a coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean, in the northwestern group of the Hawaiian Islands. It arose on the basalt foundation of an extinct volcano. The lagoon of the atoll contains several tiny islands; the two largest—Sand Island and Eastern Island—have an area of 5.2 sq km. Population, 2,000 (1968). Midway is a stopover point on the air route between the USA and the countries of Asia. Sand Island has a trans-Pacific cable station, an airfield, and a lighthouse.
During World War II a battle took place near Midway on June 4—6, 1942, between a large Japanese shock unit (including 11 battleships, six aircraft carriers with 293 planes, 16 cruisers, and 53 destroyers), which was attempting to capture the US base of operations at Midway, and an American fleet (three aircraft carriers with 243 planes, eight cruisers, and 14 destroyers). In fighting the American carrier aircraft, the Japanese lost four carriers, one cruiser, and 253 planes and were forced to retreat. As a result, the Japanese Navy lost its superiority in aircraft carriers. The Americans lost one carrier, one destroyer, and 150 planes.