Another Magical Year on Midway in 2025 It was another amazing year at the USS Midway Museum in 2025 as the museum commemorated the 50th anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind and honored America’s Greatest Generation on the 80th anniversary of World War II. The museum also rekindled a memory that lain dormant for more than 30 years and then went to the dogs helping train canine companions for sailors on Navy ships. “There was much to be proud about here on Midway in 2025,” said Terry Kraft, Midway’s president and CEO. “We continue to be a tremendous icon in San Diego by providing unparalleled experiences for our guests, supporting our military servicemembers and their families, and honoring our veterans.” In an emotional tribute to the courage and bravery of South Vietnamese refugees and the compassion and selflessness of USS Midway sailors, Midway commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and Operation Frequent Wind in April.
performances celebrating Vietnamese culture and decadesold friendships rekindled amongst tearful embraces. The commemoration also honored the unselfish actions of Midway’s crew during the frenzied rescue operation. “This ceremony on Midway allowed us to come together to share and commemorate the courage, heroism and compassion that took place on this ship 50 years ago,” said Kraft. “Those Midway sailors represented the best of what America stood for in 1975 and continues to stand for today. Through fearless determination and resilience, the new Vietnamese Americans have not only gone on to thrive, but have achieved greatness in the United States.” For one former Midway crewmember, 2025 brought back a touching memory, not only for himself, but for his daughter. In the days leading up to Operation Desert Storm in 1991, while Midway was on station in the Persian Gulf, Barry Bratton, a catapult officer on Midway, received an oversize card from his wife. With a teary-eyed cartoon elephant on the cover, it read simply “I Miss You!” The card sat for months on the desk in his stateroom. Barry Bratton with missing card on the USS Midway Museum.
U.S. and South Vietnamese military veterans attended the Operation Frequent Wind commemoration.
On April 29-30, 1975, Midway rescued more than 3,000 South Vietnamese refugees escaping Saigon in advance of the siege by the North Vietnamese Army. For 30 hours, American and South Vietnamese military helicopters converged nonstop on the Midway. The day-long ceremony was filled with gripping memories of harrowing escapes from Saigon, inspiring 8 SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / January 2026
Shortly after the war end, Bratton received orders to return to the states and was packing his gear when he accidently bumped the card and it fell behind his desk that was bolted in place. He was unable to retrieve the card. During visit to Midway a few years ago, he was surprised to see that his old stateroom was still intact and wondered if the card might still be there. During a return visit to the museum in 2025, a member of Midway’s safety department found the card where it had sat behind the desk for nearly 35 years.