USS Missouri Memorial Association

USS Missouri Memorial Association
Name	USS Missouri Memorial Association
Formation	1998
Location	Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Key people	Michael W. Carr (President & CEO)
Focus	Preservation and operation of the USS Missouri (BB-63) museum
Website	www.ussmissouri.org

USS Missouri Memorial Association. The USS Missouri Memorial Association is a non-profit organization responsible for the preservation, maintenance, and public operation of the historic battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) as a museum and memorial. Founded in 1998, the association manages the ship at its permanent berth on Ford Island within the Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark, adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial. Its mission centers on educating visitors about the ship's pivotal role in World War II and 20th-century naval history, most famously as the site of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.

History

The association was formed following the United States Navy's decision to donate the decommissioned battleship to a non-profit entity for use as a museum. After an extensive selection process, the Secretary of the Navy awarded the custodianship to the newly established group, which oversaw the ship's preparation and tow from Bremerton to Hawaii. The move, completed in 1998, strategically placed the "Mighty Mo" near the USS Arizona (BB-39) memorial, creating a profound historical narrative bookending American involvement in World War II. The association opened the ship to the public in January 1999, coinciding with the anniversary of Hawaii Statehood.

Organization and mission

Governed by a board of directors comprising community leaders, veterans, and historians, the association operates under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Navy. Its core mission is to preserve the USS Missouri (BB-63) as a living museum and war memorial that honors the service and sacrifice of all who served aboard her. Educational programming is a central pillar, aiming to inspire future generations through the stories of crew members across three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War.

USS Missouri (BB-63) as a museum ship

The battleship itself is the primary artifact and exhibit. The association maintains the vessel in a condition that reflects its final active-duty configuration from the Gulf War. Key historical areas are preserved and interpreted, most notably the Surrender Deck on the starboard side of the ship, where General of the Army Douglas MacArthur accepted the surrender of the Empire of Japan on September 2, 1945. Other significant spaces include the bridge, Combat Information Center, and the massive 16"/50 caliber Mark 7 gun turrets.

Visitor experience and exhibits

Visitors access the ship via shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and can explore multiple decks on guided or self-guided tours. Exhibits throughout the ship feature extensive artifact collections, oral histories, and interactive displays detailing life at sea, naval engineering, and key battles like the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. The "Mighty Mo" tour often includes viewing the plaque marking the exact surrender site and exploring the captain's cabin used by Captain (United States) William M. Callaghan.

Financial operations and support

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the association relies primarily on revenue from ticket sales, membership programs, and donations, rather than direct government funding. It also engages in fundraising campaigns for major restoration projects, such as dry-docking and hull preservation. Corporate partnerships and grants from entities like the Historic Hawaii Foundation provide critical support. Financial stewardship is directed toward the immense ongoing costs of conserving a steel warship in a salt water environment.

Significance and recognition

The association's work ensures the USS Missouri serves as a powerful national symbol of the end of World War II and the enduring legacy of the United States Pacific Fleet. The ship is a designated National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its placement within the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument—now part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial—creates a unique historical continuum, allowing visitors to reflect on the beginning and end of the Pacific War.

Category:Museum associations in the United States Category:Maritime museums in Hawaii Category:Non-profit organizations based in Hawaii