As The National WWII Museum celebrates year 20, we look back at some collection highlights.

Decades after his death, Mikio Hasemoto’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. A second-generation Japanese American serving in the segregated 100th Infantry Battalion, Hasemoto’s sacrifice was one of many initially overlooked because of race.

Hawaii’s initial importance to the US Army was not due to long-term planning, but it would become a crucial piece of a defensive network in the Pacific.

Known as a tropical paradise today, for many sailors before December 7, 1941, it was just another port of call during their naval service.

Louisiana was dotted with Army Air Fields during World War II. Most of them exist today as civilian airports, their military history long forgotten.