Museum Honors Sacrifice, Service of WWII Pacific Vets Interweaving the stories of America, Japan, China and other Asian countries, the chronicle of how World War II was won in the Pacific can be found in Fredericksburg at the National Museum of the Pacific War, a Smithsonian Affiliate.
“The National Museum of the Pacific War connects people to the experiences and stories of those affected by World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater by interpreting its enduring, global relevance,” said a spokesperson for the museum.
This accredited and nationally recognized museum honors the more than 100,000 Americans who gave their lives in the war against Japan by “truthfully and respectfully telling the story of their struggles, their sacrifices and their triumphs.”
This mission of the museum is brought to life in their endeavors to teach the history and lessons of the war in the Pacific and through educational platforms for their application to current and future national security issues.
The museum also honors the over-16-million Americans who served in WWII across the globe. This is particularly relevant in 2021, which is the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that prompted the U.S. to enter WWII. Formerly known as the Nimitz Museum, in honor of Fredericksburg’s native son, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, it was renamed to respect the wishes of Nimitz who wanted to ensure that all of the men and women who served and supported the war effort were honored. Nimitz served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas and led the naval victory against Japan.
The museum also strives to preserve the memories of those who served there and those who never returned home, as well as facilitate programs that honor and support all veterans, past and present.
Main Museum Campus Encompassing six acres, museum visitors can explore 55,000 square feet of indoor exhibits featuring dozens of media presentations, almost 1,000 artifacts preserved in climate-controlled cases, 15 macroartifacts and hundreds of photographs.
One of the elite military museums in the nation, the main museum building at 311 E. Austin St. houses Having achieved the rank of Fleet the George H.W. Bush Gallery with the adjacent Plaza of Presidents. Admiral before his final victories, Across the Memorial Courtyard, the Nimitz signed the Japanese Japanese Garden of Peace is a few Instrument of Surrender on behalf steps away. The Admiral Nimitz of the United States in the historic ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. Gallery is located inside the historic Nimitz Hotel building facing Main Nimitz is memorialized with an eight-foot bronze statue that stands Street. Just two blocks away are the Oveta Culp Hobby Education Center on the museum grounds. and the Pacific Combat Zone.
122
Exhibits in the George H.W. Bush Gallery convey the shock and destruction of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, including one of the five Japanese, two-man subs that took part in the attack. In the same building, the museum archives hold thousands of manuscripts, official documents, photographs and oral histories of veterans. The archives are housed in the Center for Pacific War Studies which is open to the public by appointment. In the Memorial Courtyard, the museum honors individuals, ships and units who fought in the Pacific Theater. The Japanese Garden of Peace was a gift to Americans from the people of Japan and pays tribute to Japanese Admiral Heihachiro Togo whom Nimitz admired. It includes a replica of Togo’s study in Japan. The recently renovated Admiral Nimitz Gallery features exhibits of Nimitz’ strategy and tactics in his defeat of the Japanese, a wide array of Nimitz’ own artifacts and new digital interactives, including a chance for visitors to try their hands at refueling a battleship at sea, “island-hopping” toward Japan’s mainland, and even running the Nimitz Hotel in the 1800s.
Pacific Combat Zone The Pacific Combat Zone is a unique two-acre indoor/outdoor exhibit and one of the museum’s most popular venues. The PT (Patrol, Torpedo) boat exhibit allows guests to see how these small, fast and torpedo-
Fall&Winter2021
