75th commemoration of the Battle of Midway memorialized in new film

On June 5, at public events across the country, the United States will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway with a live-stream screening of a short film about that pivotal World War II battle and current nature conservation efforts on Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

The main event will take place on the USS Midway in San Diego and will coincide with events occurring at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo, Hawaii, the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

The Battle of Midway proved to be a turning point of the War in the Pacific. As the years pass, the voices of those who lived through that fateful battle have become few. But their memories remain sharp, and the lessons they share are just as powerful as ever.

Though the battle itself was waged hundreds of miles out to sea, the tiny atoll halfway between America and Japan played a critical role. Today that atoll is a national wildlife refuge, conserving a dazzling assortment of wildlife and habitat.

Midway: Edge of Tomorrow documents never-before-seen natural wonders of Midway, located in the recently-expanded Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and provides a captivating look at the last remaining historic structures from the Battle of Midway.

Midway is part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, expanded by President Barack Obama in 2016 and currently under threat by the Trump administration. Trump recently signed an executive order instructing the Interior Department to review national monument status at various sites throughout the United States, including Papahānaumokuākea.

Aerial view of Eastern Island (top) and Spit Island (bottom) at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial. Midway is part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Credit: Tandem Stills + Motion

The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is a visual and complex paradise: blue lagoons, historic structures, vibrant corals, culturally sacred sites, and home to millions of birds, abandoned runways, hundreds of dolphins, and some of the last remaining structures of the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II.

Despite the threats to these protected habits through climate change and political forces, the filmmaker is aiming to provide the public with an inspiring glimpse at this special place and the role it plays in our past, present, and future.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to bring this important place to the world,” said Ian Shive, Tandem Stills + Motion CEO and director of the film. “With changing climates, places like Midway are becoming even more important refuges for marine wildlife and seabirds. The tale of Midway is one of a deeply intertwined human history with a vibrant natural history. We want to commemorate the upcoming 75th anniversary and the expansion of the marine national monument using a cinematic approach to tell the story of Midway, its rich history, what it is today, and what it may be in the future.”

Laysan albatross on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Tandem Stills + Motion

The narrated film combines Midway’s pivotal role in World War II history with a modern-day expedition to the island, introducing key partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has played a vital role in the transformation of the island into a vibrant refuge.

For more information about the 75th commemoration of the Battle of Midway, visit the commemoration website. A five-minute trailer of the Midway film can be viewed there. The event on June 5th on the USS Midway is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, visit the USS Midway Museum event page.