Our Mission
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
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The History
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The Expansion
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Latest From Around The Museum
Memorial Day: A New Orleans Neighborhood Remembers
On Memorial Day and every day, the name of Richard McCurdy, killed in action during Operation Torch, and other boys like him should be kept alive and their sacrifices and those of their families remembered. They were and are part of a nation, a city, a neighborhood, and a family.
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Midway Before and After
The modern history of Midway atoll includes its commercial uses and post-war reversion of a natural state resulting in its designation as a National Wildlife Refuge.
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Don Hoff, Scouting Squadron 6, USS Enterprise (CV-6)
Hear about Don Hoff’s experiences in the Battle of Midway as a radioman and gunner flying in SBD Dauntless dive-bombers.
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"Swing Heil": Swing Youth, Schlurfs, and others in Nazi Germany
The swing youth in Nazi Germany were teenagers whose love for jazz and affinity for British and American pop culture stood in stark contrast to German nationalism, uniformity, and military regulation.
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WWI & WWII: The Treaty of Versailles and the Failure of Peace
A century ago, leaders of the victorious powers in the First World War tried to convert battlefield success into a lasting peace.
Events & Public Programs
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"Time Will Not Dim the Glory of Their Deeds:" The Cemetery at Omaha Beach and the Commemoration of the D-Day War Dead
Ben Brands, a historian with the American Battle Monuments Commission, will discuss the initial establishment of the cemetery at Omaha Beach, which occurred in the days immediately following D-Day.
The Meaning of D-Day: A Roundtable Discussion
Join us for a roundtable discussion on the significance of D-Day and its legacy.
In Command of Overlord: Strategic and Operational Leadership in the Great Invasion
Join Rob Havers, PhD, President & CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, and our very own Rob Citino, PhD, as they discuss the D-Day landing and Normandy campaign through the modern military lenses lenses of strategy—identifying long-term goals and providing the resources to meet them—and operations—plans to dominate the battlefield, foil the enemy, and win at the lowest cost.
D-Day Live Lesson
Students and families—as we near the 76th anniversary of D-Day, join Michael Arvites and Laura Romero-Ballesteros, both Master Teachers and alumni of the Museum’s Summer Teacher Institute, for a live interactive webinar on Operation Overlord, in which you will analyze the strategic decisions of military planners and how the Allies pulled off the greatest amphibious invasion in history.
Event Recaps
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WWI & WWII: 1918 Influenza Pandemic and Innovation
One of the deadliest moments in world history was the 1918-19 Influenza Pandemic, worsened by the global movements of World War I.
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Ask a Curator: POW Diaries from the European Theater
Join Assistant Director for Curatorial Services Kimberly Guise as she discusses diaries kept by POWs in Europe, especially the "Wartime Logs" provided by the YMCA and distributed by the Red Cross, right into German POW camps.
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The Battle of Attu
The Battle of Attu was the only land battle to be fought on North American soil during World War II.
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Making Memories: Storytelling and Scrapbooking
Stories come in many forms—from the ones we hear at bedtime to listening to our parents tell us about their lives or even through photographs from our past.
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Okinawa: The Battle and Bomb
Just over 75 years ago—on April 1, 1945—American troops invaded the 70-mile long island of Okinawa in the largest amphibious operation of the Pacific War.
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Deceptively Colorful: US Navy Camouflage during World War II
Viewed through the lens of the average camera or motion picture, World War II is often recorded and remembered as a black and white war.
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Get in the Scrap at Home Edition
The National WWII Museum challenges you to make a difference in your home and community!
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Get in the Scrap at Home Edition
The National WWII Museum challenges you to make a difference in your home and community!
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Ask a Curator: The German 88mm Gun
One of the most famous artillery pieces of the Second World War, the German 88mm gun had a well deserved reputation for deadly accuracy and destructive power.
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A Conversation with Holocaust Survivor Peter Somogyi
Join us as Historian Hannah Dailey talks with Peter Somogyi, a survivor of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
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A 75th Anniversary of V-E Day Remembrance with Veteran Jim Baynham
Join Assistant Director of Curatorial Services Kim Guise for a very special discussion with WWII Veteran and former POW Jim Baynham.
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Mission Debrief: World War II
National Air and Space Museum's STEM in 30 program held a live Mission Debrief of their episode World War II: Victory in Europe.
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A Rendezvous with Destiny: FDR and Churchill
Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill had the most complex and historically significant friendship of the 20th century.
