View of downtown New Orleans from the Mississippi River, 1945. From the Collection of Kenneth H. Plummer, Sr.
Group portrait of the 106th Observation Squadron during the Louisiana Maneuvers, 1941. Gift in Memory of John O. Spinks, Sr., 2011.018.003
July 21, 2017 – April 29, 2018 The Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery On December 8, 1941, just one day after the Pearl Harbor attacks, the United States officially entered World War II—Louisiana, however, was already front and center in the country’s defense preparations. From 1940 to 1945, Louisiana hosted the largest maneuvers in US military history, witnessed massive changes to its industrial base, and saw its citizens become enthusiastic contributors to what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt deemed “The Arsenal of Democracy.” The war afforded new, previously unimaginable opportunities to Louisiana’s residents. Through it all, these wartime experiences in the Pelican State laid the groundwork for sweeping economic changes in the new, postwar world that emerged from the 20th century’s greatest struggle. Presented by The Alta and John Franks Foundation. Special Exhibit Programming Throughout the exhibit's run, we will be holding public programming focused on Louisiana's role in World War II. Learn More Film produced by Atherton Pictures, LLC Exhibit Image Highlights The Liberty ship SS William C.C. Claiborne is launched at Delta Shipbuilding Company, New Orleans, 1942. Gift of Earl and Elaine Buras, 1999.060.007 African American soldiers prepare for a parade, Camp Livingston, Pineville, LA, 1942. Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images View of lightning strike at Naval Air Station New Orleans, 1943. From the Collection of Kenneth H. Plummer, Sr. Stearman trainer aircraft fly in formation over City Park, New Orleans, 1943. From the Collection of Kenneth H. Plummer, Sr. Oral History Highlights Delano Brister Delano Brister was born December 14, 1933, in Sieper, Louisiana. He was just eight years old when the Louisiana Maneuvers took place in central Louisiana during the summer of 1941. Oral History produced by Atherton Pictures, LLC Henry Bourgeois Henry “Doc Boo” Bourgeois flew the F4U Corsair in VMF-214, the “Black Sheep” under the command of Greg Boyington in the South Pacific. Oral History produced by Atherton Pictures, LLC Artifact Highlights Higgins Hard Hat of Louis Lanza Gift of John Stinson, 1995.001.001 Higgins Industries worker Louis Lanza used this hard hat throughout his career at the company. Hard hats were an important piece of equipment for workers because of the dangers associated with constructing thousands of craft so quickly. Companies provided workers with hard hats not only to keep them safe, but also to ensure work hours were not lost due to accidents. Aircraft Sextant of Nash Roberts Gift of Dr. Kenneth Roberts, 2011.378.001 Nash Roberts served as a meteorologist for Admiral Chester Nimitz in the Pacific during the war. In 1944, he was one of the first people to fly into the center of a tropical system, a tactic still in use today. Roberts used this sextant when helping predict weather patterns for the final American push to Japan. He later became a weatherman and New Orleans area television personality. Piece of Coconut Log Bow from USS New Orleans (CA-32) Gift of John Richey, 2016.084.001 The USS New Orleans (CA-32) was the first of the seven ship New Orleans- class heavy cruisers built during the 1930s. The New Orleans saw some of the heaviest fighting during the Pacific war with action at Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, and later in the Gilbert, Marshall, Marianas, Philippine and Okinawa campaigns. It was during the Battle of Tassafaronga off Guadalcanal that the New Orleans had its bow blown off by a Japanese torpedo which detonated the forward magazines. This piece of coconut log was part of a temporary bow constructed to get the ship back to port. The New Orleans was awarded 17 battle stars for its service in the Pacific tying it for 3rd most in the theater.
The Liberty ship SS William C.C. Claiborne is launched at Delta Shipbuilding Company, New Orleans, 1942. Gift of Earl and Elaine Buras, 1999.060.007
African American soldiers prepare for a parade, Camp Livingston, Pineville, LA, 1942. Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images
View of lightning strike at Naval Air Station New Orleans, 1943. From the Collection of Kenneth H. Plummer, Sr.
Stearman trainer aircraft fly in formation over City Park, New Orleans, 1943. From the Collection of Kenneth H. Plummer, Sr.
