On 18 September, the Naval Institute dedicated the Vice Admiral William D. Houser–Battle of Midway Terrace at Beach Hall. We had a wonderful turnout for the event, including Vice Admiral Houser’s widow, Jan Evans Houser, members of his family, and numerous Midshipmen. Former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, U.S. Navy (Retired) made personal, inspiring remarks.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a bronze plaque:
The Vice Admiral William D. Houser–Battle of Midway Terrace
Nowhere are the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment better represented than at the Battle of Midway, 4–7 June 1942.
It is a classic drama in which the underdog comes off the ropes to score a devastating knockout punch. It is replete with moments of phenomenal courage, inspirational sacrifice, clever deception, and fateful decisions.
In short, it exemplifies what is best about the United States Navy. In the decades that followed, Vice Admiral William D. Houser (Naval Academy Class of 1942) worked tirelessly to ensure that our Navy and the American people would not forget the courage and sacrifice that changed the course of a world war.
Through his efforts and the generosity of his estate, the U.S. Naval Institute is proud to carry on his legacy by dedicating this terrace to that iconic battle. The aircraft that clashed over the Pacific are now rusted relics, and the wakes of the great ships have long vanished, but the importance of those momentous events and the people who made them happen must never be forgotten.
So Dedicated this 18th day of September in the year 2014.
Please take the occasion to visit the terrace when you are next at Beach Hall. We all thank Mrs. Houser again for her generosity to the Naval Institute. Her gift will make an immense, positive difference for years to come.
I am very pleased to announce that the 2014 U.S. Naval Institute Holiday Catalog is now available. I recommend that you take a look at www.usni.org. There are so many good titles from the Naval Institute Press— history, biographies, autobiographies, fiction, nonfiction, current events, strategy, and U.S. and foreign reference works—you will be pleased you did. In addition to our great Member discounts, the catalog offers free shipping and a special one-time, 50 percent off on books ordered by 19 December. To receive this discount, use the coupon code “Holiday 2014.” You can order online—www.nip.org—or via phone: (800) 233-8764. Once you have placed your orders, you will want to continue scanning the catalog to enjoy all the naval history “Scuttlebutt” features.
The 1 October “Leaders in Action: Ordinary People Doing the Extraordinary” conference, cohosted with the Naval Academy and sponsored by The William M. Wood Foundation, was an extraordinarily powerful, superb event. It was a pleasure to see so many Members, together with Midshipmen from the Naval Academy, faculty and staff, George Washington University’s NROTC unit, and students from Severn School in attendance. From distinguished naval historian and author James Hornfischer’s account of Captain Ernest Evans on board the gallant USS Johnston (DD-557) in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, to the panel of Medal of Honor recipients from World War II, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, to Captain Charlie Plumb’s riveting account and lessons learned from his six years as a POW in Vietnam, to the moving, inspiring panel of wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan, it was a day that will long be remembered. My sincere thanks to all in attendance and all who played a part.
Our next conference, Defense Forum Washington 2014, will convene on 4 December at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., with a program of outstanding speakers addressing “What Does the Nation Need from its Sea Services?” Please register now. Details can be found at www.defenseforumwashington.com.