Steel Giants at Rest: The USS Midway and USS Independence at Pearl Harbor, 1990

On a sunny day in 1990, the stunning vistas of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, played host to a remarkable reunion of naval might and history. Two monumental giants of American sea power, the USS Midway (CV-41) and the USS Independence (CV-62), were photographed moored side by side, their silhouettes casting long shadows over the water. To the casual observer, it might have been just another day at a bustling naval base. But for those who paused to contemplate, it was a symbolic convergence of American resilience, technological progress, and the enduring legacy of aircraft carriers in shaping the course of world events.

Legends of the Sea: The Midway and Independence

The USS Midway and USS Independence, though forged in different eras, shared a common thread as floating cities and bastions of American naval power.

The USS Midway (CV-41) was commissioned just eight days after the end of World War II, in September 1945. She was the lead ship of her class and, at her commissioning, was the largest ship in the world. The Midway’s storied career spanned an astonishing 47 years, participating in virtually every U.S. crisis from the Cold War to the liberation of Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm.

By contrast, the USS Independence (CV-62) was a Forrestal-class carrier, launched in 1958 during the high-tension years of the Cold War. She was state-of-the-art for her day, boasting powerful catapults, angled flight decks, and the capability to launch a wide variety of aircraft—features born from the harsh lessons of World War II and Korea.

The two vessels bridged generations of naval innovation. When they were photographed together in 1990, they represented much more than raw firepower; they were the keepers of stories, memories, and legacies that spanned decades and oceans.

Pearl Harbor: A Hub of American Valor

The setting for this extraordinary encounter, Pearl Harbor, cannot be separated from its own epic narrative. On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the harbor, drawing the United States inexorably into World War II. Decades later, Pearl Harbor had become a vital logistical base for the Pacific Fleet, a nexus where the past and present of naval warfare often intersected.

Seeing the Midway and Independence moored together there, visitors and sailors alike would be reminded not only of the technological leaps in aircraft carrier design but also of the unbroken line of sailors who passed through these decks—each playing a part in the country’s defense and projecting power across the globe.

Life Aboard the Carriers

For those who served aboard them, the Midway and Independence were more than machines; they were living, breathing entities. Each carrier supported a population of nearly 5,000 crew members and air wing personnel. Onboard, a maze of passageways led to compartments for sleeping, eating, and recreation—including everything from barber shops and chapels to gyms and stores. The flight deck pulsed with life day and night, as crews launched and recovered dozens of aircraft with practiced precision. The roar of jet engines, the acrid smell of burned aviation fuel, the constant motion—life aboard was a singular experience, challenging and exhilarating in equal measure.

The camaraderie found aboard these ships was timeless, transcending ranks and rates. In the tight quarters, friendships were forged under stress and in moments of rare leisure, providing comfort and unity in the face of long separations from home.

1990: A Turning Point

When the photo in question was taken, both ships were at turning points in their storied careers. The world was changing rapidly—the Berlin Wall had just fallen, the Cold War’s long twilight was nearing its end, and new conflicts loomed on the horizon.

That same year, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait triggered the Gulf War, and the USS Independence was deployed to the region, one of the first American carriers on station for Operation Desert Shield. Meanwhile, the Midway—already a veteran of Vietnam and various Cold War crises—was preparing for what would be her last combat deployment, also in support of Operation Desert Storm.

In a way, the image of the two ships alongside each other at Pearl Harbor served as both a farewell to the Navy’s traditional carrier-heavy doctrine of the Cold War and a prelude to new adventures in a changing world order. Shortly thereafter, in 1992, the Midway would be decommissioned, ending nearly half a century of unwavering service. The Independence would remain in service until 1998, her presence felt in hotspots around the globe before she, too, was retired.

Preserving a Legacy

Today, the USS Midway has found a new life as a museum ship in San Diego, California. Each year, hundreds of thousands pass through her hangar bays and decks, learning about naval aviation’s pivotal role in American history. Volunteers, many of them former crew members, share their stories, ensuring new generations understand the sacrifices and triumphs of those who served.

The USS Independence, after her decommissioning, served as a parts hulk for active ships until she was eventually scrapped. Yet her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and in the lessons learned on her decks.

Conclusion: More Than Ships—Symbols of a Nation

When the USS Midway and USS Independence were photographed side by side at Pearl Harbor in 1990, they were more than warships. They represented the best of American innovation, the bravery of those who served, and the unbroken connection between past and present. As monuments to American resilience and progress, their legacy endures—etched not just in steel, but in the stories, memories, and sacrifices of all who sailed with them.

As Pearl Harbor continues to be a place of remembrance and reflection, the image of these two steel giants at rest stands as a powerful reminder: the ships may one day be gone, but the spirit they embodied will carry on, wherever the American flag is flown on the world’s oceans.