The Battle of Midway, fought in 1942, was a turning point in World War II. The United States suffered loss of life as well as several ships, including the aircraft carrier YORKTOWN, and many planes. Not only was the Japanese invasion of Midway Island repulsed, and the Japanese march across the Pacific Ocean stifled, but four Japanese aircraft carriers, AKAGI, HIRYU, SORYU and KAGA were sunk. The Battle of Midway is considered the single most significant naval battle in the history of the United States Navy.
In 1999, Nauticos Corporation and the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) teamed to mount an expedition to search for the lost Japanese aircraft carriers. During this expedition a significant object was imaged in 17,000 feet of water near the Battle of Midway site. In 2000, Nauticos Corporation and the Naval Oceanographic Office returned to the site and captured significant photographic and video imagery of wreckage suspected to be from the aircraft carrier KAGA, including a large section of hull that was severely damaged.
Nauticos Corporation engaged the support of several renowned experts in World War II naval battles and especially Japanese warships, with the express purpose of analyzing the data and determining which Japanese aircraft carrier had been discovered.
Now, for the first time, the results of this analysis are being published. The following links will allow the reader to follow along with Jon Parshall, Tony Tully and David Dickson as they follow the evidence to discover the truth.
IJN Carrier Wreckage: Identification Analysis Report
An article based on the IJN Carrier Wreckage: Identification Analysis Report was published in the June 2001 issue of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings.
In addition, on June 4th 2000, the 58th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, the U. S. Navy inaugurated activities commemorating one of the most decisive sea battles in world history. David Jourdan of Nauticos was honored to be selected to provide the Keynote Address at that year’s celebration.
U.S. Navy Commemoration of Midway Day
History of the Battle of Midway
The following are additional website links of interest:
Nauticos Corporation 10/29/99 Press Release:
Navy and Industry Collaborate for Historic Find
Imperial Japanese Navy Page
Jon Parshall’s Website
