The USS Midway (CV-41) was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, serving from 1945 to 1992. Named after the pivotal Battle of Midway in World War II, it was the lead ship of its class and the first to be commissioned after the end of the war. The carrier played a significant role in the Cold War era and various military operations, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. It underwent several modernizations and upgrades during its service life, including the installation of an angled flight deck and steam catapults. The USS Midway was involved in many historic events, such as the evacuation of Saigon in 1975 and the interception of the Achille Lauro cruise ship hijackers in 1985. After its retirement, the ship was preserved as a museum in San Diego, California, becoming one of the most visited naval aviation museums in the world. The USS Midway's legacy continues to be celebrated, showcasing the history and significance of aircraft carriers and naval aviation in the United States.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.