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Arizona Memorial Museum Association (Visit this link)


USS Arizona Memorial

The Memorial is located about 2 miles west of the Honolulu Airport in Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. The Memorial is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and consists of a shoreside visitor center (VC), where the tours begin, and the Memorial located in Pearl Harbor. The Memorial is accessible only by the NPS tour from the visitor center.

The USS Arizona Memorial (USAR) is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941 when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. This loss of life represents over half of the Americans killed on this "Day of Infamy", the worst naval disaster in American History.

Kalaupapa

Kalaupapa National Historical Park, established by Congress in 1980, is a unit of the national park system. Managed by the National Park Service and the Hawai`i State Department of Health, the 10,700+ acre park is located on the north shore of the island of Moloka`i in the state of Hawai`i. The park contains the Kalaupapa peninsula, adjacent cliffs and valleys, and submerged lands and waters out to 1/4 mile from shore.

Included in this area are the historic Hansen's disease (leprosy) settlements at Kalaupapa and at Kalawao, made famous through the work of Belgian priest Joseph De Veuster (Father Damien). Hansen's disease patients living in Kalaupapa and elsewhere keep the history of the settlement alive through their memories and experiences. The park's cultural and natural resources have both national historic landmark and national natural landmark status because of their significance

In 1865 the Kalaupapa peninsula on Moloka`i was chosen by the kingdom of Hawai`i as the place of exile for Hansen's disease patients. A contributing factor was its isolation; surrounded on three sides by ocean and on the fourth side by the steep pali (cliffs), the peninsula could be reached only by boat or on foot from "topside" Moloka`i. Today access to the park remains limited by geography.

There is still no vehicular access as there are no roads in or out of the Kalaupapa peninsula. People arrive by boat or airplane, or by hiking or riding mules down and up the pali trail. There are no public facilities (camping, restaurants, stores). Overnight stays are limited to guests of residents.

Kalaupapa is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Hawai`i State Department of Health. Because Kalaupapa is home for many Hansen's disease patients, state law prohibits visitors from entering the settlement without a permit. No visitors under the age of 16 years are allowed. Visitors must be part of a guided tour (commercial tours are available), be an invited guest, or have special permission from the Department of Health to be in the settlement.

War in the Pacific - Guam

Like many other Pacific islands, Guam contains a number of historical features associated with World War II, especially the 1944 American liberation. The park itself consists of seven physically separated units, each providing a different insight into the Pacific War. They are located in or near the villages of Asan, Piti, and Agat, on the west side of the island facinq the Philippine Sea.

The Asan Beach Unit consists of 109 land acres and 445 water acres and is the site of the northern landing beaches. It was here that the 3rd Marine Division came ashore for the initial assault and was met by troops of the Japanese 320th Independent Infantry Battalion. War-related structures and sites, all associated with Japanese defenses, are located at Asan Point and Adelup Point.

The remains of some American military equipment lie underwater in the offshore area. Fishing, hiking, picnicking, and (for experienced persons) snorkeling and diving are permitted. Asan Point is a primary visitor area where the overall story of the Pacific War is told by means of museum exhibits. A shoreside view of the Asan landing beach and hillside battleground is located at this point. The Asan Inland Unit is directly opposite the Asan Beach Unit across Marine Drive. It was on the face of these cliffs and hillsides that the American landing forces met heavy resistance. Today, thick jungle growth or swordgrass savannah covers the area, making hiking fairly difficult. Historic sites, including a number of gun emplacements, caves, foxholes, and pillboxes, are located within this unit. There are, however, no facilities available to the public at this time. The Piti Unit is on the ridge behind the village of Piti and contains three Japanese coastal defense guns in good condition.

The Mt. Tenjo/Mt. Chachao Unit is on a ridge line between Mt. Tenjo and Mt. Chachao. This unit provides a scenic overview of the surrounding area, including Apra Harbor and Orote Point . The few historic remains here include foxholes and a World War I American gun emplacement. Hiking is permitted along the unimproved trail. The Agat Unit is the site of the southern landing beach. It was here that the First Provisional Marine Brigade and the 305th Regimental Combat Team of the 77th Army Division came ashore. They were met by the Japanese 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry. Apaca Point, Gaan Point, Bangi Point, and Bangi Island contain historic sites and structures, including caves, bunkers, latrine foundations, and more than 10 pillboxes, some in excellent condition. The beach and offshore area here are relatively unspoiled and provide a good impression of how they looked in 1944: Several pieces of American military equipment still lie underwater near the edge of the reef. Picnic areas are at Rizal Point and Apaca Point. Fishing, hiking, picnicking, and (for experienced persons) snorkeling and diving are also permitted.

The Mount Alifan Unit is behind the village of Agat. The slopes of these hills saw heavy fighting between the Marines and the defending Japanese forces. Today the area is covered with historic sites and debris. Access to the area is fairly difficult, allowing only limited hiking. The Fonte Plateau Unit, site of a former Japanese naval communications center, is currently undeveloped. Park headquarters and the T. Steil Newman Visitor Center were located in the Asan Beach Unit in the village of Asan before being wiped out by Super-typhoon Pongsonga in December of 2002. It is a testament to the power of this storm that Park Headquarters and the Visitor Center are still closed. Plans are advancing for a new museum and visitor center.

American Memorial Park - Saipan

American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. Over 5000 names are inscribed on a memorial which was dedicated June 15, 1994, during the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of Saipan. The Memorial rests at the park's Court of Honor and Flag Circle, where the U.S. flag proudly flies 24 hours a day, surrounded by the flags of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. As a "living memorial", the park offers activities, such as baseball, bicycling, running, tennis, picnicking, and swimming, enjoyed over half a century ago by American service men and women. Within the 133-acre boundary are beaches, sports fields, picnic sites, boat marinas, playgrounds, walkways, and a 30-acre wetland and mangrove forest.

Under Public Law 94-241, the “Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America” set aside land at Tanapag Harbor to be administered by the National Park Service.

As Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service, wrote in her message to the 60th Anniversary of the World War II Battles for Saipan and Tinian participants:

“Those of us who wear the uniform of the National Park Service are proud to preserve the history of the Marianas Campaign and the defense of Saipan and Tinian and the history of the Pacific theatre of operations in World War II. We are proud to play a part in telling the world of the immeasurable contributions made by military personnel and civilians who served in the defense of this strategic location; many making the ultimate sacrifice.

“On behalf of the men and women of the National Park Service, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for all that you did to preserve our freedom. Many of you struggled ashore amid a hail of bullets or provided air support or support from the sea. Many others operated civilian defenses or worked behind the scenes and risked your lives to defend your homeland. To all of you, we say thank you.”

http://www.arizonamemorial.org





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