It is estimated that more than 200,000 sailors and officers served on board the USS Midway (CV-41) over the course of the carrier’s 47 years of service. It’s hard to find a former crewmember whose heart doesn’t swell with pride when describing their time on Midway.
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.
But as Midway celebrates its 80th birthday, the carrier has now been decommissioned for more than 30 years. Those who once called her home, if only for a few years, have long since left the service or have retired from the Navy.
Except one.
In 1987, a young seaman apprentice carried his seabag across Midway’s quarterdeck for the first time. Nearly 39 years later, Karrey “DeWayne” Sanders is still wearing the uniform of the nation and has risen to rank of rear admiral.
Like Lee, Rear Adm. Sanders reflects with a smile on serving his first sea-duty tour on Midway.
“It was an honor and privilege to serve on a ship steeped in history,” said Rear Adm. Sanders, who is currently the Deputy Commander Fleet Cyber / Deputy Commander Navy Space. “I truly enjoyed my time on board USS Midway.”
Although he joined Midway as a junior enlisted sailor, he had his sights set on a greater purpose. He quickly rose through the ranks and within two years on board the Japan-based carrier had established himself a hard-charging boatswain’s mate 2nd class. He wasn’t satisfied to stop there.
“One of my jobs on board Midway was to ensure the quarterdeck boards that had all the command leadership photos were maintained, said Rear Adm. Sanders, a northern California native. “I would ask myself what did those leaders have that I didn’t or what would I need to do to get my picture up on those boards? After talking with my leadership and command career counselors, it was apparent that I needed to finish my college education.”
His two years on Midway formed the foundation of his leadership skills that has continued to carry him through his career.
“The leadership fundamentals I learned during my time on board were instrumental in my development through the enlisted and officer ranks,” said Rear Adm. Sanders, who followed in his grandfather’s footstep who served in the Navy during World War II. “My time on Midway made me the officer I am today.”
After leaving Midway, he continued his upward trajectory and in 1993 applied for and was accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program. After earning his bachelor of science degree in computer science from San Diego State University in 1997, he received his officer commission.
Following a series of sea duty tours in positions of increasing responsibility, he was selected for command at sea. In 2014, Rear Adm. Sanders became the 12th commanding officer of the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52).
“Words cannot express the excitement of being selected to command a Navy warship,” said Rear Adm. Sanders, who also served as the commanding officer of the USS Rushmore (LSD-47) and USS Portland (LPD-27), as well as commanded Amphibious Squadron 1. “Serving in a command leadership role has been the most rewarding and stressful times in my Navy career. Leading sailors and Marines has always been the highlight of my naval career.”
Serving on both Midway and Pearl Habor, both named for critical battles during World War II, evokes a deep emotional connection to both warships.
“Having served on two ships named after significant World War II events in the Pacific Theater was special, especially the connection and interactions with the Pearl Harbor Survivors,” said Rear Adm. Sanders, who was the keynote speaker for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony held on Midway in 2014. “The majority of my tours enhanced my experience and knowledge on the importance the Pacific Theater battles played in defeating the Empire of Japan.”
There are very few individuals serving in today’s Navy whose careers span 40 or more years, and for Rear. Adm. Sanders, his nearly four decades of naval service continues to provide him tremendous personal and professional satisfaction.
“What I appreciate most about naval service is the pride and professionalism of those who wore and wear the uniform, and the appreciation of service received from the civilian population,” said Rear Adm. Sanders, who also holds a master of science degree in software engineering as well as a master of arts degree in national security. “Working with and leading our sailors and Marines is very satisfying. Our young, enlisted sailors and Marines, to include those midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, are smarter and more focused than I was when I enlisted in 1986. I enjoyed watching them grow into future leaders.”
As it is for any sailor, it’s a sad day when a ship you served on is decommissioned, however, knowing that the Midway was important enough to be chosen to be a museum made Rear Adm. Sanders even more proud to have served on the carrier.
“Midway forged a young man from Northern California into a seasoned sailor,” said Rear Adm. Sanders, who has visited the museum several times with his family. “It’s pure Midway Magic. Midway will always be my first ship love and hold a special place in my heart. I will always treasure the time I spent on board Midway and serving this great nation.”
Rear Adm. Sanders is the only former Midway sailor currently serving on active duty.
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