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On Veterans Day, we express deep gratitude to those who have served and are serving in the United States armed forces. We honor and commit to supporting all those who have worn the uniform, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire future generations. Their courage and sacrifice remind us of the values we hold dear and the freedom we enjoy today. In the Pacific Islands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff also pays tribute to all who fought in the Battle of Midway, the fallen heroes and the last surviving veteran, acknowledging their sacrifices and the lasting impact of their service.
As we celebrate the freedom and peace that was ushered in decades ago, we recall our veteran’s bravery, selflessness, and determination to persevere against all odds and we seek to continue to learn from them. The Service also honors the military history and legacy of the Battle of Midway, perpetuating this legacy of remembrance, gratitude, and acknowledgement of our Midway veterans and those that served throughout World War II.
During the Battle of Midway, sailors and pilots faced intense aerial combat, relentless enemy attacks, and the sinking of an aircraft carrier - the USS Yorktown. The bravery demonstrated by these men was extraordinary fighting under the duress of the loss of many comrades.
The chaos of battle left lasting scars on many of those who survived. Many witnessed the loss of friends and colleagues, and the psychological toll of combat endured long after the fighting ceased. Survivors returned home to a world forever changed, grappling with the memories of war while seeking to reintegrate into civilian life. Their stories remind us of the profound sacrifices made by those who served.
Some of these men took another leap of valor after the war ended, choosing to sustain, extend and expand the courage and fearlessness that lived in their hearts beyond the time of their sworn-in service. Some demonstrated as much devotion to serve humanity for the past seven decades as they did during the War.
Before they passed away this year, we had the honor of getting to personally know two amazing men who were only two weeks apart in age, living their lives after the War serving their communities, driven by great purpose, generosity and love. Although we didn’t get to know him in person, we also pay tribute to Hank Kudzik who passed in May of this year. We also deeply honor the last Battle of Midway survivor -Colonel John F. Miniclier - who has been a dear friend of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service family since the 70th Battle of Midway Anniversary.
Colonel John F. Miniclier
Colonel John F. Miniclier is 103 years old and is now the only living Battle of Midway survivor.
On December 7, 1941, John Miniclier was stationed at a naval facility on Midway Island. Miniclier was a 20-year-old Private 1st Class when he served at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. He was stationed on Sand Island in a 30-foot searchlight control tower, where he counted enemy planes and watched U.S. planes take off.
On the day the battle began, he was atop of the tower on the lookout for enemy planes.
“That day, by that time we had put up a wooden tower right next to the power plant and there was room for two of us up there,” he said. “There was about 38 of them so they came on a line straight from towards us and they dropped the bombs kind of a string that went right across where we were at.”
He witnessed a U.S. pilot bail out of a shot-down plane and be gunned down by Japanese planes as he fell.
Miniclier served in China, Japan, Okinawa, Vietnam, and the Mediterranean. John Minicler’s service went on for 35 years with the Marine Corps until 1977 when he retired as a colonel. Throughout his career and by his side, his wife Peggy Miniclier — a veteran of the Marine Corps who he met at a bowling alley while both were stationed in Quantico, Virginia in 1945.
They’ve been married now for 79 years. John and Peggy have lived a delightful and fulfilling life together with four children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
In 2002 Minicleir returned to Midway Atoll to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the battle, and he returned again in 2007 for the 75th Anniversary.
Sergeant Edgar R. Fox (January 7,1923 – October 24, 2024)
Edgar R. Fox joined the Marine Corps in June 1941 and following recruit training was assigned to the Sixth Defense Battalion. On December 7, 1941, the unit was enroute to Wake Island, but when the island was captured by the Japanese at the beginning of World War II, the unit was redirected to Midway Island. When Midway Island was attacked by the Japanese on June 4, 1942, PFC Fox manned a pillbox on the southern end of Sand Island (part of Midway Atoll).
