4. Not a single American battleship participated in the battle
Contrary to popular belief, American battleships were operational in the Pacific Theater following the attack on Pearl Harbor. In May, 1942, USS Colorado and USS Maryland patrolled the west coast of the United States. USS Mississippi was in the Pacific, also on the west coast, as were USS Idaho and USS New Mexico. None of the American battleships were called in to support operations at Midway. It wasn’t because there were none available, it was because none were fast enough to operate with the aircraft carriers. The United States Navy had already recognized the fleet carrier was the main offensive weapon in its arsenal, and slow battleships operating alongside them would eliminate their advantage in speed.
There was also a fourth American aircraft carrier ready for action, USS Saratoga, which was in San Diego in May. Saratoga was awaiting the arrival of the task force commander Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch when it received orders from Admiral Nimitz to depart for Pearl Harbor at the end of May, whether Fitch was on board or not. Saratoga arrived at Pearl Harbor on June 6, refueled, and departed to meet the American task force operating off Midway. The following day, Saratoga sortied to join the remaining American carriers (Enterprise and Hornet), and became Admiral Jack Fletcher’s flagship for the final days of the Midway operation. It did not take any active part in the battle; the Japanese had withdrawn by the time of its arrival.