Kursk: The Epic Armored Engagement (2013) The National WWII Museum 2014-01-19 | Kursk: The Epic Armored Engagement by moderator Dr. Keith Huxen with Dr. Robert Citino and John Parshal.
The Schweinfurt-Regensburg Raid: August 17, 1943 The National WWII Museum 2023-08-16 | In August 1943, hoping to substantially affect the Nazi war industry, US air planners developed the idea of a dual strike mission hitting two significant targets deep inside Germany.Evolving from an earlier plan code-named JUGGLER, a modified strike targeted the Messerschmitt aircraft factory at Regensburg and ball bearing production plants at Schweinfurt. By attacking these targets, air planners hoped for a two-pronged effect: curb Luftwaffe fighter production while creating a ball-bearing shortage, resulting in a wholesale industrial collapse.READ MORE: nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/schweinfurt-regensburg-raid-august-17-1943Video via National Archives at College Park - Motion Pictures NAID: 24258 catalog.archives.gov/id/24258
Atom Bomb: “The Destroyer of Worlds” - Episode 4 The National WWII Museum 2023-08-14 | In this special season of World War II On Topic, The National WWII Museum will explore J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project, and the history and ramifications of the atomic bomb. In this episode, Jason Dawsey, PhD, and John Curatola, PhD, historians with the Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, discuss the legacy of the Manhattan Project.Subscribe to this series atSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/7HrBVEZuyvi4KbKHMk9e9H?si=Y5SCYuBPTM-C4MAWPLTFGQApple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-war-ii-on-topic/id1622238752
Meet the Author: Gregory Fontenot, “No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War The National WWII Museum 2023-08-12 | Reception: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Event: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.This event is free and open to the public. Register today to join us in person or to view the event online.Join The National WWII Museum for a conversation with author Gregory Fontenot, retired US Army Colonel, as he discusses his book No Sacrifice Too Great: The 1st Infantry Division in World War II with a historian from the Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy.The US Army’s 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed “The Big Red One,” adapted to dynamic battlefield conditions throughout the course of its deployment during World War II by innovating and altering behavior, including tactics, techniques, and procedures. Both the Division’s leaders and soldiers accomplished this by thinking critically about their experiences in combat and wasting little time in putting lessons learned to good use. Simply put, they learned on the job—during and after battle—and did so quickly.In telling the division’s WWII story, which includes an extensive photographic essay featuring many previously unpublished images, Fontenot includes the stories of individual members of The Big Red One, from high-ranking officers to enlisted men fresh off the streets of Brooklyn, both during and after the conflict. Fontenot’s rare ability to combine expert analysis with compelling narrative history makes No Sacrifice Too Great an absorbing read for anyone interested in the military history of the United States.Gregory Fontenot is a retired Colonel of the US Army. He is currently a consultant on threat emulation for Army experimentation and a working historian. He was lead author of On Point: The US Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, published by CGSC Press, and is the author of The 1st Infantry Division and the US Army Transformed: Road to Victory in Desert Storm, 1970–1991, winner of the 2017 Army Historical Foundation award for Unit History, as well as Loss and Redemption at St. Vith: The 7th Armored Division in the Battle of the Bulge.A reception from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. will precede the event, and Fontenot will sign copies of his book following the presentation. Purchase a copy of Fontenot’s book in advance here.If you’re unable to make it to the Museum for this free event, it will be available to stream on Vimeo.For additional information, please email Connie Gentry, Conference and Program Specialist, at connie.gentry@nationalww2museum.org.
United News: B-29 Superfortress attack Japan The National WWII Museum 2023-08-11 | B-29 Superfortress bombers of the 20th Air Force fly from India to bases in China where landing strips are built.Video via: National Archives at College Park - Motion Pictures NAID: 39015This item was produced or created in 1944. The creator compiled or maintained the parent series, Motion Picture Films from United News Newsreels, between 1942–1945.
