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National Museum of the Pacific War
340 E Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Phone: (830) 997-8600
www.pacificwarmuseum.org
Hours: Open Daily 9-5pm
SPECIAL RESOURCE SECTION
AVIATION MUSEUMS
National Museum of
the Pacific War
Home of Admiral Nimitz Museum
I
MAGINE what it might have been like to fly
combat aircraft into fierce battle or execute a
perilous surprise aerial attack across enemy
lines. The National Museum of the Pacific War
has on exhibit a fleet of mighty restored warbirds
whose stories fuel the ability for visitors to visualize
and understand the intense global conflict of
World War II as it was fought in the vast Pacific
and China, Burma, India Theatres. The renowned
military museum seeks to “inspire our youth by
honoring our heroes.”
One such hero, the 41st President of the United States, George H.W.
Bush, served as a naval torpedo bomber pilot. His aircraft was shot
down by anti-aircraft fire during an air strike on enemy installations
in the South Pacific. The carrier-based Grumman TBM-3E Avenger
shown at the Pacific Combat Zone of the museum, is similar to the
plane flown by Bush in that World War II bombing mission.
On April 18, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle commanded
a sneak attack on the Japanese mainland. In collaboration with
the United States Navy, 16 land-based U.S. Army Air Force B-25
Mitchell bombers took off from the Navy carrier USS Hornet,
launching a dangerous operation designed to shock the Japanese.
Doolittle led the way, followed by courageous airmen who
volunteered for the “Doolittle Raid.”
“We have a B-25 on exhibit, refurbished and painted to resemble
the exact bomber Doolittle piloted,” Mike Lebens, head curator of
the museum, describes how the plane rests on a mock flight deck
that depicts the scene on the USS Hornet. The twin-engine bomber
and its role in retaliating against the Empire of Japan, symbolizes
a shift in the war that stalled enemy aggression by demonstrating
Japan’s vulnerability to air strikes and gave a much needed boost
to fatigued American morale.
An Imperial Japanese floatplane fighter, code named “Rex” by
U.S. Allies, was designed to operate as a seaplane but carried
heavy floats that crippled its ability to combat nimble American
34
fighters. According to Lebens, “Only 97 planes were produced,
three remain, and we have the only one in the world on exhibit.”
Another Japanese gem on display is the Val dive bomber,
which was recovered in the South Pacific and abandoned on
the runway in the village of Gasmata on New Britain, which
was occupied by the Japanese in early 1942. “It was found in
the same state that it had been sitting since the end of the war
and was badly battle damaged,” Lebens explains. “The Val
is unrestored — exhibited as it was found as a tribute to the
ghosts of war so people can contemplate the War in the Pacific
and those that didn’t make it back.”
In addition to the historical aircraft, the collection, which dates
from prewar to Japan’s surrender, includes an atomic bomb
casing, pieces of wreckage from Japanese planes that were
gunned down, naval guns, army and marine artillery pieces, and
a World War II combat veteran PT boat. Museum archives are
open by appointment, featuring more than 4,000 oral histories,
diaries, and a treasury of donated military relics, such as “The
Flying Tigers” archive.
Supported by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, the Pacific
War Museum serves to preserve the legacy of millions of
dedicated men and women who fought in the Pacific-Asiatic
Theater of Operations. As Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet,
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, directed strategic maneuvers
of Allied forces to stop Japanese advancement at sea. The
museum is located at the site of his boyhood home, the former
Nimitz Hotel. Originally established as Nimitz Museum, this
collection of Pacific War memorabilia and warbirds has grown
to become one of the most notable military anthologies in the
nation, “honoring history and service.”
The six-acre complex housing three museums was established to
“provide national leadership,” illustrate lessons learned, preserve
historical artifacts and stories, as well as commemorate veterans
through interactive exhibits, live combat zone reenactments,
memorial gardens, and educational programs. “We want people
to understand the complexity of the war in the Pacific and the
sacrifice that both sides made.” Lebens points out the collection
tells dramatic stories of soldiers and sailors who fought the war,
their weapons, tactics and their cultures.
“They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together
and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn
obligation — the obligation to insure that their sacrifice will help
make this a better and safer world in which to live.”
— Chester W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, USN 1885-1966
WARBIRD DIGEST #55 JULY/AUGUST 2014