Pacific War Post

Sons & Daughters of WWII Veterans Launches!

2011-01-13T12:13:00.001-06:00

As of January 1, 2011, the Sons and Daughters of World War II Veterans Genealogical Society is open for membership! This project has been a long time in the making and we here at the Admiral Nimitz Foundation are excited to see it launch! If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog, you’ve been hearing about this genealogical organization for quite some time. Setting Sons and Daughters of World War II Veterans apart from other WWII registries, this organization is a genealogical endeavor – allowing individuals to prove lineage from a WWII veteran of the US Armed Forces. It will follow the American Genealogical Standard of Proof, thus making membership both meaningful and helpful to future generations.

For more information and to join, visit www.sonsanddaughtersofww2veterans.org

We’re just getting started, and are grateful for suggestions! Our website will soon be an “encrypted site”. NO personal information about members such as their birth/marriage dates are ever put on the web. We only list the service information of the Veteran and the name and membership categories of the Members. We do use PayPal right now for on-line payments, if people choose. Otherwise, you may mail a check or call us with a Visa or Mastercard. We are a program of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to help a fabulous WWII museum, the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX. Come Visit!!

If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions, please let us know at SADWW2V@NimitzFoundation.org.

Holiday Greetings from Admiral Nimitz

2010-12-22T13:53:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas from Admiral Nimitz, 1944!

Letter from Pearl Harbor

2010-12-07T09:00:00.001-06:00

In memory of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I thought it appropriate to post an excerpt from a letter home from a Texan on the USS Arizona. It was one of his last letters home. From Grover Barron Bishop:

USS ARIZONA 9 Nov 1941

Dear Dad & Folks:
It sure has been a long time since I’ve gotten a letter from that part of the world. I’m beginning to wonder just why there isn’t more mail? Maybe there is so much cotton to gin that you just don’t have time?
Boy, I was sure a sick boy for awhile. I am still awful weak & I still have a heavy cough but am up & around. I still am not back to regular duty but am on light duty list. Doctor says I’ll have to take it easy for awhile. Dad, on all of my beneficiary slips I’ve put Ladonia’s at Johnnie & Samies address. If something should happen to me they’ll wire here. So if anything comes for her you take it and of course notify her. That is the easiest way as each time your address changes a new slip must be made out & sworn to. This way the address is permanent & saves lots & lots of trouble for the overworked yeoman.
Dad, I’m tempted to ship over in the outfit without even a crack at the outside. Also am tempted to ship over early & try to make arrangements to get leave over Christmas. As it stands now I’m almost positive we’ll be here during the month of December. As you know a Christmas under a palm tree won’t be Christmas to us Cedar loving people. . . . .
The Army seems to be having a little trouble over morale. Well, maybe the morale is low & maybe the morale of the Navy isn’t so high, but once we start fighting that’ll all be forgotten. The men out here are hard worked and would like to see the fleet return but we have faith. We believe the President will return us home just as soon as he thinks it is safe. For that reason & because we know it is in the best interest of the nation we don’t mind it so much. In a few more months we’ll all be native anyway. It won’t matter then. I’d say the morale of the ship is as high as it has ever been. One thing that would help would be war with Japan. That would give us confidence in ourselves & at the same time furnish a lot of good training.
Well folks in about 5 minutes the lights go off & mail closes before reveille in the morning. So I’ll cut this short.
Just remember how very much I think of you & write me soon as your letters mean so much. Lots & lots of love to all.
From, Barron

The Rescue of Lt(j.g.) George HW Bush in 1944

2010-12-02T11:59:00.003-06:00

The following is a video that was made when Commander Paul Cook, USN (Ret) visited the museum recently. He was part of the detachment that rescued George HW Bush in 1944 when his plane was shot down. Former President Bush was a Lieutenant (junior grade), USNR at the the time of the rescue. See Cdr. Cook tell his story of the rescue.

Tarawa

2010-11-23T16:00:00.005-06:00

The following are photos from the Museum's Collection. They were taken by Norm Hatch on Tarawa. The bloody Battle of Tarawa was fought from November 20 - 23, 1943.

Inspiring our Youth

2010-11-18T11:07:00.004-06:00

The museum's motto is "We Inspire our Youth by Honoring our Heroes."

This college professor is doing his part in carrying out our motto by bringing students to learn the history of the Pacific War and the generation of heroes that fought that war.

We have an ongoing program for museum visitors to write letters to wounded servicemen and women at BAMC in San Antonio. This letter was written by one of our younger visitors and hopefully will bring a smile to one of today's wounded heroes.

America's White Table

2010-11-11T09:30:00.001-06:00

This post was made around Memorial Day but I believe that it deserves to be posted again on Veterans Day.

During patriotic holidays, including Veterans Day, a model of America’s White Table will be set up to honor those men and women who serve(d) in the United States’ Armed Forces. The tradition of placing the table began with a group of Vietnam fighter pilots but has now extended to honor all of those serving this country all around the world. Margot Theis Raven, author of the children’s book, America’s White Table said, “The point is every single day of freedom is brought to you by that person who is not sitting there.”

The small table signifies one lone serviceman’s battle against many. The white cloth honors our comrade’s pure heart for answering his country’s call to duty. The lemon slice and grains of salt represent the captive serviceman’s bitter fate and the tears of his family awaiting his return. A black napkin is placed for the sorrow of captivity. The glass is upside down for the meal that won’t be eaten. The white candle and the red rose represent peace and hope for the serviceman’s return. The empty chair at the table is for the missing serviceman.

“You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains.”

The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

2010-11-09T10:41:00.004-06:00

Veterans Day was originally established as a holiday to honor and memorialize those men who fought in World War I. World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. However fighting ceased more than seven months earlier with an armistice that went into effect at 1100 on November 11, 1918. Originally, the day was known as Armistice Day because World War I was to be the war to end all wars. Following World War II, which required the greatest mobilization of all branches of the military in the nation’s history, and after the Korean War, the word “Veterans” took the place of “Armistice.” On June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. For a brief time, Veterans Day was to serve as one of four national holidays that would be on a Monday to ensure a three-day weekend for the people, but because of the historical significance of November 11 it was returned to that date. Today we honor veterans from all wars, both past and present, for their service, honor, and courage.

Come out to the Memorial Courtyard at the National Museum of the Pacific War at 11:00 am on Thursday for a commemoration program. Senator John Cornyn will be presenting the Keynote Address. It is a free program and all are welcome!

To all of those who have served, thank you!

2010-10-19T14:40:00.004-06:00

We are so pleased to share the wonderful response we received from Dr. Simon Patrick’s visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War. He and his wife visited the museum on a recent trip to Texas from London.

Dear Sirs,

My wife and I have just returned to the UK from a 2-week vacation in Texas, of which the highlight was undoubtedly a visit to the Museum of the Pacific War (and there were many high points in our visit!).

I think it is quite simply the best museum I have ever visited anywhere on the globe and wish to convey our appreciation to your organisation.

To be frank I had not heard of the museum before stumbling upon it in Fredericksburg (looking for European strength coffee!!) and having enjoyed an afternoon touring the USS Lexington earlier in our holiday, it seemed an obvious follow up.

Not only are the exhibits and the background material presented with intelligence and in logical sequence, but there is an almost complete absence of jingoism or bias in the exhibit which is presented with emotional rather than nationalistic emphasis - really quite moving at times. And if I may say so, such a different presentation of American psyche and attitudes than that which prevail and pervade the impression of the US here in the UK and more widely in Europe.

