in 1992, USS Midway is now preserved as a museum ship in San Diego, California.
Historical Facts
•
1. Longest-serving Aircraft Carrier: USS Midway (CV-41) was commissioned a week after World War II ended in 1945 and served for 47 years, making her the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century.
•
2. Cold War Pioneer: Midway was the first U.S. carrier to operate in the Atlantic during the Cold War, serving as a vital presence to deter Soviet threats in Europe.
•
3. Flagship During the Vietnam War: She served as the flagship for Carrier Task Force 77 and participated in some of the most significant air strikes during the Vietnam War.
•
4. Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, during the fall of Saigon, Midway played a crucial role in Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation in history, saving thousands of refugees.
•
5. Record-Setting Rescue: During Operation Frequent Wind, South Vietnamese Air Force Major Buang-Ly landed a small Cessna O-1 Bird Dog on Midway’s deck, an unprecedented feat that saved his family.
•
6. Early Angled Flight Deck: Midway was among the first carriers to be retrofitted with an angled flight deck, enabling simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft, a major advancement in carrier operations.
•
7. Gulf War Service: She was the flagship of naval air operations during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, launching hundreds of sorties into Iraq and Kuwait.
•
8. Homeport in Japan: In 1973, Midway became the first U.S. carrier to be forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Japan, strengthening U.S.-Japan relations and rapid response capability in the Pacific.
•
9. Decommissioned in 1992: After nearly five decades of service, she was decommissioned in San Diego and later transformed into the USS Midway Museum, one of the most popular naval museums in the U.S.
•
10. Unique Nicknames: Over the years, the ship was affectionately known as "Rock'n Roll Carrier" (for her rough rides in heavy seas) and "Midway Magic" due to her uncanny resilience and storied history.
