The shamrock is the symbol of Ireland and a recurring theme in The National WWII Museum’s collection.

The story of a swagger stick presented to T/3 John Sweitzer by his German prisoners.

A look past the pages of a written letter home.

A small notebook by Charles Don Page records the defining moment in 212 men’s lives under the Imperial Japanese Army.

The courtroom of the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg hosted nearly 400 visitors each day, including 250 members of the international press. The Museum’s collection contains items from some of these visitors, American service members who wanted to sit in on one of the most significant trials in history.

We remember events in different ways. Tangible objects can serve as a reminder of past events.

To celebrate the end of the war and the journey back to the United States, US Navy ships often flew long pennants to commemorate their time overseas.

This is the story of Michael McShane and how he survived the sinking of the SS Athenia, the first ship torpedoed by a U-boat in World War II.

Diaries provided by the Red Cross and the YMCA occupied many long hours of those held in German POW camps. Assistant Director for Curatorial Service Kimberly Guise discusses how the Museum’s collection of this surprising genre has grown substantially over the last 20 years of the Museum’s life.

Learn the story of one of the early collections acquired by the Museum.

Highlights from the Collection over the last 20 years.

Hear about four unique items from our Collection that saw action.