Four hours was nothing like long enough to do the museum justice and it will be on our list of places to return in Texas just as soon as we can.

Thank you for providing this experience and providing such an insight to such a bleak period of history.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Simon Patrick

ENSIS - ECRC

University College London

Thank you again for your comments, Dr. Patrick!

NMPW to Host Military Blood Drive

2010-10-14T13:18:00.004-06:00

The National Museum of the Pacific War is excited to announce that they will host a blood drive that will specifically benefit the U.S. military, first in war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan and then in military hospitals. This will be the seventh of this type to be held in Fredericksburg and the first to be held on museum grounds.

When the military runs low on their blood supply, they must purchase blood from civilian blood banks at regular retail prices. The military may not ask for blood donations or assistance from civilians either. In May of 2007, the St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus in Fredericksburg held the first local blood drive for the military with great success. Since then, five more drives have been held here in town all with great success but venues have sometimes been less central and therefore have not had the donor attendance that the community would normally provide. The National Museum of the Pacific War is located on Main Street and is very easily accessible for the community. The site was approved for a one time drive through a process that went all the way to the Secretary of Defense.

This year’s drive will be held in the Nimitz Ballroom at the National Museum of the Pacific War on November 1, 2 and 3. The drive will last three days in hopes of collecting as many lifesaving units as possible. The Armed Services Blood Program says that 50 units is a successful drive, but in the past, Fredericksburg has blown that number out of the water with an average of almost 300 units per drive. One unit of blood can help save up to three lives. The community of Fredericksburg has a strong history of military support and is now continuing that legacy by sending the “Ultimate Care Package” to our men and women in uniform!

Peleliu

2010-10-07T10:54:00.004-06:00

Here are a handful of photos taken by Norm Hatch on Peleliu. The battle of Peleliu was fought from September 15 to November 27, 1944. They are part of the museum’s collection.

Members of the 81 Army Infantry Division (Wildcats) marching along a pontoon causeway toward the beach on Peleliu.

A handler of the Marine War Dog contingent participating in the Peleliu action reads a note just delivered by his canine messenger.

A damaged amphibious tractor is hauled aboard an LST, which served as a repair shop for vehicles disabled in the fight to establish the Marine beachhead on the island of Peleliu.

Battle-weary Marines in full fighting regalia raise a cloud of dust as they plod along a Peleliu road en route to the front lines where the Japanese had been driven into a pocket.

Empty shell cases and powder cartons are heaped up near a Marine 75mm gun emplacement on Peleliu; evidence of the pounding dealt the enemy in this sector.

Appearing like a 4^th of July rocket, a phosphorous grenade explodes a Japanese dugout on the southern Peleliu peninsula. The Japanese occupying the position refused to surrender and were killed when Marines tossed this grenade into their nest.

A Marine-piloted Corsair fighter plane drops a fire bomb on Japanese positions in the hills of Peleliu. The smoke on the target is the result of a bullseye by a previous plane attack.

2010 Not Over Yet

2010-09-30T14:47:00.003-06:00

The kids are back in school and the symposium has come and gone but that doesn’t mean that programs at the museum are slowing down. We still have two weekends of living history shows, a WWII author’s forum and a couple patriotic holiday celebrations – all before we wrap up 2010.

As many of you know, this weekend is the 30^th anniversary of Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg. After the chicken dance Saturday morning, come to the Living History Program at the museum, there is plenty of time to enjoy both.

Monday, October 11 is a bank holiday, which means a three day weekend, and we’ll be hosting three great WWII authors at a free author’s forum and booksigning in the Nimitz Ballroom. See the previous blog entry for details on the visiting authors.

The weekend of November 13 and 14 will be the last Living History programs of 2010. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see one of these shows yet, make a point to be here.

Our annual Veteran’s Day program, featuring Senator John Cornyn as Keynote Speaker, will be in the Memorial Courtyard at 11:00 the morning of November 11. At 12:25 on December 7, our annual Pearl Harbor Day recognition program will be held in the Memorial Courtyard. Both of these programs are free to the public and are great opportunities to honor and thank those who have served our country from WWII to now.

Fredericksburg is a great weekend destination; make sure to include the National Museum of the Pacific War in your plans.

Columbus Day Author's Forum

2010-09-24T14:07:00.002-06:00

On October 11 we will be hosting an author’s forum with three highly acclaimed WWII historians. All three authors have been speakers at the museum for past events.

James D. Hornfischer’s next book, Neptune’s Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal, will be published by Bantam Books on January 25, 2011.

Hornfischer is the author of two other acclaimed works of World War II naval history: The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy’s Finest Hour and Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR’s Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of Her Survivors, both published by Bantam.

Hornfischer’s writing career has grown out of a lifelong interest in the Pacific war. He has appeared on television on the History Channel, Fox News Channel’s “War Stories with Oliver North” and C-SPAN’s “BookTV.” A frequent speaker on the subject of the war in the Pacific, the U.S. Navy, and the experience of America’s sailors in World War II, he frequently addresses veterans organizations, youth and civic groups, and professional naval organizations on the inspiring stories found in his books.

A native of Massachusetts and a graduate of Colgate University and the University of Texas School of Law, Hornfischer is a member of the Naval Order of the United States, the Navy League, and was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry as an “Admiral in the Texas Navy.” A former New York book editor, Hornfischer is president of the literary agency Hornfischer Literary Management, located in Austin, Texas, where he lives with his wife and their three children.

• • •

John Wukovits’ most recent book, Admiral “Bull” Halsey: The Life and Wars of the Navy’s Most Controversial Commander, was published in July of 2010 by Palgrave Macmillan.

Wukovits has authored five other books, including American Commando; One Square Mile of Hell: The Battle for Tarawa; Pacific Alamo: The Battle for Wake Island; Eisenhower: A Biography (part of the “Great Generals” series); and Devotion to Duty: A Biography of Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague. His writing has also appeared in more than 25 magazines, including WWII History and American History.

When he was still in grade school, Wukovits read a book on the Battle of the Coral Sea and has been hooked ever since. Oliver North interviewed his as his chief historian for an episode of “War Stories with Oliver North” dealing with Wake Island. He was also the main historical consultant and on-air commentator for the History Channel’s ten-part series, Pacific: The Lost Evidence which re-airs frequently.

Wukovits earned his BA in history from Notre Dame and his MA in American History from Michigan State University. In 2005 he retired from teaching junior high school History and Language Arts. He is currently working on a book about the USS Samuel B. Roberts.

• • •

Bill Sloan is the author of a dozen books, most recently Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944 – The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War. A former investigative reporter at the Dallas Times Herald, where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Sloan lives in Dallas.

'War Termination'

2010-09-21T14:08:00.003-06:00

This year's symposium, 'War Termination,' was a success! The program was filmed this year and excerpts will soon be available for online viewing. While we are still sifting through photos and evaluating the weekend, here are a few highlights for anyone who missed it.

Richard Frank and his veteran panel on the conclusion of the war with Japan. Veterans include J.L. Summers, Lost Battalion P.O.W.; Hal Leith; Stanley Kuenstler and Bob Dale.

Vietnam veteran Jim Reckner, Ph.D. signing posters on Friday afternoon.

Vietnam historian Lewis Sorley, Ph.D., and Vietnam veteran Robert Caron.

Korean War veteran General Lim Sun-Ha, ROKA (Ret) and his wife Sandra.

General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret) presenting the Keynote Address.

As soon as the weekend's presentations are available online, a link will be posted.