Eyewitness to Hiroshima, and the Enola Gay - Episode 3 The National WWII Museum 2023-08-07 | In this special season of World War II On Topic, The National WWII Museum will explore J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project, and the history and ramifications of the atomic bomb. The anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima was August 6. In this episode, we hear from two extraordinary people who experienced the bombing, albeit from vastly different perspectives. While much has been written and said on the subject, these are firsthand recollections, excerpted from the oral histories given by Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk and Ittsei Nakagawa.Van Kirk was the navigator on the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. He was the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew before his death in 2014.Nakagawa was a Japanese American from California who got stuck in Japan due to the war. He was there, in Hiroshima, on that fateful day and survived to tell his experience.These oral histories were recorded by the Museum and provide a first-person look into the lives of those who experienced these astonishing and terrifying events.Subscribe to this series atSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/7HrBVEZuyvi4KbKHMk9e9H?si=Y5SCYuBPTM-C4MAWPLTFGQApple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-war-ii-on-topic/id1622238752
The Treblinka Uprising: Resistance & Remembrance 80 Years Later The National WWII Museum 2023-08-02 | Join The National WWII Museum as we host Arizona State University professor Jacob Flaws, PhD, and College of Charleston professor Chad Gibbs, PhD, in conversation with Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy historian Jason Dawsey, PhD, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Treblinka prisoner uprising.On August 2, 1943, Jewish inmates in the Nazi death camp at Treblinka, northeast of Warsaw, Poland, staged a daring revolt. Facing almost certain death, roughly 1,000 prisoners rose up against their captors. As many as 100 prisoners escaped the SS during the revolt, some of whom survived World War II. On the 80th anniversary of this crucial act of Jewish resistance, we recall this extraordinary story of heroism and defiance.
Student Testimonial of the WWII Studies MA Program: Robin Lacorte The National WWII Museum 2023-08-01 | The National WWII Museum and Arizona State University have partnered to offer a new way to study the war that changed the world with an online Master's degree in World War II Studies. Recent grads of the program share their experience and show that no matter what your background is, a WWII Studies degree is a worthwhile experience to hone unique skills, make friends with similar interests, and deepen your understanding of WWII history. Apply for the program today!
Student Testimonial of the WWII Studies MA Program: Nicholas Schwitzer The National WWII Museum 2023-08-01 | The National WWII Museum and Arizona State University have partnered to offer a new way to study the war that changed the world with an online Master's degree in World War II Studies. Recent grads of the program share their experience and show that no matter what your background is, a WWII Studies degree is a worthwhile experience to hone unique skills, make friends with similar interests, and deepen your understanding of WWII history. Apply for the program today!
Student Testimonial of the WWII Studies MA Program: Michael Smith The National WWII Museum 2023-08-01 | The National WWII Museum and Arizona State University have partnered to offer a new way to study the war that changed the world with an online Master's degree in World War II Studies. Recent grads of the program share their experience and show that no matter what your background is, a WWII Studies degree is a worthwhile experience to hone unique skills, make friends with similar interests, and deepen your understanding of WWII history. Apply for the program today!
Student Testimonial of the WWII Studies MA Program: Laura Bailey The National WWII Museum 2023-08-01 | The National WWII Museum and Arizona State University have partnered to offer a new way to study the war that changed the world with an online Master's degree in World War II Studies. Recent grads of the program share their experience and show that no matter what your background is, a WWII Studies degree is a worthwhile experience to hone unique skills, make friends with similar interests, and deepen your understanding of WWII history. Apply for the program today!
Student Testimonial of the WWII Studies MA Program: Joseph Ladd The National WWII Museum 2023-08-01 | The National WWII Museum and Arizona State University have partnered to offer a new way to study the war that changed the world with an online Master's degree in World War II Studies. Recent grads of the program share their experience and show that no matter what your background is, a WWII Studies degree is a worthwhile experience to hone unique skills, make friends with similar interests, and deepen your understanding of WWII history. Apply for the program today!
