The invasion of Tarawa marked the first major action by American forces in the Central Pacific. Waves of Marines were badly mauled as they struggled to cross reefs and assault the beach.
Manning 155mm howitzers, African American gunners sacrificed themselves to defend fleeing infantry. Eleven of them were murdered by the Waffen SS, and then forgotten by the US Army.
John “Paddy” Hemingway, along with his fellow RAF pilots who have been revered as “the Few,” played a critical role in defending the United Kingdom against Nazi Germany during the summer of 1940.
The Battle of Attu was the only land battle to be fought on North American soil during World War II.
In 1942, a submarine skipper grew frustrated when a requisition for an essential item was cancelled. His response is still famous in the Navy today.
Join our signature vocal trio the Victory Belles for an evening of 1940s tunes paired with our state-of-the-art outdoor sound and light show, Expressions of America.
The Museum's outdoor sound and light show features incredible music, stunning imagery, festive food and beverages, and 90-foot-tall projections.
Join The National WWII Museum's Educational Travel Team and expert historian Jonathan Parshall to learn about this upcoming journey commemorating the end of the war in the Pacific, just over 80 years later.
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