'War Termination' Historians

2010-09-11T12:32:00.002-06:00

We’ve been very busy preparing for the coming symposium on how wars have ended throughout United States history. We’re certain that if you come, you’ll enjoy what you see. There will be nine historian/scholars here presenting in their areas of expertise on the way wars have ended beginning with the pre-World War era and ending with the first Gulf War.

Craig Symonds, Ph.D. will review the endings of U.S, wars up to the end of WWI. He is Professor Emeritus of American History at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is also the first to win both the Naval Academy’s ‘Excellence in Teaching’ and ‘Excellence in Research’ awards.

Kelly Crager, Ph.D. will serve as our moderator. He is currently the head of the Oral History Project at the Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University.

Michael Pearlman, Ph.D. is author of ‘Truman and MacArthur: Policy, Politics, and the Struggle for Honor and Renown’ which tied for the Gold Medal for Outstanding History Book of 2009, and Independent Publisher Book Award. He will be talking on the meetings at Yalta and Potsdam and the end of WWII in Europe.

Richard Frank will take our audience from a military victory through enduring peace with the ending of the Pacific War. He is the author of the acclaimed WWII books, ‘Guadalcanal’ and ‘Downfall,’ he was also a consultant for the HBO series, ‘The Pacific.’

General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret) will deliver the Keynote Address after lunch on Saturday. He is a retired four-star Marine Corps General and former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command.

Allan Millett, Ph.D., the Ambrose Professor of History and Director of the Eisenhower CenterUniversity of New Orleans, will be speaking about the Korean War. for American Studies at the

Lewis Sorley, Ph.D. is the author of ‘A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam,’ and is our Vietnam War expert.

Geoffrey Wawro, Ph.D. will then bring us almost to current times by presenting on the Bosnian War and the first Gulf War. He is the General Olinto Mark Barsanti Professor of Military History and Director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas.

Sunday afternoon, H.W. Brands, the Dickson Allen Anderson Centennial Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, will close out our symposium with a lessons learned synopsis of the weekend.

This is just a taste of what each of our historian/scholars have accomplished in their field.

Each panel, starting with Rich Frank’s Pacific War panel, will also have veteran presenters to give their experiences in actually being there.

65 Years Ago...

2010-09-02T09:50:00.005-06:00

Today marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender that brought WWII to a final end. Below are a handful of pictures of the surrender ceremonies from the museum's collection.

USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay 2 September 1945.

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signs Instrument of Surrender aboard USS Missouri.

General Douglas MacArthur signs Instrument of Surrender.

Color photo of Japanese delegate signing Instrument of Surrender.

U.S. ships at anchor at the close of the day in Tokyo Bay.

Celebrations of the end of WWII with pyrotechnics in Leyte Gulf.

Michael Dana Kennedy Visits the Museum with his book 'The Flowers of Edo'

2010-08-31T13:19:00.002-06:00

Thursday September 2nd at 2:00 in the afternoon we will welcome Mr. Michael Dana Kennedy, author of The Flowers of Edo, for a book signing. Having been born in the wake of World War II, Mr. Kennedy had a great enthusiasm for world history. His interests would earn him degrees in history and political science from Harvard University. After spending two years at Tufts University School of Medicine, a career in clinical research, a stint at M.I.T. with a focus on computer science and the founding and selling of two medical technology companies, he turned his attention to research for his book.

The Flowers of Edo follows the life of a young Japanese-American man during the Pacific War. Kenji Kobayashi, the main character, volunteers to serve as a translator in the U.S. military while his family lives in a Japanese-American internment camp. He is then sent to the heart of the Japanese Imperial Defense Force as an intelligence officer for the Allied Forces before the proposed invasion of the Japanese homeland. His hope through his mission is to greatly reduce projected casualty numbers in what would most likely have been a long grueling battle for both the Japanese and the Allied Forces. This is the first book of a proposed trilogy that will introduce the reader to a man determined to save his family, country and his heritage.

What sets this book apart from other Pacific War historical novels is his dedication to accuracy in the depiction of the Japanese people and culture. He lived in Japan for six months conducting research. Not only did he win the respect of many who had been in Japan at the time of the Pacific War but he presented his findings to members of Japan’s Ministry of Defense at their headquarters and was presented with a set of daishō swords for his research.

“The author’s detailed research gives authenticity to the narrative, making the story very believable indeed. Should be enjoyed by younger generations as well as those of us who lived through the Pacific War.”

-Linda Goetz Holmes, Pacific War Historian and author of Under the Rising Sun

“An excellent book! The Flowers of Edo is a gripping historical novel focused on the final months of WWII, with an authentic Japanese setting and an intriguing plot. Both entertaining and educational-a delightful adventure and experience!”

-Admiral James R. Hogg, U.S. Navy (Retired) Commander Seventh Fleet (1983-85)

“The struggle of a soldier’s courage and loyalty to country is at the core of Michael Dana Kennedy’s debut novel. The Flowers of Edo embraces not only the significant historical context but the rich cultural intricacies like few historical novels.”

-James Bradley, New York Times best selling author of Flags of our Fathers

The book signing will be in the West Exhibit Hall of the George H.W. Bush Gallery. The event is free of charge but regular admission fees are still required to go through the museum.

Rescuing General Wainwright

2010-08-26T10:07:00.002-06:00

After General Wainwright surrendered the troops on Corregidor, the men were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese. A gaunt General Wainwright was then present at the signing of the Instrument of Surrender on the USS Missouri. Here is the abbreviated story of his rescue by a man named Hal Leith, a member of the OSS sent on a special mission to rescue POWs after the war’s end. They did encounter a hiccup early on in the mission; some of the Japanese troops they encountered were unaware that the war had ended.

Hal Leith was assigned to the OSS early in his Army career, mainly because of his proficiency in several languages and the ease with which he learned them. After the six man rescue team parachuted into Manchuria, four of them were met by a Japanese patrol that had no knowledge of the war ending. After being blindfolded and taken to the Kempeitai headquarters, they were released and received help from the Japanese in carrying out their mission to rescue POWs. After finding out that General Wainwright was not at Mukden POW camp, which was also freed by the rescue team, arrangements were made to get Leith and another member of the rescue team, Major Lamar, to Hsian, 150 miles away where he and others were being held.

Shortly after their arrival at the camp in Hsian, they met with and freed Generals Wainwright, King and Moore along with other notables from Great Britain and other allied countries. Major Lamar returned to Mukden for official orders while Leith stayed with the freed prisoners in Hsian. After a few days, Leith began the journey back to Mukden with the freed POWs. It was during this journey that General Wainwright made Leith his “aide de camp.” At the time of the jump, Leith had been promoted to Staff Sergeant but was unaware of that and thought he was still a corporal. General Wainwright complimented Leith by saying he had “done the job as well as any Major could have done.”

There is much more to this story and Hal Leith will be at the symposium to tell his account of this little known but remarkable piece of history. He will be speaking the morning of Saturday September 18, and there is still time to get tickets. Go to www.PacificWarMuseum.org and follow the link for the 2010 Symposium. Also, stay tuned for more blogs about presenters at this year’s program.

Turning Point: Guadalcanal

2010-08-17T10:55:00.003-06:00

If you saw the first part of HBO's 'The Pacific,' that was Guadalcanal. One of the toughest battles of the Pacific War. The United States and the Allies were to stop the Japanese advance in the Solomon Islands in order to maintain communications between the U.S. and Australia. U.S. troops were intially met with no enemy fire and the airfield that was being constructed near Lunga Point was quickly captured and re-named Henderson Field after a Marine pilot killed at Midway.