During his fifth visit to Midway Atoll after the Battle of Midway Ed stated: “My job was to deny the enemy access to the beach. The air attack lasted about 27 minutes. I could feel the bombs dropping and hear machine guns going off from the strafing planes and our guns firing back. I’m probably one of the luckiest men to be alive today because of the men that didn’t make it to make it available for me to be here to tell people what they did, how and why. What I will never forget is the brotherhood. We always covered each other’s back. There’s always spirit, respect, and camaraderie. I just feel proud about being a part of the Battle of Midway group."
Upon completion of his enlistment, Fox reenlisted in the Army and received training in communications and combat photography. He remained on active duty in the Army until 1966 when he retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He then commenced a career with the U.S. Forest Service.
When his time with the Marines was over, tired of so much battle, he joined the Army as a motion picture photographer and went to Korea where he earned a Bronze Star securing a historical record of combat operations. He continued his photography career in the Army and while stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany, he met and married the love of his life, Edna Christine (Chris) on Nov 11, 1961. She was a teacher on base, he was a soldier. Ed later transitioned to becoming a recruiter and career counselor in the Army and was stationed in Springfield Missouri. Receiving an Army Commendation Medal, he retired from the military June 1, 1966 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his last year he had been asked to attend a soldier’s funeral, a soldier that he had enlisted and who went to Vietnam. It was then he knew, enough was enough.
After the military he worked with the US Forest Service. He and Chris traveled all across America, ultimately returning to Springfield. Where he volunteered with the Marine Corps League, working closely with the Toys for Tots program. He was also on the team as their “music”, playing taps at funerals. He also volunteered with the Springfield sheriff’s department as a Reserve Citizen police officer. And volunteered with Rainbow Network, helping with supplies to Nicaragua. His most rewarding position he said was as a teacher’s aide at Holland elementary school
For more than a decade, Several staff and volunteers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) feel privileged to have known Ed like a friend, brother and at times – as a grandfather. Only a few of the staff have the honor to have experienced a deep bond with Ed, visiting his home while feeling blessed by his loving kindness and fearless expression on matters of the heart. Ed was and forever will be remembered a part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service family. On numerous occasions, the Service brought Ed to Midway where we connected not just with his wisdom, inspiring stories and his deep gratitude, but also with the powerful nostalgia Ed felt each time he set foot on Midway with us.
Ed’s power of influence kept us connected to the history and the past, while looking ahead towards a brighter future. Since 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has had the honor of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge being designated as the Battle of Midway National Memorial. Ed made indelible contributions and enriched the Memorial’s legacy--ensuring that the heroic courage and sacrifice of those who fought against overwhelming odds to win an incredible victory will never be forgotten.
The pill box where Sgt. Fox was stationed on June 4, 1942 during the attack, still stands today amidst the rising sea on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial.
Ed passed away peacefully on October 24, 2024. Ed will forever live in our hearts, and his name will be mentioned perpetually in our tales of his brave service at Midway, and his generosity and compassion for humanity. To those who served, and to those who carry forward their legacy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife extends our profound thanks.
Julian E. Hodges (February 5, 1923 – September 5, 2024)
Julian was a member of what has come to be known as the Greatest Generation. After spending most of his life near the water, Julian Hodges followed in his older brother’s footsteps and joined the Navy in 1941.
As a member of the United States Navy, he served on the USS Yorktown and USS West Virginia and is a veteran of the Battle of the Coral Sea, a four-day engagement that was a strategic victory for the Allies, and the Battle of Midway.
In the Battle of the Coral Sea, a five-hundred-pound bomb was dropped on the Yorktown, crashing through three levels of the ship and killing more than fifty men. He was the last of the surviving members of the USS Yorktown. Hodges was working in the ship’s boiler room when one of the torpedoes hit, which knocked him forward and forced his arm in between two steam pipes. The blast entrapped Hodges’ left arm in metal. As crew members were told to abandon ship, Hodges couldn’t move. Comrades at one point contemplated amputating his arm. Before the USS Yorktown slipped below the waves shortly after dawn on June 7, 1942, two men helped pull Hodges’ arm free from between two steam pipes.