Oppenheimer: The Movie and the Man - Episode 2 The National WWII Museum 2023-07-31 | In this special season of World War II On Topic, The National WWII Museum will explore J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project, and the history and ramifications of the atomic bomb. In this episode, Jason Dawsey, PhD & John Curatola, PhD, historians with the Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, discuss the film Oppenheimer, released July 21, 2023.Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer was adapted from the biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. Jason and John explore the history behind the movie, its accuracy, and its influence.To read more visit our Manhattan Project topics page: www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/manhattan-projectSubscribe to this series atSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/7HrBVEZuyvi4KbKHMk9e9H?si=Y5SCYuBPTM-C4MAWPLTFGQApple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-war-ii-on-topic/id1622238752
Michael Neufeld: From the V-2 to the Enola Gay & the Exploration of Space The National WWII Museum 2023-07-26 | Michael J. Neufeld retired in 2023 as a Senior Curator in the Space History Department of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Born in Canada, he has four history degrees, including a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1984. Neufeld has published numerous academic and popular articles and has written or edited nine books, notably The Rocket and the Reich (1995), Von Braun (2007) and Spaceflight: A Concise History (2018). In 2017, Secretary David Skorton gave him the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Award, the Institution’s highest research honor. Asteroid 329018 Neufeld is named for him.Join The National WWII Museum for a conversation with Michael Neufeld, PhD, and Jason Dawsey, PhD, Historian in the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy.
“They Have Been Repaid Many Fold: A Debate on the Use of the Atomic Bombs” The National WWII Museum 2023-07-25 | Introduction - Conrad Crane, PhD“The Race For and Decision to Use the Atomic Bombs” - Robert Norris, Phd and Richard FrankQ&A00:00:00 Introduction00:00:19 Conrad Crane00:02:34 Robert Norris00:23:40 Richard Frank00:54:41 Q&A
Racing for the Bomb: General Leslie Groves - Episode 1 The National WWII Museum 2023-07-24 | In this special season of World War II On Topic, The National WWII Museum will explore J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project, and the history and ramifications of the atomic bomb. In this episode, we take a closer look at Lieutenant General Leslie Groves, director of the Manhattan Project. While a lot of interest is rightfully set on Oppenheimer, Groves proves to be an interesting character and pivotal player in the development of the bomb.During the Museum’s 2015 International Conference, Dr. Robert Norris, author of Racing for the Bomb: General Leslie R. Groves, the Manhattan Project’s Indispensable Man, spoke about Groves and his role in the Manhattan Project. The lecture featured in this episode was edited for length, but the entire session, also featured author Richard Frank and host Dr. Conrad Crane.The National WWII Museum presents the newest season of its podcast, "World War II On Topic: Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project." Episodes are available weekly starting July 24 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7HrBVEZ...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...The National WWII Museum is more than a world-renowned physical attraction—it is a research institution filled with historians and experts constantly producing best-in-their-field content on various WWII topics. From webinars and lectures to round-table discussions and meet-the-author events, the Museum continues to provide a global audience with engaging ways to connect with WWII history.But it’s a lot, and keeping up with the latest research on the war that changed the world isn’t everyone’s full-time job. That’s why, in our commitment to being the world’s most accessible resource on WWII history, we’ve developed the new World War II On Topic podcast, highlighting a curated selection of some of our best content. Airing weekly in an easily digestible format, On Topic will allow you to rediscover your favorite lectures and events or catch up on great content you might have missed.
Trinity: The Worlds First Atomic Bomb Test The National WWII Museum 2023-07-19 | The Trinity atomic explosion in New Mexico on July 16, 1945, was obviously one of humanity’s most significant scientific achievements. The accession of atomic power in the form of fission is a testament to human ingenuity, technical acumen, and intellectual prowess.Read More: nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/manhattan-projectThe National WWII Museum presents the newest season of its podcast, "World War II On Topic: Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project." Episodes are available weekly starting July 24 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7HrBVEZuyvi4KbKHMk9e9HApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-war-ii-on-topic/id1622238752Video via National Archives at College Park - Motion Pictures catalog.archives.gov/id/166072931
New Podcast Series: Oppenheimer And The Manhattan Project The National WWII Museum 2023-07-12 | The National WWII Museum presents the newest season of its podcast, "World War II On Topic: Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project." Episodes are available weekly starting July 24 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7HrBVEZuyvi4KbKHMk9e9HApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-war-ii-on-topic/id1622238752The National WWII Museum is more than a world-renowned physical attraction—it is a research institution filled with historians and experts constantly producing best-in-their-field content on various WWII topics. From webinars and lectures to round-table discussions and meet-the-author events, the Museum continues to provide a global audience with engaging ways to connect with WWII history.But it’s a lot, and keeping up with the latest research on the war that changed the world isn’t everyone’s full-time job. That’s why, in our commitment to being the world’s most accessible resource on WWII history, we’ve developed the new World War II On Topic podcast, highlighting a curated selection of some of our best content. Airing weekly in an easily digestible format, On Topic will allow you to rediscover your favorite lectures and events or catch up on great content you might have missed.
