USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway was the United States' longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992. Approximately 200,000 sailors served aboard the carrier, known for several naval aviation breakthroughs as well as several humanitarian missions. It was the only carrier to serve the entire length of the Cold War and beyond. It is currently a museum ship in San Diego, California. Midway opened as a museum on 7 June 2004. By 2012 annual visitation exceeded 1 million visitors. As of 2015 Midway is the most popular naval warship museum in the United States. The museum has over 13,000 members, and hosts more than 700 events a year, including more than 400 active-duty Navy retirements, re-enlistments, and changes of command. The museum also hosts approximately 50,000 students on field trips and 5,000 children in its overnight program annually. Admission includes a self-guided audio tour, narrated by former Midway Sailors to more than 60 locations, including sleeping quarters, engine room, galley, bridge, brig, post office, fo'c'sle, pilots' ready rooms, officers quarters, primary flight control, Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC), and "officers country". Other features include climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, videos, flight simulators, and a narrated audio tour for youngsters. A Grumman C-2 Greyhound was craned aboard the carrier in June 2023. On 18 July 2025, a private sportfishing boat collided with Midway at slow speed. There were no injuries, or significant damage, and the captain of the vessel was later arrested on suspicion of boating while under the influence. == Events ==

In addition to private events, the museum has hosted several events, including a nationally broadcast NCAA basketball game between San Diego State University and Syracuse University in 2012. American Idol has filmed an episode on Midway, as have the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, FOX News, The Bachelor, Extreme Makeover, History Channel, and Military Channel. The nationally televised annual "Battle on the Midway" collegiate wrestling showcase has been staged each November on the flight deck of the museum since 2017. The USS Midway Museum has had the opportunity to host various high-profile events and productions throughout its lifetime. In 2018 and 2019, scenes from the critically acclaimed film Top Gun: Maverick were filmed on the museum premises. Additionally, planes featured in the movie, such as the F/A-18 Hornet Jet, are displayed at the museum now that filming has concluded. Moreover, the USS Midway Museum hosted the global premiere of the film on 4 May 2022. Memorial services On every anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the USS Midway Museum hosts a memorial service to remember the lives lost during the incident. This is in conjunction with the FDNY retirees of San Diego, San Diego Fire & Rescue Department, National City FD, SDFF Emerald Society and the Wounded Warrior Project. During the ceremony, the names of all the first responders that have died during 9/11 are read out loud. The service takes place on the flight deck, where hundreds of people gather each year. == Exhibits and collection ==

Aircraft Bombers/attack • Curtiss SB2C Helldiver • Douglas A-1 Skyraider • Douglas A-3 Skywarrior • Douglas A-4 Skyhawk • Douglas SBD Dauntless • Douglas TBD Devastator (replica) • Grumman A-6 Intruder • Grumman TBM Avenger • LTV A-7 Corsair II • Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Fighters • Grumman F4F Wildcat • Grumman F9F Panther • Grumman F-11 Tiger • North American FJ-2/-3 Fury • Vought F4U Corsair • Vought F7U Cutlass • Vought F-8 Crusader Multirole • Grumman F-9 Cougar • Grumman F-14 Tomcat • McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II • McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Helicopters • Bell UH-1 Iroquois gunship • Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight • Kaman SH-2 Seasprite • Piasecki HUP Retriever • Sikorsky HO3S • Sikorsky H-34 Seabat • Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King • Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk Reconnaissance and surveillance • Lockheed S-3 Viking • North American A-5 Vigilante • Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye Trainers • North American T-2 Buckeye • North American T-6 Texan Transport/Utility • Cessna O-1 Bird Dog • Grumman C-1 Trader • Grumman C-2 Greyhound Voices of Midway (2015) Voices of Midway is a 2015 short film directed by Scott Levitta and written by Richard Christian Matheson. The film is based on true events at the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942 and plays continuously at the Battle of Midway Theater. ==See also==