----Original Message---- From: Davis, Joshua M ATC (CVN70) Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 6:44 AM To: # CVN Officers; # CVN CPO; # CVN 1st Classes; # CVN E1 - E5 Cc: Mallo, Glenn CMDCM (CVN70 CMC) Subject: Battle of Midway commeration 0930 FAF mess decks today Importance: High CARL VINSON TEAM, Good morning. 65 years ago today, the Battle of Midway was fought and won by the United States Navy against a then-much formidable enemy force. Please join your fellow CARRIER WARRIORS in commemorating the victory of the United States Navy in the Battle of idway-the critical turning point in the war in the Pacific. FAF Mess Decks 0930 today with cake cutting to follow. V/R ATC Davis Otis Kight has been one of the most colorful and prolific veteran participants on the Roundtable from its earliest days. His many contributions to No Right to Win begin with Chapter 3, which is named for one of his quotes. He was a flight deck seaman with VF-42, which was merged with the Saratoga’s VF-3 aboard USS Yorktown for the BOM. He continued to serve aboard carriers throughout the Pacific War, Korea, and Vietnam, during which he lived through at least two more dramas every bit as hazardous and dramatic as the ordeal of USS Yorktown at Midway. http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/silence.htm Kight said the ship wasn't even tied up before Adm. Chester Nimitz, the fleet commander, was on board. "We knew something was up. There was a four-star on board and we were getting fixed up quick. When you get a 90-day repair in 3 1/2 days, you sort of get the idea that they don't want you there because you were needed somewhere else." When retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Otis Kight remembers the Battle of Midway, he remembers the silence. A deafening silence. The 83-year-old Virginia Beach man served on the USS Yorktown during World War II's pivotal naval battle in June 1942. That silence came after his Newport News-built aircraft carrier went dead in the water. It continued as the 809-foot ship sank below the water, its battle flags still flying. June 2007 marks the 65th anniversary of the battle. Partly because he is a member of the ever-shrinking pool of Midway veterans, Kight was honored this week by military members, veterans and defense contractors attending a military symposium in Virginia Beach. Two years ago, 700 Midway veterans remained, said Jon Youngdahl, who maintains a database of them for Naval Support Activity Washington. Today there are 340. Nine live in Hampton Roads. Reunions of Kight's unit grow smaller every year. Of the 138 sailors in his unit at Midway, 17 are left, Kight said. Only seven were well enough to make it to the last reunion. "A good bunch of guys," Kight said, remembering them as they were 65 years ago. "The Navy suited us well."

1. Midway Veteran Shares Knowledge with
Vinson Sailors
Story Number: NNS070705-05 Release Date: 7/5/2007 12:31:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joel Carlson, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- In commemoration of the Battle of Midway’s 65th anniversary, retired Lt. Cmdr.
Otis Kight, a survivor from USS Yorktown (CV 5) during the Battle of Midway, addressed USS Carl Vinson’s (CVN
70) crew members June 28, at a special ceremony held on the ship.
Kight was all smiles during his speech, giving advice to Carl Vinson’s attentive Sailors, both young and old.
Quoting the best advice given to him, Kight said, “You are the most important person in this command. If you
weren’t, then you would not even be here.”
“One of MCPON’s guiding principles is heritage,” said Machinist's Mate Master Chief (AW/SW) Calvin Watson Jr.,
executive assistant to Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Glenn Mallo. “There’s no better way to learn about our
Navy than to bring in somebody who played a role in such an important event as Midway.”
In addition to sharing words of wisdom and experience during the celebration, Kight compared teamwork to a
'domino effect.’
“You and me, we’re all dominoes,” said Kight. “Every single thing we do will have an absolute effect on somebody
down the road. Maybe not for one, two, or five years, but it will happen.”
“Always be prepared,” Kight continued. “Don’t only know your own job inside and out, but know your shipmates’
jobs as well. I do two things every day. First, I wake up and make sure that I’m alive. Second, I remind myself
where all the fire extinguishers and exits are located.”
Kight spent 30 years in the Navy and experienced the sinking of Yorktown, being shot down over foreign seas,
and fighting fire aboard USS Forrestal (CV 59).
Kight's visit highlighted the prominent role aircraft carrier Sailors played in naval battles during World War II.
In his closing comments, Kight spoke of his confidence in not only where the Navy has been, but where it is
going.
“I’m favorably impressed with today’s standards,” Kight said. “Today’s Sailor requires so much more knowledge
to complete their job than we ever did, back in the day.”
TO honor Kight, Lt. Cmdr. Paul Shields, assistant supply officer and president of Carl Vinson's Mustang
Association, presented him with a ship’s coin, a Carl Vinson photo album, a wood carrier-shaped plaque, and also
named Kight an honorary Carl Vinson Mustang.
Carl Vinson is currently undergoing its scheduled refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman
Newport News shipyard. The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through
near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.
During RCOH Carl Vinson’s nuclear fuel will be replenished and the ship’s services and infrastructure will be
upgraded to make her the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet and prepare her for another 25 years
or more of service.
For more news from USS Carl Vinson, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.