Higgins Hard Hat of Louis Lanza Gift of John Stinson, 1995.001.001 Higgins Industries worker Louis Lanza used this hard hat throughout his career at the company. Hard hats were an important piece of equipment for workers because of the dangers associated with constructing thousands of craft so quickly. Companies provided workers with hard hats not only to keep them safe, but also to ensure work hours were not lost due to accidents.
Aircraft Sextant of Nash Roberts Gift of Dr. Kenneth Roberts, 2011.378.001 Nash Roberts served as a meteorologist for Admiral Chester Nimitz in the Pacific during the war. In 1944, he was one of the first people to fly into the center of a tropical system, a tactic still in use today. Roberts used this sextant when helping predict weather patterns for the final American push to Japan. He later became a weatherman and New Orleans area television personality.
Piece of Coconut Log Bow from USS New Orleans (CA-32) Gift of John Richey, 2016.084.001 The USS New Orleans (CA-32) was the first of the seven ship New Orleans- class heavy cruisers built during the 1930s. The New Orleans saw some of the heaviest fighting during the Pacific war with action at Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, and later in the Gilbert, Marshall, Marianas, Philippine and Okinawa campaigns. It was during the Battle of Tassafaronga off Guadalcanal that the New Orleans had its bow blown off by a Japanese torpedo which detonated the forward magazines. This piece of coconut log was part of a temporary bow constructed to get the ship back to port. The New Orleans was awarded 17 battle stars for its service in the Pacific tying it for 3rd most in the theater.
Article Type Article The Louisiana Maneuvers Americans like to think of World War II as a “great crusade,” but if it was, the country certainly didn’t seem all that fervent about rushing into it. Think of it: by the usual reckoning, World War II lasted six years, from the invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, to Japan’s surrender on board the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. US participation spanned less than four years of that total, a little over half the war. Of seven campaigning seasons, the United States missed the first three and was active only in the final four.
Article Type From the Collection How PT-305 Got Her Custom Portholes Learn how this unique field modification came to be.
Article Type Article New Orleans in the Second World War Two years after the renowned historian began planning a war museum and eight years before The National D-Day Museum opened, Ambrose delivered a lecture, “New Orleans in the Second World War.”
Article Type From the Collection PT-305 Gets a Colorful—and Deceptive—Paint Scheme Read how the world's only fully restored, combat-veteran PT boat got its flashy paint job, and why.
Article Type Article Andrew Higgins and the Atomic Bombs The National WWII Museum has long highlighted the wartime contributions of Andrew Higgins and his company, Higgins Industries, in building thousands of landing craft that were vital to amphibious invasions. Now the institution is exploring a little-known role the New Orleans company played in the Manhattan Project as America raced to develop an nuclear weapon.
Article Type From the Collection Higgins Industries Builder’s Plaque Returns to PT-305 After more than 70 years away, a unique identifier is restored.
Article Type Article ISWD Roundtable: World War II and the Present Crisis Institute for the Study of War and Democracy Roundtable featuring Conrad C. Crane, PhD.
Article Type Profile Frances Langford: GI Nightingale Frances Langford was an inspiring vocalist who devoted much of her wartime career to the entertainment of those in service. She was known as the “GI Nightingale,” and her performances had the power to temporarily transport troops from the battlefield into the arms of their sweethearts.
Article Type Book Review A Book Review of The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan Denise Kiernan's The Girls of Atomic City captures a wonderful social history of how women made the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee successful.
Article Type From the Collection American Red Cross Braille and Arts and Skills Corps Mildred V. Payne and Dorothy Seder were just two of the 7.5 million individuals who volunteered with the American Red Cross during World War II.
Article Type Profile The Legacy of WASP Dorothy Britt Dorothy Britt (later Mann) was one of only 1,100 women who trained as pilots with the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). Through artifacts from her service and stories of her experiences, she continues to inspire.
Article Type Article Nettie the Riveter Jeanette "Nettie" Parker worked as a riveter for Fisher Body Plant Aircraft Division in Memphis, Tennessee from February 1943-July 1945.
Article Type Interview Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II Author Liza Mundy highlights an inspiring group of women during World War II.
Article Type Book Review Love in War: A Review of "We Are Going to be Lucky: A World War II Love Story in Letters" The correspondence between Lenny and Diana Miller captures the trials and triumphs of a couple separated by war, but determined to defeat fascism.
