Building a Collection of World War II aircraft 60 years after the war has been a challenging aspect of building the Museum collection.
The men of the Underwater Demolition Teams in the Pacific were born out of the necessity of the moment in World War II, and blasted their way from one island to another to help achieve American victory over Japan.
In honor of The Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation’s commitment to honoring Gold Star families, the Foundation has gifted The National WWII Museum with a Gold Star mural located on the side of the institution’s Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. The 26x14-foot painting will act as a lasting tribute to families who have lost a loved one in the service of the nation’s military, while also preserving the memory of the fallen and standing as a stark reminder that freedom is not free.