The British torpedo bomber strike on the Italian naval base of Taranto in November 1940 changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean, and set the stage for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The National WWII Museum recorded a record-breaking month in March 2016 as the institution welcomed 81,703 visitors, smashing the previous monthly record of 73,449. The Museum also welcomed its five millionth visitor on March 19. The visitation milestones come shortly after the institution opened another major exhibit, Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries.

The first bomber to hit Japan after Pearl Harbor, the B-25 Mitchell was found in every theater of the war and was a rugged, multipurpose bomber beloved by her aircrew for its survivability and ease to fly.

On October 12, 1945, US Army medic Desmond Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Ed Bearss, a US Marine who was severely wounded in combat in 1944 and went on to become a great Civil War historian, passed away on September 15, 2020, at the age of 97. He stood for the finest values and traditions of the US Marine Corps.