Suffering a concussion, separated shoulder, and injured knee, he bravely went over the side of the ship after orders were given to abandon ship. Hodges was able to secure his arm with a life jacket before escaping from the sinking ship. “I still got a shoulder out of place, I’ve got to get off the ship, I’ve got to get into the water somehow and then I’ve got to swim somehow,” recalled Hodges. Hodges was soon rescued but spent days with almost no medical attention.
He returned to Hawaii and spent the rest of the war serving while undergoing treatment for his battle wounds.
On November 1, 1945, he was medically discharged from the United States Navy. Hodges followed a calling he heard to serve in the ministry and attended Baptist Bible Institute in Lakeland, Florida for four years before embarking on a career in ministry that lasted more than sixty years. As Pastor and Interim Pastor, Hodges has served churches in Florida, Michigan Washington DC, and Kentucky.
Julian was honored at the 80th Battle of Midway Anniversary events in Honolulu and onsite at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial.
Rev. Julian E. “Gene” Hodges, age 101, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away on September 5, 2024, at Hillview Healthcare Care Center in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Rev. Hodges had an easy smile, was humble in life’s achievements, loved his family, carried a deep sadness for those who were lost, but maintained a calm and positive outlook on life that was contagious.
Chief Petty Officer Hank Kudzik (1925 – May 11, 2024)
Henry "Hank" Kudzik who passed away on May 2024 at the age of 99, served aboard USS Nautilus (SS-168) for eight war patrols that included the Battle Midway and the mission to deliver Marine Raiders to Makin Island.
Hank Kudzik was only 16 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and right then and there he wanted to go into the Navy. After enlisting in the United States Navy he was first stationed at Pearl Harbor. He volunteered for the Submarine Service and was later aboard two submarines, the USS Nautilus (SS-168) and the USS Gar (SS-206).
After having been on a waiting list for submarines, he passed all the tests… and the Nautilus came in. His first submarine would depart Pearl Harbor for Midway and sail straight into harm’s way.
A few years ago, Kudzik remarked to a United States Navy Memorial film crew, “We proceeded to Midway… When we got off sight...it was only a couple of days off Midway when we ran into a flotilla... We didn't even have to plan an attack; they were coming right over us. The Skipper said make four torpedoes ready, tubes one, two, three, four...” Pausing for a moment, Kudzik shared an occurrence that plagued the submarine force, “Well an amazing thing happened. He chose a large ship...the four torpedoes were fired… they all hit their targets and they did not explode.” Although these torpedoes were defective, Kudzik would share that the Nautilus would inflict losses on the Japanese before returning to Pearl Harbor. Kudzik’s wartime account’s recorded and preserved by the United States Navy Memorial would span much of the War in the Pacific aboard two distinguished submarines.
Kudzik was also with the Nautilus when the sub rescued four nuns from behind enemy lines on Bougainville Island. He later served six war patrols aboard USS Gar (SS-206).
The Battle of Midway stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of the U.S. Navy and its sailors. On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to those who fought in the historic battle, acknowledging their sacrifices and the lasting impact of their service. As we honor these veterans, let us also commit to supporting all those who have worn the uniform, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire future generations. Their courage and sacrifice remind us of the values we hold dear and the freedom we enjoy today.
On remote islands across the Pacific, from Sand Island to Wake Atoll, the beaches still echo with the events of the past, when small groups of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen overcame incredible odds that turned the tides.
The people of Hawai‘i and our nation have not forgotten. Our allies and partners continue to remember. And annually, the Service will continue to join families and communities across the United States, in honoring our veterans.
Let us remember the generations of our nation’s veterans whose commitment to diligent service is an inspiration today and into the future. Let us remember our familial and cultural connections to these men and women and unwavering gratitude.