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"The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II"
Join historian Katherine Sharp Landdeck, associate professor of history at Texas Woman's University (the home of the WASP archives), for a conversation about the thrilling true story of the daring female aviators who helped the United States win World War II, and then ultimate Allied victory.
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Weapons of Star Wars: A Look at WWII-Era Objects and Weapons That Became Sci-Fi Classics
Join curator Larry Decuers for a look at some objects from the Museum’s collection that may look very familiar to Star Wars fans.
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Drawing with A Curator: Airplanes Edition
Grab your pencils and crayons and draw along with Museum Curator Larry Decuers as he doodles some aircraft from The National WWII Museum's collection.
Oral History Profiles
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Don Hoff, Scouting Squadron 6, USS Enterprise (CV-6)
Hear about Don Hoff’s experiences in the Battle of Midway as a radioman and gunner flying in SBD Dauntless dive-bombers.
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Frank Pomroy, 1st Marine Division
In his oral history interview with the Museum, Frank Pomroy of the 1st Marine Division recalls action on Guadalcanal.
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Rosemary Elfer, Working for Victory
Rosemary Elfer describes working for Higgins Industries on a crew with three other “Rosies” making ailerons for aircraft wings.
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Vernon Baker, 92nd Infantry Division
Medal of Honor recipient 1st Lt. Vernon Baker discusses the details of the valorous action that earned him this recognition.
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Dave Severance, 5th Marine Division, Iwo Jima
Retired Marine Corps Colonel Dave Severance recalls how his company, E Company 28th Marines, patrolled up Mount Suribachi, and how members of his company raised the American flag atop Suribachi on February 23, 1945.
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William Holloman, III, 332nd Fighter Group
William Holloman, III, discusses fighting for a country that viewed him as a second class citizen.
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Richard Candelaria, 479th Fighter Group
In this clip, Richard Candelaria discusses how he and the other P-51 Mustang pilots in his group favored bomber escort missions as they knew they would likely get a chance to engage any German fighters that arrived to attack the bomber formations.
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Lorraine Taix McCaslin, Sister of Louis Taix
Merchant Marine, Louis Taix of New Orleans, Louisiana, was lost at sea when the SS Nicarao was sunk by a German submarine U-751 on the night of May 15, 1942, in the Bahama Islands.
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Roland Chaisson, 1st Infantry Division
In this clip, Roland Chaisson talks about his experiences during the Sicilian Campaign and encounters he had with local civilians and their German occupiers.
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Harlan Twible, USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
After delivering vital parts to the island of Tinian for the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis was struck by two enemy torpedoes on July 29, 1945. The ship sank in twelve minutes.
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Walt Nelson, Torpedo Squadron 2, USS Lexington (CV-2)
In his Museum oral history, Senior Chief Radioman Walter Nelson recounts the Battle of the Coral Sea.
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Fred Hollis, Reaction to Pearl Harbor
In this clip, Fred Hollis describes how he learned about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Walter Broll, The Little Pearl Harbor
Walter Broll was present during the German bombing attack on Bari Harbor in Italy on 2 December 1943.
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John W. “Jack” Vessey, 34th Infantry Division
For Jack Vessey, the march through Rome following that city’s liberation was one of the greatest days of the war.
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Romus V. “R.V.” Burgin, 1st Marine Division
R.V. Burgin and his fellow Marines were dug in on Walt’s Ridge during the Battle of Cape Gloucester.
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George Wichterich, 30th Infantry Division
In this clip, George Wichterich describes his experiences on Hill 314 during the Battle of Mortain in August 1944.
"To The Best of My Ability"
Episode 2 – Death Stand
The war in Europe was over, but fighting raged in the Pacific. “We are only half-through,” Truman declares to the American people. He was right. The Battle of Okinawa (April 1 -- June 22, 1945) was one of the hardest-fought in the history of the US military. Okinawa is a mass of mountains, jungle, and mud, and the battle generated monstrous casualties on both sides: 93,000 Japanese, 12,000 US, and 140,000 Okinawan civilians. Just days into his presidency, Commander-in-Chief Truman was presiding over a bloodbath.
Latest "Service on Celluloid" Podcasts
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Stalag 17
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Minisode To Flags of Our Fathers
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Flags of Our Fathers
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Minisode To Guadalcanal Diary
Trending Topics
Explore The War-
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The National WWII Museum’s 20th Anniversary
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75th Anniversary of the End of World War II
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WWII Medal of Honor Recipients
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European Theater
