Press Release

Pearl Harbor travel package features WWII veterans and historians (2007)

The National World War II Museum creates an unforgettable history travel experience

NEW ORLEANS (November 5, 2007) – As the horror of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor unfolded, PFC Bob Kinzler, U.S. Army, was watching the attack from his vantage point at Schofield Barracks. Radioman 3rd Class Everett Hyland was severely burned and wounded on the battleship USS Pennsylvania. George R. Brown was trapped in the capsized USS Oklahoma after it was hit by more than seven torpedoes. On December 7, 1941, these men were fighting for their lives. Relive that dark day when all of them share their experiences firsthand as part of The National World War II Museum’s newest travel package, Pearl Harbor: America’s Entry into World War II.

This exclusive weeklong adventure begins on February 29, 2008 in San Diego with a visit to the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the USS Midway. The group will then travel to Los Angeles with a tour of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial along the way. After a flight to Honolulu, guests will check in at the historic “Pink Palace of the Pacific” The Royal Hawaiian, a luxury hotel where servicemen in the Pacific Fleet would come for R&R during World War II. There will be an extensive tour of Oahu and the actual Pearl Harbor battlefields, airstrips, sunken battleships and military bases that still bear the scars of that brutal attack. Other stops include the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island with a behind the scenes tour of the island, a VIP tour and a welcome address from Historian Daniel Martinez of the USS Arizona Memorial and a wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery or “Punchbowl Cemetery.”  

In addition to the World War II related stops, participants will also get an opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of Hawaii. A tour of the Dole Plantation is an opportunity to tour lush gardens and sample fresh pineapple from the field. A tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center also includes access to seven native villages and Hawaii’s most authentic luau. Additional options for shopping and dining complete the experience. The tour will conclude on March 7, 2008. An optional post tour package is available.

Other invited guest include ace fighter pilot Ensign Donald “Flash” Gordon who destroyed seven Japanese aircraft in combat and Lt. Kermit A. Tyler. On December 7, 1941 Tyler was the Officer of the Day in charge of the Communications station at Fort Shafter, Hawai’i.  At 0715 on December 7 Privates Eliot and Lockard noticed an abnormally large blip on their radar scope and called the as yet not fully functional Communications Center at Fort Shafter. Kermit Tyler, after reviewing the report and remembering that he had been told that a flight of B-17’s were coming in from the mainland, Tyler told Eliot and Lockard, “don’t worry about it.”  The blip on the radar screen that was picked up was of course not the B-17’s from the mainland, but the Japanese strike force of over 300 aircraft heading to attack Pearl Harbor. 

Each trip includes superior lodging accommodations with private bath, transportation in a first class air-conditioned motor coach, airfare from Los Angeles to Hawaii, breakfast every day, as well as dinner and lunch on selected days, entrance fees to museums and attractions and priceless memories.

The entire tour has been developed and organized by the Museum’s travel experts and historians.  Martin K.A. Morgan, the Museum’s Historian in Residence, will accompany the tour as we retrace this pivotal moment in history.  Space is limited and bookings are already in progress so reserve your spot today for the trip of a lifetime! Book your trip before October 31 for a discount.

All of the Museum’s tours include all accommodations, entrance fees, on-site historians, and World War II veterans as part of the experience. For additional information, please call 877-813-3329, ext 257 or email travel@nationalww2museum.org. Visit www.nationalww2museum.org to download a brochure for this and other exciting World War II travel packages.