Built for the United States Navy in 1944, the USS Missouri was the last and arguably most significant battleship commissioned by the United States. The vessel not only took part in World War II but also witnessed the end of it. This history is celebrated and preserved as part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that resides just outside of Honolulu, Hawaii. The USS Missouri itself serves as a museum ship, ensuring that the legacy it represents will resonate with audiences across the eras.
The Most Historic Battleship in the World
Launched from the Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn in 1944, the USS Missouri participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa during World War II. The vessel would host the surrender ceremony of Japan in September of 1945 on what is now known as the Surrender Deck, cultivating a reputation as one of the most historic battleships in the world. A bronze plaque now resides on the spot where Japan surrendered to the Allies.
The USS Missouri played a part in the Korean War and after being decommissioned in 1955 would end up being reactivated and updated to serve in the Gulf War. The vessel was decommissioned for a final time in 1992 before being moved to Pearl Harbor in 1998 to become a museum ship. The ship’s bow faces the Arizona Memorial to convey that Missouri watches over the remains of Arizona, allowing those interred within Arizona’s hull to rest in peace.
Preserving the ship in this manner has opened up countless opportunities for the site and stakeholders, enabling audiences to experience an essential piece of history on a profound level.
Events, Experiences and More
Audiences can explore the exterior and interior of the USS Missouri, seeing the exact conditions that the crew of the vessel lived through. Doing so is part of the ticketed Pearl Harbor National Memorial package, although numerous additional opportunities around engagement are specific to the USS Missouri.
The Gift Shop contains countless items for sale, while the Private Events program offers companies and individual groups the opportunity to host exclusive gatherings onboard the Battleship Missouri. Additionally, the Community & Signature Events program offers events and experiences throughout the year which celebrate historical moments and special holidays.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the history that the USS Missouri represents is unmatched. However, the effort to preserve and showcase this legacy highlights what sort of possibilities exist when it comes to transforming something that might otherwise be forgotten or lost into a monument.
Connecting the Past to the Future of the United States and Beyond
Featured in countless guides and maps of Honolulu and all of Hawaii, the USS Missouri has become an essential part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Doing so highlights what it can mean for pieces of history to not only become parts of larger landmarks but also connect audiences to the past in ways that will continue to resonate into the far future.