The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits The National WWII Museum 2023-07-09 | A selection of photographer Shane Sato’s powerful portraits of Japanese American veterans of World War II are showcased in the Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery at The National WWII Museum from June 30, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Supplemented with artifacts and oral histories from the Museum’s collection, The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits explores the selfless service, profound patriotism, and enduring legacy of the Japanese American men and women who persevered in the face of prejudice and incarceration, and risked their lives to advance the Allied effort.
Lunchbox Lecture: “Sicily 1943: Patton vs. Montgomery vs. the Wehrmacht” The National WWII Museum 2023-07-06 | Speaker: Captain Rick JacobsIn July 1943, a three-sided battle took place between the US Seventh Army, the British Eighth Army and the German XIV Panzer Corps in Sicily, where 60,000 German troops held up 450,000 Allied soldiers for 38 days before escaping to Italy with their equipment and their wounded. The failure of the Allied high command foreshadowed the difficulty that blossomed in Normandy a year later. Join Captain Rick Jacobs as he discusses Montgomery’s inept campaigning, Patton’s brilliant circumvention, and German tactical genius for the 80th anniversary of the battle. This Lunchbox Lecture is free and open to the public to attend in The National WWII Museum’s Karen H. Bechtel and William M. Osborne III Media Auditorium. For those unable to make it to the Museum’s campus, the lecture will also be available to stream on Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube.For additional information, please email Maggie Hartley, Director of Public Engagement, at maggie.hartley@nationalww2museum.org.
Easy Company: England to the Eagles Nest The National WWII Museum 2023-06-30 | The National WWII Museum's Travel Program is dedicated to providing the highest quality educational experience.Visit our website for more information: nationalww2museum.org/events-programs/educational-travel
The Go For Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits Opening Reception The National WWII Museum 2023-06-30 | Reception: 5:00 p.m. | Presentation: 6:00 p.m. Join fine-art photographer Shane Sato as he introduces The National WWII Museum’s latest special exhibit, The Go For Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits—on display in The Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery from June 30, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Showcasing Sato’s powerful portraits alongside artifacts and oral histories from the Museum’s collection, The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits will explore the selfless service, profound patriotism, and enduring legacy of the Japanese American men and women who persevered in the face of prejudice and incarceration, and risked their lives to advance the Allied effort. A reception precedes the presentation, after which the exhibit will be open for viewing. Registration for this event is encouraged but not required to attend. If you cannot make it to the Museum for this event, watch live through Vimeo.For more information, contact Maggie Hartley, Director of Public Engagement, at maggie.hartley@nationalww2museum.org.
“Von Braun: In War, Peace, and History” with Michael Neufeld, PhD The National WWII Museum 2023-06-23 | Reception: 5:00 p.m. | Presentation: 6:00 p.m. | Book signing: 7:00 p.m.This event is free and open to the public. Register today to join us in person or to view the event online. Join The National WWII Museum for a conversation with Michael Neufeld, PhD, and Jason Dawsey, PhD, Historian in the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, on the complicated life and legacy of scientist Wernher von Braun. Chief rocket engineer of the Third Reich and one of the fathers of the US space program, von Braun is a source of consistent fascination. Glorified as a visionary and vilified as a war criminal, he was a man of profound moral complexities, whose intelligence and charisma were coupled with an enormous and, some would say, blinding ambition. Following the end of the war, von Braun, along with over 1,000 other German scientists, were brought to the United States for Operation Paperclip. Operation Paperclip, a secret intelligence program designed to aid the United States during the Cold War, harnessed the German scientists’ intelligence to assist with America’s development of V-2 rockets and other biological and chemical weapons. Von Braun would eventually become the director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight center and later became the chief architect of the Saturn V launch vehicle that would bring American astronauts to the moon. Neufeld will discuss his meticulously researched and authoritative portrait of the creator of the V-2 rocket and his times, detailing a man caught between morality and progress, between his dreams of the heavens and the earthbound realities of his life. A reception at 5:00 p.m. will precede the 6:00 p.m. lecture, and Neufeld will sign copies of his book following the presentation. Purchase a copy of Neufeld’s book in advance here. If you cannot make it to the Museum for this event, watch live through Vimeo. Michael J. Neufeld retired in 2023 as a Senior Curator in the Space History Department of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Born in Canada, he has four history degrees, including a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1984. Neufeld has published numerous academic and popular articles and has written or edited nine books, notably The Rocket and the Reich (1995), Von Braun (2007) and Spaceflight: A Concise History (2018). In 2017, Secretary David Skorton gave him the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Award, the Institution’s highest research honor. Asteroid 329018 Neufeld is named for him. The General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series on World War II is devoted to the legacy of America’s largest war. Speakers include writers, scholars, distinguished members of the Armed Forces, and journalists. The lecture series is open to the public through the generosity of the late Major General and Mrs. Raymond E. Mason Jr. and the Raymond E. Mason Foundation. For additional information, please email Connie Gentry, Conference and Program Specialist, at connie.gentry@nationalww2museum.org.
Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration The National WWII Museum 2023-06-07 | Join The National WWII Museum on June 6 in marking the anniversaries of D-Day and the Grand Opening of the Museum. Presented in memory of D-Day veteran and Museum friend Dr. Harold “Hal” Baumgarten, the 2023 D-Day Commemoration celebrates the Museum’s birthday but also remembers the men who landed on the beaches in Normandy on June 6, 1944. The 79th anniversary ceremony will feature Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Michael E. Thornton, USN (Ret.).The Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration Endowment, made possible by the generous gift of Karen and Leopold Sher, ensures that Dr. Baumgarten’s legacy will live on in perpetuity and helps the Museum fulfill its mission to educate future generations about the events of World War II and its lasting impacts.Special speaker will be Medal of Honor Recipient David Bellavia. Staff Sergeant Bellavia distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. Especially meaningful is that his grandfather served in World War II and was part of the D-Day invasion.Current military members and their families are admitted to the Museum free of charge for the day through the Blue Star Museums program. Complimentary admission is for the Museum galleries only; ticket purchase is required for Beyond All Boundaries and Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience for $7 each.Schedule of Events10:15 a.m. : St. Augustine High School Marching 100 Performance - At U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center11:00 a.m. : Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration Ceremony - At U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center or online5:00 p.m.: Reel History: Founded on Friendship & Freedom: The National WWII Museum - At Solomon Victory Theater
The Master’s in WWII Studies Celebration of Graduates The National WWII Museum 2023-06-04 | The National WWII Museum's Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy will welcome recent graduates from its collaborative Masters in World War II Studies program with Arizona State University to New Orleans on June 2–3 to celebrate the completion of their graduate degrees. Graduates and their guests will meet their faculty and their fellow students; explore the Museum for free; and be recognized for their hard work in a public ceremony at the Museum’s US Freedom Pavilion.Taught by the scholars of the Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy as well as leading faculty from ASU, the World War II Studies online master’s degree program provides graduate students in-depth insights into the war and its legacies.
2023 Armed Forces Day Commemoration The National WWII Museum 2023-05-30 | The National WWII Museum, on May 20, celebrated Armed Forces Day and recognized servicemembers, both past and present, in all six branches of the US military: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force. The Museum partnered with the New Orleans Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee for a Commemoration Ceremony in US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center.Within the ceremony, the Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee recognized and honored the 2023 awardees of the MMAC Community Service Award. The MMAC Community Service Award honors servicemembers who have gone above and beyond to selflessly serve the communities they live and work in.The 2023 Armed Forces Day Commemoration featured:- USMC Major General David Mize (Ret.)- New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell- Medal of Honor recipient Jim “Doc” McCloughan- Performance by the Victory Belles- USMC Color Guard and BandFollowing the commemoration, the Museum unveiled and rededicated the museum’s Blue Star Highway Marker in partnership with the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. on Magazine Street.
