Eagle3
08-29-05, 11:48 AM
Friday, August 26, 2005
By Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Soltero - Commander, Strike Force Training, Pacific / JO1(SW) Jason McKnight - Navy C
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum unveiled the first display focusing on the USS Midway (CV 41) story Aug. 3.
The display highlights Ichiro Masuoka, who was senior secretary to the Japanese Speaker of the House and a naval enthusiast who strongly supported and negotiated for homeporting an American carrier in Japan.
Masuoka, who passed away in 1997, became known as “Mr. Navy” for his close association with the U.S. Navy before and after Midway’s arrival.
The ship became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to be forward deployed at Yokosuka Naval Base and remained there from 1973 until 1991, when she sailed back to the U.S. to be decommissioned.
“Japan’s safety depends on the security of its oceanic lines of communications, its maritime traffic ways,” said Rear Adm. Mark Emerson, Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific, and former Midway crew member. “Forward-deploying USS Midway to Japan was a significant step in providing security to the Japanese people.”
Although he was an informal mediator in the decision process to forward deploy an aircraft carrier to Japan, Masuoka’s strong support was critical to successful negotiations between the Japanese government and senior U.S. Navy officials, and the display shows the deep appreciation both sides had towards Mr. Navy and his efforts.
His dedication to strengthening friendly relations between the two nations is remembered in Japan with a waterfront park at Yokosuka Naval Base that bears his name.
“On a grand scale, Mr. Masuoka’s efforts, in combination with those of many others who worked to station USS Midway in Japan, played a significant role in fighting the cold war,” said Emerson. “On the small scale, those same efforts affected the lives of countless Sailors, including myself, who lived in Japan for a time and who grew to respect that great nation so much.”
Scott McGaugh, marketing director for the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, said the display sends the message to viewers that even one individual can influence the course of major events.
“Part of the CV 41 story, its 47-year odyssey, is that ‘Midway Magic,’” said McGaugh. “This ship developed a mystique of being able to accomplish anything, and that wasn’t just because of what it is. It was about each individual crew member’s talents and dedication to make great things happen.”
McGaugh said he has heard many former Midway Sailors say their time aboard Midway was a turning point in their lives.
“I can’t tell you how many ex-Sailors have told me that their time on the Midway changed their entire lives,” said McGaugh. “Many said, ‘I learned what it meant to become a man on Midway.’”
The marketing director said that aside from being the first display set up to tell the CV 41 story, the “Mr. Navy” display can teach people that if they’re truly passionate about something, they can achieve great things.
NavyCompass.com (http://www.navycompass.com/news/newsview.asp?c=167120)
By Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Soltero - Commander, Strike Force Training, Pacific / JO1(SW) Jason McKnight - Navy C
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum unveiled the first display focusing on the USS Midway (CV 41) story Aug. 3.
The display highlights Ichiro Masuoka, who was senior secretary to the Japanese Speaker of the House and a naval enthusiast who strongly supported and negotiated for homeporting an American carrier in Japan.
Masuoka, who passed away in 1997, became known as “Mr. Navy” for his close association with the U.S. Navy before and after Midway’s arrival.
The ship became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to be forward deployed at Yokosuka Naval Base and remained there from 1973 until 1991, when she sailed back to the U.S. to be decommissioned.
“Japan’s safety depends on the security of its oceanic lines of communications, its maritime traffic ways,” said Rear Adm. Mark Emerson, Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific, and former Midway crew member. “Forward-deploying USS Midway to Japan was a significant step in providing security to the Japanese people.”
Although he was an informal mediator in the decision process to forward deploy an aircraft carrier to Japan, Masuoka’s strong support was critical to successful negotiations between the Japanese government and senior U.S. Navy officials, and the display shows the deep appreciation both sides had towards Mr. Navy and his efforts.
His dedication to strengthening friendly relations between the two nations is remembered in Japan with a waterfront park at Yokosuka Naval Base that bears his name.
“On a grand scale, Mr. Masuoka’s efforts, in combination with those of many others who worked to station USS Midway in Japan, played a significant role in fighting the cold war,” said Emerson. “On the small scale, those same efforts affected the lives of countless Sailors, including myself, who lived in Japan for a time and who grew to respect that great nation so much.”
Scott McGaugh, marketing director for the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, said the display sends the message to viewers that even one individual can influence the course of major events.
“Part of the CV 41 story, its 47-year odyssey, is that ‘Midway Magic,’” said McGaugh. “This ship developed a mystique of being able to accomplish anything, and that wasn’t just because of what it is. It was about each individual crew member’s talents and dedication to make great things happen.”
McGaugh said he has heard many former Midway Sailors say their time aboard Midway was a turning point in their lives.
“I can’t tell you how many ex-Sailors have told me that their time on the Midway changed their entire lives,” said McGaugh. “Many said, ‘I learned what it meant to become a man on Midway.’”
The marketing director said that aside from being the first display set up to tell the CV 41 story, the “Mr. Navy” display can teach people that if they’re truly passionate about something, they can achieve great things.
NavyCompass.com (http://www.navycompass.com/news/newsview.asp?c=167120)