One of the keys to the Battle of Guadalcanal was reinforcement. Both sides were forced to find ways to find ways to build up troops on the island and keep them resupplied. The Japanese began what Allied forces called the "Tokyo Express," a system of night deliveries of troops and supplies from Rabaul to Guadalcanal and other Solomon Islands. After six months of heavy battle, seven naval battles, the loss of 25 U.S. ships, 615 U.S. aircraft and over 6,000 U.S. troops, the Japanese advance had been stopped and the tide of war had turned in the favor of the Allies.

There is so much more to this battle, come see the Guadalcanal exhibit in the new George H.W. Bush Gallery. There is an oral history kiosk where you can listen to six men tell their stories. There is also a map table that will take you through the entire battle with photos and full color animated maps, an FM-2 "Wildcat," pictured above, and more.

War Termination Symposium

2010-08-12T17:07:00.002-06:00

This September 18 and 19, the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation will host a selection of renowned historians and veterans for the 2010 Symposium. This year we will be discussing the ending of wars, beginning with an overview of how U.S. wars ended up to WWI. We will continue the first day with the ending of WWII in Europe and in the Pacific, followed by a keynote address from General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret). Saturday's program will conclude with a session on the Korean War Armistice. We will end between 2:30 and 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday so that our attendees will have a chance to tour the museum.

Sunday, we will reconvene for discussions on the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the Dayton Paris Agreement and the Bosnian War as well as the cease fire of the first Gulf War. To bring the program to an end, H.W. Brands, the Dickson Allen Anderson Centennial Professor of History at the University of Texas, will give a lessons learned synopsis of the two days.

Some of our other presenters include WWII historian Richard Frank, Michael Pearlman, Allan Millett and others. As we get closer to the event, our historians will be spotlighted in our blog. It truly is an all-star cast this year.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this event, visit www.PacificWarMuseum.org and follow the link on the homepage. You can also read about past symposia there and see clips from last year's event. Students always get free admission, it is necessary to register but we see this as a great learning experience for any and all students. Saint Edward's University in Austin offers continuing education credits for those who are interested for only ten dollars.

I can't tell you enough good things about this program. Actually, it is how I came to work here at the museum. When I was in high school, I came to the 'Pacific D-Days' symposium and was so captivated by what I saw that I remained a fan of the museum through college and now am proud to say that the annual symposium is one of my favorite parts of my job!

"Fat Man" and "Little Boy"

2010-08-05T11:00:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow, August 6, will mark the 65^th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. To this day, this is one of the most controversial topics in American history. Richard B. Frank says in his book Downfall, “The actual total of deaths due to the atomic bombs will never be known. The best approximation is that the number is huge and falls between 100,000 and 200,000.” Beginning in the summer of 1944, American B-29’s began firebombing raids over the Japanese homeland. The most up-to-date numbers place the number of people lost in fire-bombing missions over Japan at over 300,000.

The next step after Okinawa was to invade the Japanese homeland. Expected casualty figures were very high for both the United States and Japan., especially because of a massive Japanese mobilization of civilians, including women and children, in anticipation of the invasion. During an interview, Paul Tibbets, pilot of the Enola Gay, said, “I knew we did the right thing because when I knew we’d be doing that I thought, yes, we’re going to kill a lot of people, but by God we’re going to save a lot of lives. We won’t have to invade [Japan].” Japan announced its surrender on August 15, six days after the dropping of the second atomic bomb, “Fat Man,” and no Japanese homeland invasion was necessary.

Below is a photo of an original bomb casing of a plutonium bomb, in a “Fat Man” type format, like the one that was dropped on Nagasaki. This casing was to be used if the war did not end when it did. Now, it is on display in the atomic bomb gallery of the new George H. W. Bush Gallery.

USS Indianapolis Survivor's Story

2010-08-03T09:30:00.004-06:00

The USS Indianapolis transported the critical components of “Little Boy,” the Hiroshima atomic bomb to Tinian in July of 1945. Because of the top secret nature of the material on board, she was traveling on radio silence and without radar. After unloading her cargo and re-supplying at Guam, she steamed towards Leyte for gunnery exercises. At 12:14 AM on 30 July she was hit by torpedoes launched from Japanese submarine, I-58. She sank in 12 minutes. Over 300 men went down with the ship and the others, close to 900 men, were stuck in shark infested waters with no life boats and very little food and water. Four days later, survivors were spotted by a PV-1 Ventura on routine patrol. There were only 317 survivors. L.D. Cox is one of those survivors, below are excerpts from his oral history beginning with the third day of floating in the water after his ship was sunk.

"…Then everything got quiet and some would swim out and away from the group and never come back. You’d see sharks. Then it was so hot in the day you’d pray for night and whenever it came your teeth would actually chatter it was so cold, oh, it was cold. And then you’d pray for daylight and then here comes daylight. After about two days or so you’re not hungry anymore, I wasn’t, but you were thirsty. Oh, you never lost your thirst. On the second day I had a potato, an Irish potato floated by, and I picked it up and started to eat and I happened to think reckon it is soaked in salt water and I threw it away. I should have eaten it but I was very, very nervous about it.

…Every hour we thought there would be some airplanes or some ship to pick us up. We figured if we didn’t show up after a couple of days, they would come out and look. Nothing ever came and we just went night and day, night and day, and finally about the fourth day, you know, you were weak, your life preserver that’s supposed to last 72 hours had lasted 106, your nose is just barely out of water ‘cause that life preserver was water logged. You just barely could stay, at the start you could put your head back and if the sea was calm, you could get a little nap. Then whenever your preserver got water logged, every time you dropped your head, you strangled.

…Before we were picked up, I might add, less than three feet from me a shark came up and grabbed the sailor [next to me] and covered me with water, the tail of the shark did, engulfed me with water and he took the sailor down and I never saw him anymore. That’s how near, why he took him and not me, you wonder."

Tinian Photos

2010-07-27T09:25:00.004-06:00

Amphibious tractors and landing boats leave streaming white wakes as they scurry back and forth hauling Marines from assault vessels to the Tinian beachhead.

Making certain that their rifles are kept dry, this wave of Marine assault troops disembarks from landing craft and wade through waist-deep surf to join their comrades on the Tinian beachhead.

A jeep is unloaded from an amphibious duck at Tinian. Marines use a portable crane for unloading the amphibious vehicles during landing operations.

Amphibious landing craft bring Marines and artillery ashore during the second day of the assault on Tinian. Ducks (amphibious trucks) carry the artillery inland to their positions and shortly after, Marine gunners were hurling shells at the enemy.

When this Marine was wounded while on a patrol in the interior of Tinian, his buddies helped him back to an aid station near the American lines.

All of the above photos were taken on Tinian by Norm Hatch. They are part of the museum's collection.

You Search, They Donate, We Benefit

2010-07-22T09:24:00.002-06:00

Sounds too easy, right? Thanks to a company called GoodSearch, every time you do an internet search, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation receives a donation. Go to www.GoodSearch.com, type Admiral Nimitz Foundation where it asks who you GoodSearch for and start searching! The donation comes out to be about one penny per search, but that can add up. If we have 500 supporters doing 5 searches a day, that adds up to over $9,000 in a year. Now it just sounds too good to be true, right? Over 91,000 non-profits can’t be wrong. The ASPCA alone has earned $34,000 through GoodSearch.

If you are an online shopper, there’s even more you can do to help out the museum. GoodShop.com is an online shopping mall with hundreds of great stores that all donate a percentage of your purchase back to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. All stores have different donation percentages but just think, if you make that next online purchase through GoodShop, you’ll be getting your new merchandise and the store you shopped through will be making a donation to a good cause.

