USS MIDWAY

USS Midway, built in Newport News, Virginia, was commissioned in September 1945. She served in the Atlantic Fleet for her first eight years of service. The ship was used in a couple of important naval experiments. In 1946, she was sent to the Arctic to test cold water operations. In 1947, she was the launch pad for a V-2 ballistic missile. Later that same year, the carrier began its first deployment to the Mediterranean. For the next few years she worked in both the Mediterranean and in the North Atlantic.

In October 1952, her hull number was changed from CVB-41 to CVA-41. This was due to her reclassification to an attack aircraft carrier. In 1954, she joined the Seventh Fleet for a year. Late in 1955, she underwent her first modernization. This expanded her flight deck and updated her equipment to handle the latest aircraft.

After her return two years later, Midway went back to the Seventh Fleet. She saw active combat operations in 1965 with the Vietnam conflict. In 1966, she began her second modernization. This involved expanding her deck once again. After returning to service in 1970, she returned to the Seventh Fleet supporting combat operations. In 1975, she was renumbered CV-41.

In 1986, she underwent her third modernization. In the early 1990’s, she participated in the first Iraq conflict. Afterwards she returned to the Seventh Fleet. In April 1992, she was decommissioned. At this time, she has been converted to a museum located in San Diego.