Museum Guide

A Veterans Museum Dedicated to its History in Western Tennessee   The Veterans’ Museum (Halls, Tenn.) is located on the ramp of a WWII B-17 Training Base in West Tennessee, 65 miles north of Memphis. The Museum is dedicated to sharing the history of the base and its 770 crews. It also includes the effect this facility had on the area. In operation from 1942 through 1945, it churned out crews that were moved to the European Theatre with expediency. A recent outside exhibit has monuments memorializing the 115 crewmen who were killed in air crashes during training. The Museum has 12,080 sq. ft. for exhibits that, in addition to the B-17 Base, includes WWI through present day. Military vehicles inside and aircraft outside make this museum a popular place to visit. An A-7 Corsair II and a CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter are the aircraft on display. The main feature it offers is private, personal tours by people who have travelled the journey of this museum development. The Museum Director is an 83-year-old, who remembers the war and how her family was influenced by the facility. On the weekend, one may have an 84-year-old docent, who remembers Halls during WWII, or a Vietnam Veteran who served on the Oriskany. A recent docent addition is the granddaughter of a WWII B-17 pilot who trained here. During the week, one will be guided by the granddaughter of a man who was on the Crash Crew on the Base. Mainly, we want to hear about you and your military experiences. When we do, those experiences become a part of what we share with future visitors. So, for a stroll down memory lane where you become a living addition, you should visit The Veterans’ Museum (www.dyaab.us)

Located immediately adjacent to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is one of the few places in the world where you can learn about and be inspired by the proud past and bright future of the United States Navy’s submarine force.  Make your visit to Pearl Harbor complete by visiting this national award-winning museum. The museum is home to the World War Two fleet submarine, USS Bowfin (SS 287).   Bowfin was named for an aggressive brackish water predator native to north America.  Launched on December 7, 1942, she was nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger”.  During nine war patrols, Bowfin lived up to her namesake and her nickname.  Bowfin has been open to the public as a museum ship since 1981.  Over ten million visitors have walked her decks and learned what it was like to serve onboard. The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum reopened in February 2021 following a twenty-million-dollar renovation.  The museum features three galleries.  The World War Two gallery highlights the contributions of the submarine force in winning the war in the Pacific.  The Cold War gallery highlights how two technological advancements – the development of nuclear propulsion and the submarine launched ballistic missile made undeniable contributions toward maintaining peace during a challenging period.  The modern gallery highlights the important contributions that the submarine force continues to make in the defense of our nations – today and into the future. The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is open every day of the year except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park11 Arizona Memorial DriveHonolulu, HI  www.bowfin.org  

  The Grissom Air Museum was created by 7 volunteers who wanted to tell the story about the base and those who served. The base was started during WWII as a Bunker Hill Naval Air station. They trained pilots to fly missions protecting our nation. While there were many service members that came through the base, Ted Williams of Baseball fame, got his start here. About 1954, the U.S. Air Force asked to take over the base and changed the name to Bunker Hill Air Force Base. Fast forward to 1968, the base had changed its name to honor a Hoosier native and hero to Grissom Air Force Base after the death of Lt. Col. Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom. The Grissom Air Museum tells the history of the Bunker Hill Naval Air Station and Bunker Hill-Grissom Air Force and Reserve Base. We talk about their stories and the aircraft that flew and maintained while serving on the forward wall. While there were many aircraft that were stationed on base, one such incredible aircraft that served was the B-58 Hustler. This aircraft set multiple records, some of which remain unbroken today. Two such stories tell us about Capt. Manuel “Rocky” Cervantes who died in a Broken Arrow during an alert training exercise. Another pilot who died in a training exercise was Maj. Dick Blakslee. Both stories, while tragic, told us about the dedication and passion that they held for our nation. To learn more about these and other service members, visit the Grissom Air Museum. The Museum opens for the season March 9, 2023. For hours of operation, call the museum at (765) 689-8011 or www.grissomairmuseum.com