And the best part is that GoodSearch is the one doing the donating, all the supporter is doing is asking that the donation be made to the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Either make GoodSearch your homepage or download the GoodSearch – Admiral Nimitz Foundation toolbar to your computer at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/admiral-nimitz-foundation so it is always at your fingertips. Thanks in advance for showing your support through your standard internet use!

Note: If you want to know more about how it works, who is involved, where the money comes from, etc., go to www.GoodSearch.com. Their website is very informative and easy to navigate.

Japanese Midget Submarine

2010-07-20T10:10:00.002-06:00

The National Museum of the Pacific War is fortunate to house one of five Japanese midget submarines intended for use during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After developing problems with her gyrocompass, Ha-19 was forced to make a visual entrance to the harbor and later ran aground on a coral reef off of Bellows Field on Waimanolo Beach. Her batteries were drained attempting to back off the reef and the two crewmen evacuated. Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki, who was piloting the submarine that morning, was captured becoming the first prisoner of war. In 1991, Sakamaki came to the museum as a symposium participant, where he was reunited with former Army Lieutenant, Steve Weiner, who was among his interrogators following his capture. This was his first public appearance related to his war service.

The exhibit panel near the submarine’s viewing windows reads as follows:

“Ha-19 was one of the five Japanese midget submarines used in the attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. The next day, the damaged vessel washed ashore. The War Finance Committee soon put it to use to promote the sale of War Bonds. From 1942 to 1945, Ha-19 toured the United States, including a visit to Fredericksburg in 1943.

Windows were cut into the starboard hull of Ha-19 for public viewing of the interior. Dummy equipment, including sheet metal cones to simulate torpedo warheads, and two mannequins dressed as Imperial Japanese Navy crewmen were installed.

Eight War Bond drives raised a total of $185.7 billion, roughly half the cost of the war.”

395th Army Reserve Band Comes to Fredericksburg

2010-07-13T11:08:00.001-06:00

There’s no better way to spend a summer Sunday evening than listening to good music outside while having a picnic! The National Museum of the Pacific War is hosting a free concert by the 395^th Army Reserve Band on Sunday July 18 at 6:00 in the evening where you can do just that.

We invite you all to bring your friends, family, blankets and a picnic out to the Memorial Courtyard for a set of German music followed by the Concert Band’s patriotic and big band tunes. We were fortunate enough to host this band last year, their performance was crowd-pleasing to say the least. The 395^th plays free shows throughout the southwest in hopes to entertain as well as carry the message of patriotism and serve as the Army Reserve Ambassadors. We hope you’ll join us for this event!

Kids in WWII

2010-07-08T11:09:00.002-06:00

The following story is taken from Ellice Smart from New York. She was seven years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

I had rheumatic Fever as a child and had to stay on my back all day. My father was a graduate of the Naval Academy and re-entered the service shortly before the war started and was sent to Norfolk, VA. My illness made the move rather difficult but soon after we got there, I was healthy enough to walk again.

My father was sent to Trinidad and he and my mother wrote to each other every day. They numbered their letters to make sure that every one made it.

During the winter we would sled down the hill across from our house until our mittens were too wet, then we would come home and set them on the radiator to dry and pick up our other pair to go back out.

I remember coffee being rationed, it was very precious to my mother. My uncle was a Seabee and when he came to visit we had a special dinner with nice little blue containers for each person's salt. My uncle thought it was sugar and dumped it into his coffee. He was very distressed and insisted that he not have any more but my mother gave him another cup anyway.

Dad was coming home for a brief time and mom told him to take a taxi from the airport; she was worried she would be too excited to drive. Right as he was supposed to get there, I ripped the hem from my dress. I had to stand in front of the couch looking for him out the window while Mom hemmed it, she told me she would get as much done as she could before he got there and then she would just end off her stitch and leave it. He got to the house while she was still hemming; I don’t remember how much was finished.

Dad came home after the war ended in Europe. He returned while my brother and I were at camp. My parents picked us up early and we started our next move, to California. From there, my dad was transferred out to the Philippines but the war with the Japanese ended while he was on his way over. He came home that fall.

Battle of Saipan

2010-07-01T12:14:00.008-06:00

The Battle of Saipan took place between 15 June and 9 July 1944. The following are photos of the Battle of Saipan from the museum’s collection.

Clambering down a loading net, Marines leave a troop transport to board landing craft bound for the Saipan beachhead.

The first wave of Marines to hit the Saipan beach take cover behind a sand dune while waiting for supporting waves to land and start the drive inland.

When the Marines hit the beach at Saipan, many ammunition cases were broken open in the ensuing action and their contents scattered on the beach. These Leathernecks are salvaging belts and cartridges of thirty and fifty caliber sizes.

Two Marines run for cover after setting off a charge of high explosives in a Japanese dugout position during mopping up operations on Saipan.

Marine corporal Doris E. Bankhead of Roscoe, Texas, proudly displays a Japanese light machine gun that he found intact on Saipan.

Saipan souvenirs have been the best yet and these Marines boast the largest Japanese flag in captivity, 11 feet wide by 17 feet long, discovered when they took refuge in a Japanese garrison barracks during an artillery barrage at Tanapag Harbor.

Marines and Navy corpsmen give first aid to a Japanese girl who suffered a slight leg wound during the battle of Saipan.

Marine First Sergeant Neil I. Shober of Fort Wayne, Indiana, shares the spoils of war bananas with a native goat, one of the few survivors of the terrific naval and air bombardment in support of the Marines hitting the beach on the Japanese-mandated island of Saipan.

Marines found the body of Lieutenant General Yoshige Saito in a cave above Tanapag on Saipan and gave him a funeral with full military honors in accordance with Geneva Convention code. Here, Leathernecks prepare to lower the flag-draped coffin into its resting place.

Fredericksburg Celebrates the 4th of July!

2010-06-29T09:01:00.003-06:00

The days are long and the peaches are sweet and juicy. It's summer in Fredericksburg and next Sunday is one of the town's favorite holidays. July 4th! There is guaranteed to be all sorts of fun throughout the weekend.

On the 3rd and 4th, the National Museum of the Pacific War will present its Living History Program. With the help of objects from the museum's education collection, re-enactors will show the audience the weapons and tactics that won WWII. Showtimes on the 3rd are 10:30, 1:00 and 3:30. Sunday the 4th, shows will be at 10:30, 3:30 and 6:00. Tickets are available for purchase at the event. The Annual 4th of July Parade will be at 1:00 this year on Main Street. There are always patriotic floats from all parts of the community, along with a few fun surprises. This year's Grand Marshals will all be Vietnam veterans. After the parade, there will be a program at Marktplatz and don't forget fireworks that evening. At 7:00, at Ladybird Johnson Park, there will be a concert and fireworks start at 9:30. This is only what the city and museum are sponsoring, there is sure to be more in and around town.

Put on your red, white and blue and come to Fredericksburg to celebrate the United States' 234th birthday!

Temporary Photo Exhibit Opening Friday

2010-06-24T09:19:00.000-06:00

Roger Moore, Photographer’s Mate Second Class in the U. S. Navy during WWII was stationed in the interior of China in 1944. As a member of the Navy unit SACO (Sino American Cooperative Organization), he was working to set up weather stations throughout the interior of China to make weather predictions for the US Pacific Fleet and her allies. At the conclusion of the war, in 1945, Moore and other remaining US troops were taken to the coastal cities of China to take over after the Japanese were removed. Moore was assigned to Shanghai where he was surprised by what he saw. Because of the 10 year occupation by the Japanese, he was expecting a discouraged and oppressed people but was quite amazed when he found an overall positive attitude in the city. Through his collection of photos, which will be on display in the West Exhibit Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War, visitors will see the same determination and hope in these people that Roger Moore connected with 65 years ago.