Memorial Day Commemoration The National WWII Museum 2023-05-30 | Join The National WWII Museum on May 29 for a solemn remembrance of military personnel who lost their lives in service to their country at our Memorial Day Commemoration at 11:00 a.m. in US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. The 2023 Memorial Day Commemoration will feature:* Gold Star Daughter Dolores Milhous, whose father, James Robinson Jr., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor following his service in WWII* Medal of Honor recipient Michael Thorton* Performance by the Victory Belles* Performance by the American Legion Post 377 bandIf you cannot make it to the Museum for this event, watch live through Vimeo.For more information, contact Jessica Saddler, Veteran & Military Engagement Specialist, at jessica.saddler@nationalww2musuem.org.
2023 Armed Forces Day Commemoration The National WWII Museum 2023-05-21 | Join The National WWII Museum on May 20 to celebrate Armed Forces Day and recognize servicemembers, both past and present, in all six branches of the US military: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force. The Museum will partner with the New Orleans Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee for a Commemoration Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. in US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center.Within the ceremony, the Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee will recognize and honor the 2023 awardees of the MMAC Community Service Award. The MMAC Community Service Award honors servicemembers who have gone above and beyond to selflessly serve the communities they live and work in.The 2023 Armed Forces Day Commemoration will feature:- USMC Major General David Mize (Ret.)- New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell- Medal of Honor recipient Jim “Doc” McCloughan- Performance by the Victory Belles- USMC Color Guard and BandFollowing the commemoration, the Museum will unveil and rededicate the museum’s Blue Star Highway Marker in partnership with the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. on Magazine Street.On Armed Forces Day, all veterans are admitted free to the Museum's galleries; ticket purchase is required for Beyond All Boundaries and Final Mission: USS Tang Submarine Experience for $6 each. Note: Free admission is for veterans only and does not include family or friends. If you have any ticketing questions, please visit the Guest Services desk.Active duty and retired military servicemembers, along with their families, are then welcome to join us from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Museum’s Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground for the Blue Star Museums Kickoff Cookout to enjoy fun outdoor patio games, face painting, and an outdoor cookout lunch. Note: The cookout lunch is free with prior registration. Click here to register. For those who do not register in advance, cash sales for the cookout’s food and beverage service will be available.These events serve as a kickoff to the Blue Star Museums program. Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America. This program offers free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day.For more information, contact Jessica Saddler, Veteran & Military Engagement Specialist, at jessica.saddler@nationalww2musuem.org.
Faith in Wartime Lecture Series: Dr. G. Kurt Piehler The National WWII Museum 2023-05-11 | Dr. G. Kurt Piehler speaks about his book, A Religious History of the American GI in World War II, which breaks new ground by recounting the Armed Forces’ unprecedented efforts to meet the spiritual needs of the 15 million men and women who served in World War II. Support for this lecture is provided by the Baptist Community Ministries, allowing the Museum to explore the role of faith in World War II.
Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip - Audio Description The National WWII Museum 2023-05-10 | Join The National WWII Museum to learn more about the inspiring story of the American Home Front effort that brought victory to the Allies and brought the country out of the Great Depression. Get inspired as you hear the untold stories of how women and people of color came together to bring the United States to the forefront of manufacturing during World War II.
Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip The National WWII Museum 2023-05-05 | Join The National WWII Museum to learn more about the inspiring story of the American Home Front effort that brought victory to the Allies and brought the country out of the Great Depression. Get inspired as you hear the untold stories of how women and people of color came together to bring the United States to the forefront of manufacturing during World War II.
Lunchbox Lecture: Props and Pin Ups: Nose Art in WWII The National WWII Museum 2023-05-04 | By John Curatola, PhD, WWII Military Historian, Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, The National WWII Museum For millennia, men have adorned their weapons with symbols, shapes, or colors that express personal or cultural meaning. With the advent of aviation, this phenomenon took a new form given the larger canvas of the airplane. This new form of art has its own distinct character and arguably reaches its zenith during World War II. During this lecture, Dr. Curatola will address some of the basic elements of “nose art” and its influences, trends, and general themes. This Lunchbox Lecture is free and open to the public to attend in The National WWII Museum’s Karen H. Bechtel and William M. Osborne III Media Auditorium. For those unable to make it to the Museum’s campus, the lecture will also be available to stream on Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube.For additional information, please email Maggie Hartley, Director of Public Engagement, at maggie.hartley@nationalww2museum.org. This program is proudly sponsored by AARP Louisiana.
