Midway (CV 41) - Naval Cruise Book

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As the New Mission Begins v mV Hy virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as C ' oininander-in-C ' hief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I have today awarded THI- PRliSIDl-NTlAL UNIT CITATION (NAVY) FOR i:XTRAORDINARY HI-ROISM TO USS MIDWAY (CVA-41) and ATTACK CARRlliR AIR WING FIVi: (CVW-5) For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against enemy forces in Southeast Asia from 30 April 1972 to Feln-uary 1973. During this crucial period of the Vietnam conflict, L ' SS MIDWAY and embarked Attack Carrier Air Wing FIVI- carried out dev- astating aerial attacks against enemy installations, transportation, and lines of communications in the face of extremely heavy opposition includ- ing nnilti -calibre antiaircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missiles. Displaying superb airmanship and unwavering courage, MIDWAY C ' W-5 pilots played a significant role in lifting the prolonged sieges at An Loc. k ' ontum, and Quang Tri and in carrying out the concentrated aerial strikes against the enemy ' s industrial heartland which eventually resulted in a cease-fire. By their excellent teamwork, dedication, and sustained supe- y nr performance, the officers and men of MIDWAY and Attack Carrier Air Wing FI ' i: reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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Introduction When USS MIDWAY (CVA-41) pulled away from the pier at Alameda September 11, 1973, she was beptinning not just another Far East cruise, but an adventure into the complex world of overseas horaeporting. After a brief stop at Pearl Harbor, MIDWAY entered Tokyo Bay October 5 to begin her for- ward deployment from the Naval base at Yokosuka . ' On this extended deployment the married man had more time to spend with his family be- tween MIDWAY ' S at-sea periods, and the single man had an unequalled opportunity to ex- perience Japan and her people on an extended, resident-type basis. MIDWAY ' S first days in Japan were thrilling for her crew, most of whom were new to the ship and were overseas for the first time in their lives. They soon discovered, once venturing beyond the gate, that this strange land held the promise of adventure and that the Japanese people were friendly and very interested in the new resident in Yokosuka Harbor. The carrier MIDWAY became familiar to the Japanese citizen through various radio, tele- vision and newspaper accounts. The ship hosted thousands of curious visitors from Yoko- suka, Yokohama, Tokyo and the surrounding areas during her first year; and the crew en- deavored to become just as familiar with their new environment. Japan ' s extensive railway system was soon wisking them to points far and wide. MIDWAY sailors explored the centers of business and culture in downtown Tokyo and climbed in pre- dawn darkness to witness the dramatic sunrise from atop Japan ' s sacred summit, Mt. Fuji. From Sapporo to Sasebo, sailors were out to see the sights and have new experiences. With Yokosuka as their home-away-from-home. these Seventh Fleet men, acting as roving ambassadors, acquired an international sophistication not known to crews of transient ves- sels. Bom of this sophistication was an understanding and appreciation of foreign peoples, their cultures and ways of thinking. Consequently, Hong Kong, Subic Bay in the Philippines, and South Korea ' s main port, Pusan, were scenes of memorable times for MIDWAY crew- men. - : MOVIN ' WEST puts all these times together as a memory key for the present and for years to come. This was MIDWAY— MOVIN ' WEST. .

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Farewell to the Bay Area :.tJa t tWS u ' K.