The Japanese occupation of China is without a doubt a very dark aspect of WWII history. However, these photos show the strength and will to survive of the Chinese people. It is truly a moving set of work.

There will be a ribbon-cutting at 1:30 on Friday, June 25. All are welcome at the event at no charge; regular admission is still required to visit the entire museum. The photos will be on exhibit through December of this year.

For a copy of the press release on the exhibit, go to http://www.nimitz-museum.org/pdf/Photo_Exhibit.pdf

For more on Roger Moore, visit http://www.rogermoorephotographer.com/index.htm

Living History

2010-06-17T09:09:00.004-06:00

A Pacific Island assault in the middle of Fredericksburg, Texas? Yes!

An all volunteer group of men and women, under the direction of Marvin Schroeder, get together during select weekends and put on an educational and entertaining show. The show begins with information about and the firing of the weapons used by both the US and Japanese military. After the audience has been well informed about how both sides are armed, the tanks roll in for an island invasion on our beachhead at the Pacific Combat Zone. Rather than try to explain the excitement that ensues during the program, there are some teaser pictures and a calendar of remaining 2010 shows posted below.

Shows are held at the Pacific Combat Zone, 2 ½ blocks from the National Museum of the Pacific War. Tickets are sold at the gate and are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

June 19&20 • July 3&4 • September 4&5 • October 2&3 • November 13&14

Turning Point: Midway

2010-06-15T10:42:00.004-06:00

The National Museum of the Pacific War has a great exhibit on the Battle of Midway, a decisive American victory over the Japanese that turned the tide of the war in the Pacific. On display, there are artifacts from Lieutenant Commander Thomas H. Dyer’s desk, one of the men responsible for breaking the Japanese code, JN-25. There is also video footage of the battle accompanied by commentaries from Jonathan Parshall, co-author of Shattered Sword: the Untold Story of the Battle of Midway and Rear Admiral Donald “Mac” Showers, an intelligence officer on Fleet Admiral Nimitz’ staff.

The battle lasted from June 4 to June 7, 1942. Through the successful code breaking efforts of Commander Joseph J. Rochefort and his staff, Japanese plans of seizing Midway Island were crumbled. The text panel in the exhibit reads, “Lieutenant Commander Joseph J. Rochefort’s code breaking team at Pearl Harbor had to be certain of the target of the Central Pacific Operation, identified as “AF.”

A simple rule was devised. Midway was instructed to send an uncoded message that fresh water was running low. When the Japanese Navy passed the information on, in its JN-25 code, Rochefort and Layton were certain that “AF” meant Midway.”

To find out more about this significant moment of strategic surprise, spend some time in the Midway gallery listening to the accounts of some of the men involved as well as one of the top historians on the topic.

Flag Day

2010-06-11T11:13:00.002-06:00

Come out to the Plaza of Presidents at the National Museum of the Pacific War at 11:30 Monday morning to celebrate Flag Day! Flag Day is an opportunity to honor those who serve as well as those who have served, the United States and the American flag – a symbol of our great nation.

The Fredericksburg High School NJROTC will place around 10,000 small flags in the courtyard and around the site to help all of our visitors remember. These flags have all been donated as a ‘thank you’ either to a serviceman or woman or to this country. At 11:30 we will have a program discussing flag etiquette and history of the flag. Immediately following and in compliance with respecting the flag, we will have a disposal ceremony. The American Legion’s Let’s be Right on Flag Etiquette states, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Tattered and worn flags that have been donated throughout the year will be disposed of by Boy Scout Troop 137 of Fredericksburg. After all flags have been burned, the ashes will be buried in a flowerbed on site.

We invite you to join us for this event. There is no charge to attend.

Golf Tournament a Success

2010-06-08T10:23:00.003-06:00

The 1st Annual Nimitz Golf Classic was a huge success! We had a full field of 136 golfers, great weather, three excellent food stations and a fun surprise on the twelfth hole of the beautiful Boot Ranch Golf Course. Each player was given the chance to shoot clay pigeons, for each hit one stroke was taken off of the team's final score. That's a chance to have eight points deducted from a team's score!

A flyover of three WWII training planes and one WWII Torpedo bomber kicked off the morning, followed by tank-gun start. WWII jeeps carried golfers from their cars to registration and team photos were taken in front of the tank. The evening ended with dinner, a live auction and a dance with music by the Sheila Marshall Band.

Congratulations to the winning teams -The Black Sheep Squadron, Tarawa and USS Enterprise! All winning teams had Wounded Warriors on them!

More photos from the event will be posted on Facebook soon!

Remembering America's Heroes

2010-06-03T09:03:00.008-06:00

The Memorial Day Celebration held at the National Museum of the Pacific War made the front page of both the Fredericksburg and Kerrville newspapers.

An audience of around 800 men, women and children enjoyed welcoming remarks by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and a Keynote Speech by Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a retired Marine who served in Vietnam. Program Director, Helen McDonald, recognized the veterans in attendance, specially recognizing the oldest veteran, Raymond Christensen from Watertown, SD, who was born in 1917! The program concluded with a rifle salute and Echo Taps. Wreaths were laid in honor of multiple ships and individuals. The sense of pride for this great country and those men and women who have served for the freedoms that Americans enjoy was absolutely astounding.

The photo on the front page of the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post is especially meaningful to those members of our community. Senator Hutchison, Land Commissioner Patterson and Mrs. Lorna Eckhardt laid a wreath for all of those lives that have been lost in the current War on Terrorism. Mrs. Eckhardt is the mother of Staff Sergeant Christopher Staats, a Fredericksburg local who was killed in Afghanistan in October of 2009.

The Kerrville Daily Times front page photo is of veterans standing to be recognized. They are asked to stand by military branch during the playing of the different military songs. Then, later in the program they are asked to stand based on the year they were born, the last person standing is recognized as our oldest audience member.

We are proud to have had such a good turnout. Put us on your calendar for the place to celebrate Memorial Day next year!

Both photos are credited to their respective newspapers.

America's White Table

2010-05-27T09:41:00.006-06:00

During patriotic holidays, including Memorial Day, a model of America’s White Table will be set up to honor those men and women who serve(d) in the United States’ Armed Forces. The tradition of placing the table began with a group of Vietnam fighter pilots but has now extended to honor all of those serving this country all around the world. Margot Theis Raven, author of the children’s book, America’s White Table said, “The point is every single day of freedom is brought to you by that person who is not sitting there.”

The small table signifies one lone serviceman’s battle against many. The white cloth honors our comrade’s pure heart for answering his country’s call to duty. The lemon slice and grains of salt represent the captive serviceman’s bitter fate and the tears of his family awaiting his return. A black napkin is placed for the sorrow of captivity. The glass is upside down for the meal that won’t be eaten. The white candle and the red rose represent peace and hope for the serviceman’s return. The empty chair at the table is for the missing serviceman.

“You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains.”

Monday is Memorial Day. If you are going to be around the Fredericksburg area, join us at 10:00 in the Memorial Courtyard for a Memorial Day Program. The program is free for all who wish to attend.

