CNIWTG Holds Battle of Midway Commemoration

On the morning of 5 June 2026, Commander, Naval Information Warfare Training Group (CNIWTG) held a formal Battle of Midway ceremony with Cryptologic Direct Support Element and Naval Information Warfighting Development Center Building 1126 teammates. It was a fantastic venue to commemorate the 84th Anniversary of the battle and recall the critical information warfare ingredients that led to Admiral Chester Nimitz’s success in finding, closing, and destroying the enemy. The ceremony served as a rededication to the warrior ethos that secured U.S. victory from 4 to 7 Jun 1942.

Ms. Laura Orr of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum was the guest speaker for the event and provided a formal Midway presentation. One of IWTG’s cryptologic leads — CTRC Cody Brown, recent veteran of the 12-Day War as SSES Chief on USS Thomas Hudner  (DDG-116) — hung his grandfather’s WWII Service Dress Blues for display during the ceremony.

The event closed with the indelible Walter Lord quote: “… Midway showed that once in a while 'what must be' need not be at all. Even against the greatest of odds, there is something in the human spirit - a magic blend of skill, faith and valor - that can lift people from certain defeat to incredible victory.”

CAPT T.J. Gilmore, CO NIWTG (center) stands next to Ms. Laura Orr, guest speaker for the commemoration, along with other members of the NIWTG and NIWDC leadership team.

The traditional cake for the event.

CNIWTG took advantage of the occasion to take a command photo.