 Instead , Yamamoto selected Midway , a tiny atoll at the extreme northwest end of the Hawaiian Island chain , approximately 1 @,@ 300 miles ( 1 @,@ 100 nautical miles ; 2 @,@ 100 kilometres ) from Oahu . This meant that Midway was outside the effective range of almost all of the American aircraft stationed on the main Hawaiian islands . Midway was not especially important in the larger scheme of Japan 's intentions , but the Japanese felt the Americans would consider Midway a vital outpost of Pearl Harbor and would therefore be compelled to defend it vigorously . The U.S. did consider Midway vital ; after the battle , establishment of a U.S. submarine base on Midway allowed submarines operating from Pearl Harbor to refuel and re @-@ provision , extending their radius of operations by 1 @,@ 200 miles ( 1 @,@ 900 km ) . In addition to serving as a seaplane base , Midway 's airstrips also served as a forward staging point for bomber attacks on Wake Island . 