The Walt Disney Studios and World War II Special Exhibit at The National WWII Museum The National WWII Museum 2023-05-03 | Organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California, The Walt Disney Studios and World War II will be on display in The National WWII Museum’s Senator John Alario, Jr. Special Exhibition Hall from March 17, 2023, through September 24, 2023. This family-friendly exhibit explores how one of America’s most beloved entertainment companies helped achieve Allied victory.
The Walt Disney Studios and World War II Special Exhibit at The National WWII Museum The National WWII Museum 2023-05-03 | Organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California, The Walt Disney Studios and World War II will be on display in The National WWII Museum’s Senator John Alario, Jr. Special Exhibition Hall from March 17, 2023, through September 24, 2023. This family-friendly exhibit explores how one of America’s most beloved entertainment companies helped achieve Allied victory.
The Walt Disney Studios and World War II Special Exhibit at The National WWII Museum The National WWII Museum 2023-05-03 | Organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California, The Walt Disney Studios and World War II will be on display in The National WWII Museum’s Senator John Alario, Jr. Special Exhibition Hall from March 17, 2023, through September 24, 2023. This family-friendly exhibit explores how one of America’s most beloved entertainment companies helped achieve Allied victory.
Mark Rubin speaks on surviving The Holocaust The National WWII Museum 2023-04-24 | In 2018, longtime Museum Trustee Mark Rubin (1937–2021) sat down with Historian Dr. Robert Citino to talk about his memory of growing up during the Holocaust and his family's survival of the concentration camp.
Lavenia Breaux: Serving in the Womens Army Corps The National WWII Museum 2023-04-20 | In this oral history interview clip, Lavenia describes serving in the Women's Army Corps as a Black woman. After arriving at her barracks for basic training in Illinois, the white women staying with Lavenia's unit attempted to segregate the barracks with sheets and blankets. The Black women in the barracks protested this separation.
Edgar Cole: Traveling to Camp Lejeune The National WWII Museum 2023-04-20 | In this oral history interview clip, Edgar Cole describes traveling to Camp Lejeune for his basic training after receiving his draft notice for the Marine Corps. While waiting to be picked up from his train stop, he was approached by two police officers who did not believe he was there to be picked up and told him to leave.
Betty Soskin: Experiencing Racism on the Home Front The National WWII Museum 2023-04-20 | In this oral history interview clip, Betty Soskin describes racism she experienced as a clerk at an Air Force installation in California as well as her husband not being allowed to serve as a sailor in the US Navy.
Yom HaShoah Commemorative Program The National WWII Museum 2023-04-19 | NOTE: A 5:00 p.m. reception precedes the presentation at 6:00 p.m. in the Stage Door Canteen.Join The National WWII Museum for an evening of remembrance and reflection in commemoration of Yom HaShoah, a day dedicated to the approximately six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.This event is free and open to the public, and registration is encouraged. For more information, email Maggie Hartley, Director of Public Engagement, at maggie.hartley@nationalww2museum.org.If you cannot make it to the Museum for this event, watch the event live through Vimeo.This program is made possible by The Mark Rubin Family Endowment for Holocaust Education.
Expressions of America The National WWII Museum 2023-04-12 | The newest attraction at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans brings history to life like never before. Enjoy an unforgettable evening of music, special effects, and entertainment as projections 90 feet tall transport you back in time. expressionsofamerica.org
WWII Cartoons and Propaganda Webinar from 4/6 The National WWII Museum 2023-04-12 | Join The National WWII Museum for this student webinar on how cartoons played a role in propaganda on the Home Front. A Museum educator will examine different pieces of wartime propaganda that were aimed at students during the war, including two artworks by Disney. Students will be able to understand the purpose of propaganda and see how propaganda would have impacted their lives if they had grown up during World War II.