A Little Way to Say Thank You

2010-05-25T10:43:00.003-06:00

The National Museum of the Pacific War and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation are proud to be part of a nationwide effort to honor and support today’s active duty Military including active duty Reserves and active duty National Guard. Blue Star Museums is a National Endowment for the Arts program that includes over 600 museums from all fifty states offering free admission to active duty personnel and up to five immediate family members. Free admission will begin on Memorial Day, May 31st, and last through Labor Day, September 6th. Free admission will get those who qualify into our entire site which includes the National Museum of the Pacific War, the Nimitz Museum, the Pacific Combat Zone and more free of charge. It does not include admission to the Living History Program - a special event that will be held the weekends of June 19th and 20th, July 3rd and 4th and September 4th and 5th. Those tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and are sold in advance at the Nimitz Museum and Bush Gallery front desks, as well as at the Pacific Combat Zone the day of the event.

The men and women of today’s military, along with their families, sacrifice so much for their country and the American people. It is our hope that this will be taken as a small thank you to those who put their lives in harm’s way day after day for our freedom. We invite all active duty military personnel and their families to come spend a day or two at our museum, on us.

For questions about identification requirements, a list off all participating museums or any other questions about the program, visit: www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index.php

Thank you for all that you do and we hope to see you this summer!

Booksignings

2010-05-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

Every so often, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the National Museum of the Pacific War host authors of WWII books for author’s forms and booksignings. These events are always free to the public and books are available for purchase on site. They serve as a way for authors to promote their work as well as a way to keep people informed on the newest scholarship and literature dealing with WWII in the Pacific.

Recently we hosted Hugh Ambrose who talked about and signed his book, The Pacific, the companion to the HBO series. His book follows very closely the lives of five veterans who were there in the Pacific, “…instead of layering some oral histories onto a historical framework, I follow the lives of five veterans who, between them, experienced most of the key moments of the war,” wrote Ambrose. ‘The Pacific’ takes you from the beginning to end of the Pacific theater of WWII through the eyes of five men.

Just this last Saturday, John D. Lukacs was here discussing and signing his book, Escape from Davao. He dives into the untold story of ten American men, being held as POWs by the Japanese, making an escape from Davao Penal Colony in the Philippines. These men had all survived the Bataan Death March and were being held with Filipino criminals in what the Japanese thought was an inescapable facility. With the help of two Filipino inmates the escape was a success but the battle to tell their story would not end until long after they returned home after their daring getaway.

The afternoon of Memorial Day, May 31, at 2:00, author Bruce Gamble will be here with his new book, Fortress Rabaul. Rabaul was the headquarters for the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Southwest Pacific as well as the target for hundreds of missions by the American air forces. The island’s history from January 1942 to April 1943 is covered in Gamble’s latest book. The book has gotten great editorial reviews and we are really looking forward to having yet another exceptional writer to add to the list.

To stay updated on which authors are visiting the museum, check the website at www.PacificWarMuseum.org or become a fan of the National Museum of the Pacific War on Facebook. Also, the authors sign all remaining copies of their book we have on site and they are available for sale while supplies last at both the Bush Gallery Museum Store and the Nimitz Bookstore.

Thanks!

2010-05-18T09:30:00.003-06:00

We have been getting some great comments from people since the opening of the newly remodeled George H. W. Bush Gallery. We’d like to share a few of them with our readers and fans.

Absolutely wonderful & well done! What an excellent exhibit!

-L. W., Ontario

Wonderful. Will be talking to my brothers about sponsoring a plaque for our father who was on the USS OAKLAND on Okinawa. My grandfather was a mechanic with the AVG.

-G.R., Lodi, CA

Thank you for keeping history alive for the younger ones to experience and know the awful things of war and the freedom that we enjoy because of it.

-K.N., New York

Stunning architectural and exhibit design – very moving.

-B. D., Atlanta, GA

This is a fantastic museum. A fantastic tribute to the men and women who served and died in the Pacific War. Thank you for providing this museum for our children – may they never forget the terrible price paid for our freedom.

-Larry, Capt. USN (Ret)

Fantastic! I was h ere four years ago and what is now here is great!

-J. S., US Army (Ret)

Wish we could have stayed longer to read and see it all – was wonderful!

-J. L., Crest Hill, IL

What a Pleasure! My compliments to all the staff!

-H.A., Montana

Really enjoyed my visit yesterday! Wow what a GREAT job putting everything together and the video displays and flat screens were excellent!! The initial Japan/China history gave an insight I have never seen before. What a treasure to be proud of!!

-E. F., Facebook

And, we have also been listening to the concerns that have been voiced. We are currently in the process of making much more seating available throughout the exhibit.

Thank you all so much for your positive remarks! If you haven’t been to the newly re-modeled museum yet, come check it out. If you have been here, let us know what you think!!

Armed Forces Day

2010-05-13T08:56:00.004-06:00

“This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces… to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces day won’t be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty.” From a New York Times article published May 17, 1952.

Armed Forces Day was officially declared on August 31, 1949 by Secretary of Defense, Louis Johnson and first celebrated on May 20, 1950. The day was created after the unification of all branches of the Armed Forces under one department – the Department of Defense. The Army, Navy and Air Force Leagues adopted the newly formed day in lieu of their own; the Marine Corps League chose not to drop their own day but agreed to support Armed Forces Day as well.

Armed Forces Day is always celebrated on the third Saturday in May, May 15 this year – the theme will be “United in Strength.”

There are many ways to honor the Armed Forces on this special day. Many military bases across the country host ‘open house’ events. Some local and area VFW posts will offer picnics for veterans and their families. And other sites will offer musical and other types of events in honor of those men and women who serve their country. For information on what is going on in you area, check your local paper or contact the Public Information Office at the closest military installation. If you’re going to be around the Fredericksburg area, we will be hosting an Author’s Forum and Book-signing. Mr. John D. Lukacs will be discussing and signing his book, Escape from Davao: The Forgotten Story of the Most Daring Prison Break of the Pacific War” at 1:30 in the West Exhibit Gallery of the George Bush Gallery.

In the words of Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, “Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man.”

Letters to Veterans

2010-05-11T10:13:00.002-06:00

I just recently collected the letters to BAMC veterans that have been written by museum visitors. I am happy to say that once again, all of them were very gracious, sincere and heartfelt. Here is an example of one that was written not long ago.

Dear Sailor,

Thank you.

I don’t say it enough to the ones I know.

Thanks for committing, which is something I have trouble doing.

Thanks for sacrificing, something I’m scared to do.

Thanks for caring enough to enlist in the first place.

You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but I wish I did.

I’ll write again.

Joanna

Many of these men and women are away from their families and through this simple program; we are hoping to give them a ray of light in their day.

To all veterans of all wars, thank you!!

Mother's Day

2010-05-06T09:45:00.008-06:00

Mother’s Day is Sunday - don’t forget. Be creative. Sure flowers and a card are a nice gift, but give her something she’s not expecting this year.

The Bush Gallery Museum Store, the Nimitz Bookstore and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation Online Museum Store have some great ideas. Here are just a few:

For the patriotic mom – the first lady of your family.

Fine crystal and enamel set in gold tone jewelry lets your mom show her patriotism in style. Pictured above are only a few of the pieces available. There are more styles of pins and earrings available in-store and on-line.

Metal water bottles are all the rage right now. They’re reusable and lightweight. These aluminum water bottles come with two lids, one for sipping and one for stopping. They also come with a handy carabiner clip so you can attach it to your pack while enjoying the outdoors. Pair it with the Rosie the Riveter lunchbox and you’ve got a sharp and eco-friendly set for the working mom. Both items include a color image of the “We Can Do It!” poster and the lunchbox includes six other “Women on the Home Front” poster images from WWII.

