Before they made the Eames Chair, one of the most iconic lounge chairs in contemporary furniture design created in the 1950s, designers Charles and Ray Eames worked on creating innovative solutions for items used by our troops during World War II.

One of their war effort contributions was this leg splint which was commissioned by the US Navy in 1942. This design used ground-breaking technology to mold and shape lightweight plywood, replacing bulky and uncomfortable metal splints and was modeled after Charles’s own leg.

Visitors will be able to see this artifact on display in our exhibit Road to Tokyo opening this Saturday, December 12. Learn more about what you’ll find in this immersive exhibit on the Pacific Theater here: http://bit.ly/1N68xaz

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3:40 PM

An unidentified US serviceman with native children on Guadalcanal in 1942. Gift of Irene Moran, from the collection of The National WWII Museum.


A hand shake and presentation of a plaque to native islanders on the Solomon Islands. 4 April 1944. U.S. Navy Official photograph, Gift of Charles Ives, from the collection of The National WWII Museum


Women in beaded clothing possibly in Accra, Ghana in the 1940s. Gift of Jason Sloan, from the collection of The National WWII Museum.


Guamanian child riding water buffalo on road; child holds a rope lead for the animal as well. Guam, circa 1945. Gift of Delores Libby, from the collection of The National WWII Museum.

In a time before the internet and easier means of travel, going to serve in World War II took many young Americans far away from home exposing them to new cultures completely foreign to them for the first time.

Uncover these unique glimpses into life around the world during the 1940s taken by the American men and women who were there serving in World War II: http://bit.ly/ww2online

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11:57 AM

Paving the way for ‪#‎RosaParks‬, African American men and women spoke out against our nation’s discriminatory practices and made prominent steps towards equality during the WWII-era.

Learn about the progress and setbacks they faced during this time across the Home Front and the battlefields in our award-winning special exhibit Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII on view through May 30, 2016.

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12:26 PM

Just 2 years ago this month, we launched our Digital Collections that houses over 500 hours of oral histories and over 10,000 photographs from WWII for free browsing among the public. Uncover more stories from the war-era. Browse our online collection: http://bit.ly/ww2online

See how we’ve grown in the past 15 years as a Museum: http://bit.ly/1Jrjqoo

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12:01 PM

Since the opening of our immersive exhibit Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries last December, we’ve been full steam ahead in bringing the Pacific Theater to life in our upcoming exhibit Road to Tokyo. Take a peek at this unfinished glimpse in the Pacific Theater Galleries, opening in two weeks on December 12!

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8:18 AM

Jack Tucker enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at age 17, stationed on SC-505 (a “submarine chaser”) and later various submarines. His diary, including notes on his wartime experiences as well as sketches in his hand, features a unique cover made from aluminum salvaged from a downed Japanese plane.

In less than three weeks, this journal will be on display in our upcoming exhibit Road to Tokyo, which tells the stories of the Pacific Theater beginning December 12.

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11:47 AM

German Pz.III Ausf. L Medium Tank

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3:42 PM

Merchant mariners played a critical role in World War II by carrying supplies, weapons, and troops from the United States to support American forces abroad. This December the Museum will open a long awaited exhibit honoring their often forgotten contribution to the war effort.

Learn more about the Merchant Marine efforts in the LTJG Ralph E. Crump Merchant Marine Gallery opening this December 12.

Image: Gift In Memory “Ham” Hamilton, from the collection of The National WWII Museum.

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11:46 AM

American Browning M2HB anti-aircraft machine gun

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3:08 PM