In early June 1942, Japanese forces attacked the American military facilities at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, kicking off the 13 month Aleutian Islands Campaign.

The Museum’s archives contains many examples of letters written to children and the tones struck in the letters are as varied as the paper they’re written on. How did those in service help children understand what was happening in World War II while still trying to make sense of it themselves?

After becoming a prisoner of war of the Japanese, Ben Skardon survived the Bataan Death March and the sinking of two hell ships during the crossing from the Philippines to Japan.

The origins of an iconic movie line and the refinement of rules for the treatment of prisoners of war.

Robert Rankin discusses the mission during which he became an ace in a day by downing five German aircraft, including one that was moving to attack his group commander, Colonel Hubert “Hub” Zemke.

The men of the African American 761st Tank Battalion entered combat at Morville-les-Vic on November 7, 1944. In an "inferno" of battle, they proved their worth in the first of a series of hard fought battles.

Ari Phoutrides talks about experiencing a massive kamikaze attack one day while posted to Radar Picket Station #1 off the coast of Okinawa during which his ship was hit by four bombs and six kamikazes.

The Family Block Party is an event where our local audience can come together to celebrate many of New Orleans’s best community organizations.

Baseball boosted American morale during World War II and whipped soldiers, sailors, and pilots into fighting shape.

Hans Courant talks about his time at Los Alamos, building components for the atomic bomb, and coming to the realization that the bomb would be used on human beings.

More than 14,000 African American men served in the US Army Air Forces in segregated units during World War II. Only about 1,000 of them were pilots. Many others, like Louisiana native Albert Porche, filled vital support roles which kept the famed Red Tails flying in Italy. 

Raymond Mason describes the 4th Armored Division’s assault toward the town of Bastogne where they were heading to relieve the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge.