Among the Museum's collection are many stories of those who did not return, like PFC Darrel “Happy” Neil, killed in action on July 7, 1944 in France.

No newsflash in modern history has ever been greeted with such overwhelming celebration as the announcement that Japan had surrendered, effectively ending World War II, a war that Americans thought would go on indefinitely. Of all the iconic images from that day, the one that still continues to embody the spirit of the nation was of one very famous kiss between a nurse and a sailor.

Opal Grapes was one of more than 59,000 nurses in the Army Nurse Corps. Her recollections highlight the highs and lows of nursing wounded men.

Watch live from your classroom on Tuesday, April 25, 2023! Join The National WWII Museum this spring to learn more about the inspiring story of the American Home Front effort that brought victory to the Allies and brought the country out of the Great Depression.

Each tattoo inked on the skin of those who lived through World War II tells a unique story, reflecting both personal experiences and collective history.