The Navy’s “Old Lady” Fought in WWII, Vietnam & Desert Storm Then Became California’s Coolest Museum

USS Midway, California

Few ships can claim they helped end World War Two and later served in Vietnam and the Gulf War. The USS Midway did all that and more during her long military career, and she’s not done yet.

Today, families explore her hangar decks and flight operations while learning about naval aviation history.

Here’s how America’s longest serving aircraft carrier found her final berth in sunny San Diego.

The USS Midway

USS Midway joined the U.S. Navy on September 10, 1945, eight days after Japan surrendered in World War II. The massive carrier stretched 968 feet from bow to stern and weighed 45,000 tons when commissioned.

The ship was different from older carriers because it had a steel flight deck instead of a wooden one. Midway could carry over 100 planes but was too big to fit through the Panama Canal—the first American carrier that couldn’t make the trip.

First Fight in Vietnam

On March 6, 1965, Midway left California for its first war as part of Operation Rolling Thunder, a long bombing attack against North Vietnam. The carrier stayed at “Yankee Station,” about 100 miles off the Vietnamese coast.

Two attack squadrons flew daily bombing runs from this floating base. Midway pilots became the first to use new guided missiles in combat, but North Vietnamese guns shot down 17 of the carrier’s planes during this tough first trip.

First Enemy Planes Shot Down

Everything changed on June 17, 1965. Two F-4B Phantom jets from Fighter Squadron 21 were protecting bombers when North Vietnamese MiG-17 fighters showed up. Commander Louis Page and Lieutenant Jack Batson fired missiles and got the first American MiG kills of the Vietnam War.

The Navy Secretary was visiting Midway that day and joined the celebration. Three days later, four A-1 Skyraiders used an old World War II flying trick to shoot down another MiG-17.

The Phantom Fighter’s Big Job

The F-4 Phantom became Midway’s top fighter during Vietnam. These two-seat jets carried a pilot and a weapons officer. Armed with radar-guided and heat-seeking missiles, the Phantom could fly twice the speed of sound.

F-4s flew guard duty to protect the carrier and went with attack planes into dangerous areas. Though built for air fights, they also dropped bombs on ground targets. Midway kept flying Phantoms until 1987, longer than any other U.S. carrier.

The “Scooter” Attack Plane

The A-4 Skyhawk got the nickname “The Scooter” from pilots who loved its small size and quick moves. This compact attack plane could carry 8,200 pounds of bombs and rockets despite being lightweight.

A-4s from Midway joined the first Vietnam strikes in August 1964. These tough planes flew more combat missions than any other Navy aircraft during the war, helping ground troops and hitting bridges and supply lines. Enemy missiles shot down many of these brave attack planes.

Big Rebuild (1966-1970)

After coming back from Vietnam in November 1965, Midway went to a shipyard for a complete rebuild. The Navy put the carrier in storage on February 15, 1966, starting a four-year upgrade.

Workers made the flight deck bigger and changed the landing angle so jets could land safer. New steam launchers, bigger elevators, and air conditioning got Midway ready for newer planes. The job cost $202 million—three times what they planned.

Back to Vietnam (1971-1973)

Midway returned to fighting on January 31, 1970, after its rebuild. In May 1971, the improved carrier took over operations in the Gulf alone.

During 1972’s Operation Linebacker, Midway planes dropped mines in North Vietnamese ports to stop enemy ships. Navy helicopters saved 48 shot-down pilots—35 while under enemy fire—including one mission to rescue a downed pilot in August.

Last Enemy Plane Shot Down

Midway started and ended American air fights in Vietnam. Just like its planes got the first kills in 1965, a Midway fighter got the war’s last air victory on January 12, 1973—days before peace talks ended American fighting.

During three fighting trips, Midway planes destroyed four enemy fighters total. President Nixon gave the ship a special award for its “great heroism and outstanding work” throughout the war.

Biggest Helicopter Rescue Ever

As North Vietnamese forces surrounded Saigon in April 1975, Midway led the biggest helicopter rescue in history. The carrier moved half its planes away to make room for Air Force rescue helicopters.

On April 29-30, helicopters flew back and forth between the falling city and Midway’s packed deck. South Vietnamese Major Buang-Ly made news when he landed a tiny plane on the carrier with his wife and five kids.

The captain ordered expensive helicopters pushed overboard to clear space. Midway’s crew collected $10,000 to help the family start over in America, and the ship saved 3,000 people total.

Living in Japan

Midway made history in October 1973 as the first American aircraft carrier to live permanently in another country. The move to Japan came after a deal between the U.S. and Japan in 1972.

This move kept American naval power in Asia while saving money. A Japan-based carrier could help with problems in days instead of weeks. For 17 years, Midway patrolled the Pacific Ocean, becoming a symbol of U.S.-Japan friendship.

Last War in Desert Storm

Iraq’s attack on Kuwait in August 1990 started Midway’s final war. The carrier left Japan in October and reached the Persian Gulf in November, leading all Navy carriers there.

When Desert Storm began January 17, 1991, Midway’s planes launched some of the war’s first strikes. On February 13, Lieutenant Commander Jeffery Ashby used a smart bomb to destroy an Iraqi helicopter armed with deadly missiles, getting rid of a big threat to American ships.

Visiting USS Midway

After 47 years of service, Midway was decommissioned on April 11, 1992, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

The carrier spent several years in the Navy’s inactive fleet at Bremerton, Washington before finding a permanent home.

On January 10, 2004, Midway arrived in San Diego to begin its new role as a museum ship.

The USS Midway Museum opened to the public on June 7, 2004, at 910 N. Harbor Drive.

Today, you can explore more than 60 exhibits and view over 30 restored aircraft, including Vietnam-era F-4 Phantoms and A-4 Skyhawks.

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