First Bombardment of Midway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Bombardment of Midway
Part of the Pacific War World War II
Midway Atoll on November 24, 1941.
Date December 7, 1941 Location Sand Island, Midway Atoll, Hawaiian Archipelago, Pacific Ocean Result Midway bombarded; IJN destroyers retire.
Belligerents
United States	Japan
Commanders and leaders
Lieutenant Colonel Harold D. Shannon First Lieutenant George H. Cannon  †	Captain Ohishi Kaname
Strength
Land: unknown marines, unknown sailors, unknown shore batteries Air: unknown aircraft	2 destroyers
Casualties and losses
4 killed, 10 wounded, 1 aircraft destroyed, Midway base damaged	1 destroyer damaged; light casualties

The First Bombardment of Midway was a small battle during World War II. It happened on December 7, 1941. This was the same day as the big attack on Pearl Harbor. Two Japanese destroyer ships attacked Sand Island, part of Midway Atoll. They damaged the U.S. Marine base there. American shore batteries fought back. The Japanese ships were then forced to leave.

Why Midway Was Important

Before World War II began, American Marines were stationed on Midway Atoll. They built a small base there. This base could help land, sea, and air forces. The Marines also built strong defenses for the islands. They used large guns to protect the area. These guns had been in place since 1905. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked several places. These included Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, and the Philippines. Midway was also attacked by two Japanese destroyers. These ships were named Ushio and Sazanami.

The Attack on Midway

A shore gun on Sand Island.

The two Japanese destroyers had been part of the fleet that attacked Pearl Harbor. Captain Ohishi Kaname was in charge of this group. The attack on Midway began at 9:31 AM and lasted for 54 minutes. A Japanese shell hit the American command building. This building held communications and power systems.

First Lieutenant George H. Cannon was inside this building. He was hit by shrapnel. The enemy fire had cut off communications. Lieutenant Cannon refused medical help. He wanted to make sure communications were working again. He also wanted to be sure wounded Marines around him were safe.

Ushio from the side.

By the time a medic reached Cannon, it was too late. He died from losing too much blood. For his bravery, Lieutenant Cannon received the first Medal of Honor. This was the highest award for a U.S. Marine in World War II. A street on Sand Island was named after him. A ship, the USS Cannon (DE-99), was also named in his honor.

Six Japanese shells hit the main PBY Catalina aircraft hangar. One PBY aircraft inside was destroyed. Its pilot and a fireman were killed. Other civilians in the hangar survived. The hospital was also hit and caught fire. Civilian workers quickly rebuilt all the damaged buildings.

Shell craters were all over the ground on Sand Island. The Marines did not use aircraft to fight back. They used their artillery batteries (big guns). They managed to damage one of the Japanese destroyers. The other destroyer quickly made a smokescreen. Then, both ships left the area.

Four men died on Midway that morning. They were Navy Ensign Donald J. Kraker and Fireman Second Class Ralph E. Tuttle. Also, Marines Lieutenant Cannon and Private First Class Elmer R. Morrell died. Several other people were hurt. The Japanese ship Ushio fired 109 shells. The Sazanami fired 193 shells.

What Happened Next

In February 1942, a Japanese submarine attacked Midway Atoll. Later, in June 1942, the Battle of Midway took place. American forces won this very important battle. By then, the Marines on Midway had more soldiers and bigger guns. They used these new defenses to fight Japanese A6M2 Zero planes in June 1942.