It was 1963 and Jim Oakes was a freshly minted ensign, commissioned after four years at the U.S. Naval Academy. His first fleet assignment was the USS Midway (CV-41) based at Naval Air Station Alameda. As it was for many of his fellow junior officers, San Francisco, just a short trip across the Bay Bridge, was an exciting city to enjoy a spot of liberty when not on duty.
Can a ship that has all or most of its components replaced over time still be considered the same ship?
This interesting and ancient question is actually considered both a thought experiment and paradox, known as the “Ship of Theseus,” that has been debated by philosophers since time immemorial.
Three cabinet makers from Portugal – Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose do Espirito Santo – immigrated to Hawaii in 1879. They brought with them their beloved braguinha, a traditional Portuguese stringed instrument of the guitar family. Nearly 8,000 miles from their home country, it was no surprise that the braguinha was not an instrument that was being crafted anywhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
“Dear Doc” was a dramatic theatrical presentation based on letters written to Dr. Lauren Post (aka “Doc”), a San Diego State professor, during the war. The nearly 5,000 letters from the former students are now archived in the Servicemen’s Correspondence Collection at the campus library. Nearly 50 of the letters were read aloud during the special presentation that was held in Midway’s hangar bay.
Even at 103 years old, when Midway plankowner Lee Owen talks about serving on Midway as part of the original crew in 1945, it still brings tears to his eyes.
Moving from one duty station to the next is never fun, and transferring to a high cost area like San Diego can be fraught with even greater challenges. Military pay and allowances don’t always keep up with the steep cost of living, which can put additional financial burdens on young military families
Midway American Patriot Award Honors San Diego Sport Heroes
Over the past 20 years, the Midway American Patriot Gala has paid tribute to titans of industry, elected officials, civic leaders, astronauts, war heroes, and trailblazers across every sector.