Check out the website at http://www.nimitz-museum.org/MuseumStore.asp for more ideas. If you’re in the Fredericksburg area, visit one of the stores and see what we’ve got to offer. Show your mom you care with something memorable this year.

Plaza of Presidents

2010-05-04T08:33:00.004-06:00

Between the George H. W. Bush Gallery and the Memorial Courtyard, is the Plaza of Presidents. All ten presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George H. W. Bush served the United States either militarily or as Commander-in-Chief during the four years of the United States’ involvement in World War II.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

United States Commander-in-Chief, 1941-1945

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Long will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt – 32^nd President of the United States – 1933-1945

Harry S. Truman

United States Commander-in-Chief, 1945

“We must work to bind up the wounds of a suffering world – to build an abiding peace, a peace rooted in justice and in law.”

Harry S. Truman – 33^rd President of the United States – 1945-1953

Dwight D. Eisenhower

General of the Army, United States Army

Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, 1943-1945

“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower – 34^th President of the United States – 1953-1961

John F. Kennedy

Lieutenant, United States Navy Reserve

Service in the Pacific, 1943

“…the courage of a man who does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures, is the basis of all human morality.”

John F. Kennedy – 35^th President of the United States – 1961-1963

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy Reserve

Service in the Pacific, 1942

“President Roosevelt wanted his own eyes and ears in the filed. I was the Navy Officer picked to go.”

Lyndon B. Johnson – 36^th President of the United States – 1963-1969

Richard M. Nixon

Lieutenant, United States Navy Reserve

Service in the Pacific, 1943-1944

“Our people have always done their best work when the odds were the greatest.”

Richard M. Nixon – 37^th President of the United States – 1969-1974

Gerald R. Ford

Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy Reserve

Service in the Pacific, 1943-1944

“Before the war, I was a typical Midwest isolationist. I returned understanding we could never be isolated again.”

Gerald R. Ford – 38^th President of the United States – 1974-1977

James E. Carter, Jr.

Midshipman, United States Navy

United States Naval Academy, 1943-1946

“No one ever thought the Japanese would surrender, so there seemed to be no alternative to a massive invasion.”

James E. Carter, Jr. - 39^th President of the United States – 1977-1981

Ronald Reagan

Captain, United States Army Reserve

Army Air Force Intelligence, 1942-1945

“Most of the men who never experienced combat had an almost reverent feeling for the men who did face the enemy.”

Ronald Reagan – 40^th President of the United States – 1981-1989

George H. W. Bush

Lieutenant (j.g.), United States Navy Reserve

Service in the Pacific, 1943-1946

“I have often wondered why me, why was I spared when the others died. I’ll never know the answer to that question; but I do know that terrifying experience helped me to become a man.”

George H. W. Bush – 41^st President of the United States – 1989-1993

For virtual tours of the Plaza of Presidents and other places to see on our site, follow this link: http://www.nimitz-museum.org/virtualtours/highlites/tourfiles/flash/index_fs.html

USS Pintado Serves as a Memorial to those in WWII’s Submarine Service

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It is to the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine personnel that they never failed us in our great days of peril.
-Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

When visiting the National Museum of the Pacific War, it would be impossible to miss the submarine surfacing in front of the newly renovated building. Yes, Fredericksburg is land-locked but the fairwater of the USS Pintado (SS-387) has been architecturally placed to appear as if it is emerging from below. The Submarine Memorial truly is a sight to be seen.

On December 6, 2009 – one day before the Grand Opening of the new George H. W. Bush Gallery – the Submarine Memorial was dedicated in honor of the Submarine Service of WWII and in memory of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation’s late Executive Director, Rear Admiral Charles D. Grojean, USN.

The Dedication Plaque reads:

Dedicated to the Men of the United States Navy’s Submarine Service in World War II, and to the 3,505 officers and enlisted men lost and now on Eternal Patrol. In proportion to their numbers, they extracted the highest price from the enemy of any of our armed forces in the Pacific, and paid the highest price in return.

Established in honor and memory of Rear Admiral Charles D. Grojean, USN. His vision and leadership as Executive Director of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation made possible both this memorial and the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Fifty-two submarines along with 3,505 enlisted men and officers were lost during World War II and are now on Eternal Patrol.

The Presentation Plaque reads:

Pintado made six war patrols in enemy waters, during which she disposed of five naval vessels and ten merchantmen of the Empire of Japan, sunk or otherwise disabled, totaling 132,900 tons of enemy shipping. During her fifth patrol, she rescued all twelve crewmembers of the B-29 “City of Galveston.”

Pintado was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during her first three patrols, the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia with three stars, and five Battle Stars for her Asiatic‐Pacific Theater of War participation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War obtained the Pintado’s fairwater and periscope as loans from the United States Navy, with the assistance of the USS Pintado Association.

Okinawa Photos

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The following are photos from the Battle of Okinawa from the museum's collection.

Narrow Escape (3 May 1945). Photographed at Guam, Army Nurse First Lieutenant Mary Jensen of San Diego, California, looks up through the hole in the concrete and steel deck of the Navy hospital ship Comfort, punctured when a Japanese suicide pilot dive-crashed into the ship off Okinawa with his bomb-laden plane. Nurse Jensen, who had stepped out of the main surgery supply room less than one minute before it was completely demolished by the explosion, is standing three decks below where the crash occurred.

A Son is Buried (11 May 1945). Marine Colonel Francis I. Fenton, kneeling prays at the foot of his son’s grave. Private First Class Mike Fenton was killed in a Japanese counterattack on the road to Shuri. Bereaved friends, officers and men stand reverently by.

My Buddy (12 May 1945). A Marine comforts a brother Leatherneck who broke down and cried after witnessing the death of a buddy on an Okinawa hillside. These First Division Marines participated in the furious drive on Shuri Castle, the enemy fortress two miles east of the capital city of Naha.

Naha Finale (30 May 1945). Perched on the rim of a gaping hole in the wall of a theater in the Ryukyu capital, a Marine rifleman views the result of the American bombardment of Naha. Skeletons of structures are all that remain of the city with a pre-invasion population of 66,000 people.

Midget Warriors (17 June 1945). Marine First Lieutenant Hart H. Spiegal of Topeka, Kansas, makes with the sign language as he tries to strike up a conversation with two tiny Japanese soldiers captured on Okinawa. The boy on the left is “18” while his companion boasts “20” years.

Seeing the Light (21 June 1945). A Marine rifleman signals his companion to hold his fire as a Japanese soldier emerges from a cave on Okinawa. Persuaded by a smoke grenade, the occupants of the hideout surrendered to the Leathernecks, adding to the large bag of prisoners taken during the island campaign.

Strong Hands Uphold the WeakOkinawa photosOkinawa photos (1 April 1945). Three Marines offer their services to an aged native of Okinawa. Two aid the old man while a third carries his possessions as they make their way over the rough road to the safe areas behind the Marine lines. During the first few days of the campaign, the Leathernecks encountered only civilians as they pushed inland.

Abandoned (1 April 1945). As the Marines landed, the Japanese military fled, leaving the aged, the infirm, and the too-small children in the path of the Leathernecks. Marine Corporal Fenwick H. Dunn of Lynn, Massachusetts, shares the candy from his K ration with an aged woman.

Ma and the Kids (1 April 1945). The Marines came on shore on Okinawa in time for the blessed event in this goat family. Marine Private First Class Donald P. Chatterton of St. Paul, Minnesota, was the self-appointed guardian.

Okinawa pho