AMM2c Durell Wade made the ultimate sacrifice manning his battlestation on USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Daily routine put Paul G. Williams in the most protected part of USS West Virginia in the opening moments of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the middle of a surprise aerial attack the USS Monaghan (DD-354) scores the second submarine kill of the war.

Known as a tropical paradise today, for many sailors before December 7, 1941, it was just another port of call during their naval service.

The oldest active military medal in the United States, over 1 million Purple Hearts were awarded during World War II.

In July 1946, the fourth and fifth atomic bombs to explode tore into a fleet of 84 ships anchored at Bikini Atoll in the name of science.

Created by the camera, photographs help tell the story of Marine Photographic Squadron VMD-254.

The first to cross the English Channel on D-Day, minesweepers cleared the way for the invasion of France.

A sailor had a simple request—he just wanted to relax with a few beers after months at sea.

The shamrock is the symbol of Ireland and a recurring theme in The National WWII Museum’s collection.