We took another trip to Fredericksburg, this time to visit the National Museum of the Pacific War. This museum is actually 3 museums. The Admiral Nimitz Museum is the cornerstone of the National Museum of the Pacific War and has exhibits that focus on the life of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, his family, and his connections to Fredericksburg. Admiral Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg and raised in the Texas Hill Country.
Behind the Nimitz museum is the Garden of Peace, a gift from the people of Japan in honor and memory of Fleet Admiral Nimitz.
Also behind the Nimitz Museum is a large, outdoor memorial to the many soldiers and ships that were lost in the war. There were hundreds of plaques surrounding this beautiful garden area.
The second building houses the National Museum of the Pacific War-George H.W. Bush Gallery. This museum takes you through the complete Pacific War. Thirty-six different areas beginning with the "Seeds of Conflict", then Pearl Harbor, Corregidor & Bataan, Midway, New Guinea, etc, etc, to the "terrible new weapon" and Victory. Here Bill is standing by a jeep that was originally designed by American Bantam in Butler, PA.
This is the "terrible new weapon", the atomic bomb. Not very big, is it, for as powerful as it was and the destruction it rained on Japan.
Outside the Bush Gallery is a tribute to all the presidents from the beginning of World War II to George Bush.
The third part of the museum is the Pacific Combat Zone, which is a guided tour. This three acre site showcases the museum's large artifacts in their unique environments.
This hanger deck has a TBM Avenger, with wings folded back to save on space.
The PT boat base houses the actual PT 309. It wasn't a very big boat and was build out of wood.
This is a mock up of an invasion beach with landing craft and artillery.
An army tank was tucked back in the trees.
There was also a field hospital along with several other tanks and army vehicles.
And last was a "cemetery" honoring the six branches of our military: Army, Air Force, Navy Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Merchant Marine. Each cross told how many men were lost in each of the branches of our military. It was very humbling.
Behind the Nimitz museum is the Garden of Peace, a gift from the people of Japan in honor and memory of Fleet Admiral Nimitz.
Also behind the Nimitz Museum is a large, outdoor memorial to the many soldiers and ships that were lost in the war. There were hundreds of plaques surrounding this beautiful garden area.
The second building houses the National Museum of the Pacific War-George H.W. Bush Gallery. This museum takes you through the complete Pacific War. Thirty-six different areas beginning with the "Seeds of Conflict", then Pearl Harbor, Corregidor & Bataan, Midway, New Guinea, etc, etc, to the "terrible new weapon" and Victory. Here Bill is standing by a jeep that was originally designed by American Bantam in Butler, PA.
This is the "terrible new weapon", the atomic bomb. Not very big, is it, for as powerful as it was and the destruction it rained on Japan.
Outside the Bush Gallery is a tribute to all the presidents from the beginning of World War II to George Bush.
The third part of the museum is the Pacific Combat Zone, which is a guided tour. This three acre site showcases the museum's large artifacts in their unique environments.
This hanger deck has a TBM Avenger, with wings folded back to save on space.
The PT boat base houses the actual PT 309. It wasn't a very big boat and was build out of wood.
This is a mock up of an invasion beach with landing craft and artillery.
An army tank was tucked back in the trees.
There was also a field hospital along with several other tanks and army vehicles.
And last was a "cemetery" honoring the six branches of our military: Army, Air Force, Navy Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Merchant Marine. Each cross told how many men were lost in each of the branches of our military. It was very humbling.
This is such a large museum that your ticket is good for two days. It is well worth a visit should you ever be in Fredericksburg, Texas.
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