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Naval History and Heritage Command

National Museum of the U.S. Navy

<p>NMUSN: WWII: Pacific:&nbsp; Japanese attack on Midway Island</p>

Japanese Attack on Midway Island

1941:  December 7:   Japanese Attack on Midway Island

The Japanese shelled Midway Island on December 7, 1941, with two destroyers Sazanami and Ushio, and damaged the U.S. Marine Corps base before retiring.   During the shelling, First Lieutenant George H. Cannon, USMC, remained at his post until all of his wounded men were evacuated, though severely wounded himself.   Despite the courage and dedication to his men, Cannon lost his own life due to loss of blood from his wounds.   For his distinguished conduct in the line of his profession," Cannon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.  

Image:   80-G-451088:   Midway Islands, November 1941.   Sand Island, looking North West.  Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.