Companions,
The first few days of summer hold in themselves a lot of Military History. The two events that stand out of course are the Battle at Midway and the D-Day ’Invasion’ Operation Overlord. We remember these events through the hosting of luncheons and dinners and articles that recognize the achievements these Battles had in turning the Tide of War in the affected Theater. The outcome of these Battles helped to preserve Freedom by slowing or stopping the advance of tyranny and allowing Allied Forces to fight back. But much happened before and much happened afterwards to secure the victory in both the Pacific and European Theaters. Lexington was lost at Coral Sea; Yorktown during the Midway Battle after heroically returning to action after significant damage at Coral Sea. A Sweep through North Africa, Sicily and into Italy enabled preparations for the Normandy ‘Reclamation’. Many lives were lost in these battles and the follow-on Battles at Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Santa Cruz Island (loss of the Hornet), Battle of the Bulge, and countless sorties into Germany enabled these two fronts to eventually collapse and obtain the Allied victories in Europe and the Pacific. Please remember the TRUE price paid for these victories as we continue to strive for the Freedom we all have sworn to uphold.
We study History to review the lessons learned and identify the connections including the political decisions that lead to and follow from the encounters of war. We are always in these periods which require objective perspective, and you are the historians that can and should map out the commonalities and connections that brought us to where we are and may show where we may be headed. Keep thinking, Keep reading, Keep writing, Keep researching so that insights you have are brought to paper and documented in technology instead of being trapped in neuro-synaptic limbo!
For the Good of the Order
Bob Whitkop, CAPT USN (Ret)
Commander General