World War II

In June of 1942 some 6 months after their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese planned an invasion of Midway Island with 5000 men. Fortunately the US Navy was warned of the attack and intercepted the Japanese fleet at sea sinking 4 of their carriers in what is now called the turning point of the war in the Pacific. On Midway Island a brave group of men stood ready to defend the island. There is WWII history to be explored on the island and one of the evening movies tells the story of the Battle of Midway.

	This large gun stands outside the Midway Mall. Midway Island was an active naval base after WWII and still has the look and feel of any military installation.
The galley is still used as the dining hall for staff and guests. Foreign nationals from the Phillippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka are employed on the island to provide the hotel service and grounds keeping. The decoration in the center is a map of Sri Lanka made out of palm frons. There is also a French Restaurant on the island where guests can have their meals.
	When the navy came to Midway they were concerned about the birds and airplanes. They tried to scare the birds away from the runway. The Albatross didn't scare after all that is way they are called gooney birds. They tried to relocate the birds to other islands, but Albatross have great site fidelity and just returned. Finally the navy figured it out. Albatross don't like pavement. So they paved and paved. The runway on Eastern Island is now abandoned. Look who is back.
This military relic is the top of a tank buried in the ground. It was to be used as a bunker with the gunners crawling in by way of a tunnel.