The 6888th Central postal Battalion Webinar from 2/23 The National WWII Museum 2023-04-12 | Join The National WWII Museum for this webinar highlighting the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a battalion made up of over 800 African American women during World War II. During this webinar, a Museum educator will highlight the work done by these women overseas as they were given a daunting task of clearing out a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail. Throughout the program, the stories of these women will be discussed through primary source material as well featuring the oral history clips of a member of the 6888th, Romay Davis. In her oral history, Davis recounts her experiences serving during World War II, and she discusses the prejudice she faced as an African American woman and how segregation and gender roles of the time affected her during the war, as well as the changes made after World War II.
Lunchbox Lecture: Southern California at the Dawn of World War II The National WWII Museum 2023-04-06 | Speaker: Cory Graff, Curator, The National WWII Museum Join Curator Cory Graff as he dives into the strange history of SoCal as America went to war. After recovering from the shock of “The Battle of Los Angeles,” the region became an indispensable leader in wartime entertainment and defense manufacturing. Learn how the Golden State’s fame, firepower, and fortitude helped bring victory to the Allies. This Lunchbox Lecture is free and open to the public to attend in The National WWII Museum’s Karen H. Bechtel and William M. Osborne, III Media Auditorium. For those unable to make it to the Museum’s campus, the lecture will also be livestreamed on Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube, and will be available as a recording on both platforms.For additional information, please email Maggie Hartley, EdD, Director of Public Engagement at maggie.hartley@nationalww2museum.org.This program is proudly sponsored by AARP Louisiana.
Meet the Author: Luck of the Draw, “My Story of the Air War in Europe” The National WWII Museum 2023-03-31 | Frank Murphy became one of the few survivors of the 100th Bombardment Group, nicknamed The Bloody Hundredth. During the war, Murphy was stationed in England where he flew 21 combat missions. Shot out of his B-17 on his 21st mission, he was captured and survived 19 months as a German POW. 20 years ago, he first wrote his memoir for his family. Now, his daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Chloe, have republished Murphy’s memoir so that they can share his story and legacy with readers today.
Meet the Author – Luck of the Draw: My Story of the Air War in Europe The National WWII Museum 2023-03-30 | A conversation with Elizabeth Murphy and Chloe Melas, daughter and granddaughter of late veteran and author Frank MurphyBeginning on August 17, 1942, American heavy bomber crews of the Eighth Air Force took off for combat in the hostile skies over occupied Europe. The final price was staggering: 4,300 B-17s and B-24s failed to return, nearly 21,000 men were taken prisoner or interned in a neutral country, and a further 17,650 men made the ultimate sacrifice.Frank Murphy became one of the few survivors of the 100th Bombardment Group, nicknamed The Bloody Hundredth. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Murphy enlisted with the US Army Air Corps following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After completing his training, Murphy was assigned as a B-17 navigator to the newly formed 100th Bomb group.Murphy was stationed in England, where he flew 21 combat missions. Shot out of his B-17 on his 21st mission, Murphy was captured and survived 19 months as a German POW. Following the war, Murphy was awarded a Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the US Prisoner of War Medal before passing away in 2007 at age 85.Frank Murphy first wrote his story 20 years ago for just his family. Now, his daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Chloe, have republished his memoir so that they can share his story and legacy with readers today.Chloe Melas Is an entertainment reporter for CNN covering breaking celebrity news, industry analyses, and in-depth investigations. She currently resides in New York with her husband and two sons.Elizabeth Murphy Holds a Master's of English Literature from Northern Arizona University and is the author of numerous children’s books. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was born and raised.
Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip - Higgins Industries Teaser The National WWII Museum 2023-03-22 | Join us for the Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip on April 25! Register today: nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/distance-learning/k-12-distance-learning/electronic-field-trips/manufacturing-victory
Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip - Salvage for Victory Teaser The National WWII Museum 2023-03-22 | Join us for the Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip on April 25! Register today: nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/distance-learning/k-12-distance-learning/electronic-field-trips/manufacturing-victory
Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip - Women in WWII Teaser The National WWII Museum 2023-03-22 | Join us for the Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip on April 25! Register today: nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/distance-learning/k-12-distance-learning/electronic-field-trips/manufacturing-victory
Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip - SS Jeremiah O’Brien Teaser The National WWII Museum 2023-03-22 | Join us for the Manufacturing Victory Electronic Field Trip on April 25! Register today: nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/distance-learning/k-12-distance-learning/electronic-field-trips/manufacturing-victory
