The National Museum of the Pacific War

My wife and I visited the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg when we admired the beautiful Texas Hill Country in November 2020. The museum was stocked with fine exhibits, vintage artifacts, and handsome models of World War II weapons, planes, and naval carriers. Despite not being an avid history nerd like me, my wife also thoroughly enjoyed walking around this fantastic museum. The museum tells the story of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and the Pacific Front. Over 830,000 Texans (which included 12,000 women) partook in the war effort, and more than 23,000 Texans died for their country. Many of these servicemen and servicewomen were on the front lines in the Pacific Ocean, fighting the brutal Japanese armies and liberating islands during a military campaign called "Island Hopping." Since the Japanese refused to surrender after their gruesome defeat at the Iwo Jima islands in February/March 1945, the United States swiftly ended the war by dropping two atomic bombs on the Cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August, killing thousands of civilians. The European Front during WWII is regularly discussed in classrooms and textbooks, yet it is also important to remember that the United States was fighting a two-front conflict during the early 1940s. I did not know much about the Pacific War before visiting this museum, however, I am now interested to learn more about America's other frontal assault against the enemy and a small slither of Japan's illustrated history.

Headshot of Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of all U.S. Naval Forces on the Pacific Front. Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg and obtained a college degree at the U.S. Naval Academy. He created the first submarine base at Pearl Harbor and later led his soldiers to a string of island victories during the Pacific War. Nimitz was beloved by many peers, and was often photographed smiling and laughing with the soldiers. He was promoted to a five-star general rank after the war and signed the Japanese peace treaty aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. I admire Nimitz's dedication to country and family; he helped his wife raise 4 young children during his military ascent.

Pictured is the front of the museum. After the Japanese surrender, Admiral Chester Nimitz took to the podium to address his tired, yet elated soldiers: "Today all freedom-loving peoples of the world rejoice in the victory and feel pride in the accomplishments of our combined forces...Now we turn to the great tasks of reconstruction and restoration. I am confident that we will be able to apply the same skill, resourcefulness and keen thinking to these problems as were applied to the problems of winning the victory." 

The Nagasaki bomb razed most of the highly-populated city. Prior to this tragic event, Japan's leaders were strongly opposed to unconditional surrender. Their consistent goal was a negotiated peace that would preserve the Imperial Throne and military establishment. In spring 1945, the emperor proposed launching a new offensive in China and initiating a peace treaty with the Soviet Union. However, Stalin wanted war, and these ambitious plans failed. The Japanese were hopeless and in despair. Surrender was their best option after August 9, 1945.

A replica of "Fat Man," the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Between 39,000 and 80,000 people were killed that day. Since this was the second atomic bomb that was dropped on Japan, the Imperial Government surrendered on August 15, effectively ending WWII.

A Marine Corps outfit worn by an American soldier during the Battle of Iwo Jima in February/March 1945. The five-week battle saw some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting during WWII; over 24,000 American and Japanese soldiers were killed, and many more wounded or declared missing. Since the Americans took the island, the Islands of Japan became more venerable to direct attacks. Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph of the six Marines raising the American flag was taken at Iwo Jima.

A 1944 photograph of an American landing craft. Soldiers also traveled via vessels/sea crafts during their "Island Hopping" campaign. Since the waters were choppy, it was not unusual for soldiers to often feel seasick.

A replica of a WWII jeep. This vehicle was constructed by women. Between 1942 and 1944, the number of women working in American military factories increased 37 percent. One might have seen the "Rosie the Riveter" image on their streets; this was created for the government's mobilization effort.

Since the Pacific Ocean covers so much ground, American soldiers had to often travel via aircraft. The museum houses a massive bomber plane, which not only was used to transport ground forces, but was also utilized in raids on Japanese cities and industrial areas.

Artifacts and military gear of a WWII Japanese soldier. Not all Japanese soldiers treated American prisoners harshly; some shared food and cigarettes, and failed to carry out execution orders.

A replica of a powerful automatic machine gun used by American soldiers on the Pacific Front.

After two years of neutrality, the United States entered the war on the Allies side when Japanese planes attacked American naval vessels at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Japanese knew that they had to attack the United States if they were to grow their Pacific Empire; "Japan must be willing to fight America to achieve our national objectives," Lieutenant Colonel Ishiwara Kanji once said. After four hours, the Japanese fighters had shattered the American Pacific fleet; four battleships sunk, two seriously damaged, and two others sustained serious damage. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed, and over 2,400 seamen and officers were killed. Following President FDR's famous "a date which will live in infamy" speech, Congress promptly declared war on Japan.

A model of the USS Arizona. Commissioned on October 17, 1916, the USS Arizona was one of the escort ships in President Woodrow Wilson's entourage to Europe following World War I before it was transferred to Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, Japanese torpedo bombers struck the USS Arizona, causing the large vessel to sink, along with 1,177 officers and seamen. A memorial now sits on top of the ship's damaged hull.

Doris "Dorie" Miller, hero of Pearl Harbor. Miller was born on a farm outside of Waco, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1939 (when Nazi Germany invaded Poland). He was assigned to the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor prior to the 1941 attack. At 6 foot, 3 inches, and 225 pounds, "Dorie" was known to be a champion boxer on the ship's decks. After his captain was mortally wounded during the Japanese attack, Miller, who had no gunnery training, began firing a machine gun and blasted a few enemy places from the sky. Owing to his heroic efforts, Miller was the first African-American to be awarded the U.S. Navy Cross. He was later killed in a submarine attack in November 1943.

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 brought the world to its knees. Japan suffered during the early years of the Great Depression and its economy crippled. In an effort to restore its national pride as well as collect natural resources, Japan launched an attack on Manchuria, China in September 1931. Owing to the brilliance of Japanese generals, like the one depicted above, the campaign was successful. With no opposition, Japan continued to grow its Pacific empire before the start of WWII. Japan also left the frail League of Nations, further jeopardizing world peace.

Japan has had a long, complicated history of emperors, royal dynasties, and power-hungry officials. Japan and Russia fought over Korea during the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War. President Teddy Roosevelt assisted in the treaty negotiations. The Japanese victory surprised the western empires and resulted in Japan's emergence as a superior naval superpower.