Battle of Midway Heroes Honored at Chicago Midway Airport

U.S. Navy Joins Department of Aviation in Dedicating Battle of Midway Memorial

Chicago, June 4, 2001 - Celebrating the most important victory in navy history, today Battle of Midway veterans and other veterans of World War II joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Aviation Commissioner Thomas R. Walker and Rear Admiral David P. Polatty, Commander of the United States Naval Training Center Great Lakes, in officially dedicating the new Battle of Midway Memorial located in the Midway Airport Terminal.

Chicago Midway Airport, which bares a historic and proud name, has been a symbol of progress, perseverance and community in our City's great history," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "As we continue to look to the future, we must never forget our past. The Battle of Midway Memorial is a tribute and reminder to future generations of the men and women who fought to bring us peace and freedom. We are honored to be among these men today."

The Battle of Midway Memorial is a creation of virtual renderings and carved photographs of the Battle of Midway heroes. The interior of the Memorial is composed of two 13'x5' virtual murals that feature some of the aircraft and carriers used at Midway including the USS Yorktown, F4F Wildcat, and the TBD Devastator. The panoramic view digitally reconstructs the battle's tragedy and triumph under the leadership of Admiral Chester Nimitz, and the innovative military intelligence that ultimately changed the course of world history and won the pivotal Battle of Midway. DMAC Architecture designed the canopy and base structure for the Battle of Midway project and developed the unique process used to carve images into aluminum. The Battle of Midway Memorial, located on the ticketing level of the Midway Terminal building, was created by (art)n Laboratory.

The sacrifices our brave veterans made at the Battle of Midway, considered by many to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific, tipped the balance of naval power in favor of the United States and its allies," said Rear Admiral David P. Polatty, Commander Naval Training Center Great Lakes. "We cannot thank our Midway veterans strongly or sincerely enough for their intrepid service to their Navy and their nation. We at the Naval Training Center Great Lakes are honored to participate in this commemoration of their valor with Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago."

Midway Airport originally opened in 1927 as Chicago's Municipal Airport. After the 1942 Battle of Midway, the airport continued to play a role in World War II. It was used by the U.S. Military because of its runway capabilities and mid-continent position. Midway Airport was often the stopping point for crewmen and aircraft as they traveled from the east to west coast. In 1949, the City of Chicago officially renamed the airport in honor of the Battle of Midway.

The new Midway Airport Terminal building opened in March and is home to other works of art including a suspended sculpture of a bird in flight. The sculpture, designed by Ralph Helmick, is composed of 2,500 small cast metal sculptures of various aircraft and is located at the Ticketing Lobby. On the south end of the Ticketing Level, a large mural of glass panels by Karl Wirsum celebrates a child's fascination with flight. On the Lower Level, near baggage claim, photographs by Dawoud Bey, Kathleen Eaton and Bob Thall honor Chicago's ethnic diversity by depicting families from various Chicago communities. These works of art are made possible by The Chicago Public Art Program, which requires that 1.33% of City of Chicago construction budgets be dedicated to artwork for the premises.