Midway Roundtable Update #10
3 November 2026
To fans and followers of the Battle of Midway Roundtable:
Topic in this update: in memory of a naval history icon
With profound regret, we must announce that the Roundtable and the entire naval history community have lost its preeminent scholar. Author, historian, and U.S. Naval Academy professor emeritus Craig Symonds passed away from cancer in October. He was 79.
I could list for you all the reasons that Craig deserves accolades at that level, but you’re probably aware of them yourself and you’ll see and hear them again in the video reference provided below.
For the Roundtable, besides his frequent contributions to our forum, Craig is noted primarily for authoring what we rate as the best general history of the Battle of Midway: his book by that title published in 2011. From its first appearance, we have always felt that anyone reading Craig’s book together with Shattered Sword could then number himself among those who are best-informed concerning all aspects of the Battle of Midway. That remains true today, and is unlikely to change in the future.
Craig has produced numerous related titles and articles that have merited strong focus on the Roundtable. If you’ve been with us a few years, you’ll recognize at least a few of them, such as Nimitz at War and especially his masterful treatment of the “Flight to Nowhere” in a 2012 Naval History magazine article.
I urge you to watch the following YouTube video, produced to honor Craig by five accomplished naval historians who knew Craig personally. It runs about 49 minutes, and it’s worth your time.
Sincere thanks to Elliot Carlson for bringing this news to our attention, and to Jon Parshall for the video link that follows.
Fairwell and following seas to an esteemed champion of his craft. He has been and remains the icon of excellence among all of us who strive to write on our chosen topic in any venue.
—Ron Russell
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQKN3_lfQaE
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For a PDF copy of this Bulletin click here:
Midway Roundtable Bulletin #10