Explore 14,000 square feet of exhibits that honor the veterans and home front supporters of World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Desert Storm and the War on Terror. Be sure to stop by the Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center’s Gift Shop, carrying items related to the Center.
Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center Highlights
The Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center boasts over 25 exhibits that use recreated environments, interactive videos, murals and two surround sound theater presentations to tell the stories of veterans from World War II and later conflicts whose sacrifices have maintained Americans’ freedoms. Start your visit to the history museum in the Pearl Harbor Presentation Room with an introductory film. Then, journey through the Museum and discover the story of America’s involvement in World War II. Large displays showcase the Museum’s collection of artifacts and thematic murals create the backdrop for interpretive materials. Interactive audiovisual programs explore the history of the war, the effect on local families and Richard Bong’s heroic service as well as recount the stories of survivors through oral histories.
P-38 Lightning
Of particular importance is the Center’s P-38 Lightning, one of the 30 P-38 Lightning fighter planes in existence today. Introduced in 1939, the P-38 Lightning had a wingspan of 52 feet and was powered by two 1,425-hp liquid-cooled engines with a top speed of 414 mph. It had twin tails and a center nacelle housing the pilot and main armament. Explore the Center’s P-38 Lightning manufactured at Lockheed’s Burbank, California plant in 1945. The fighter plane did not see combat, but was stationed at Air Force bases in Delaware, Ohio and Florida before being dropped from inventory in December of 1948. Features of the plane include: the armament at the front of the plane, equipped to hold four .50 caliber machine guns and one 20mm Hispano AN-M2C cannon; counter-rotating propellers; power plants, two 1425 horsepower V-1710-89/91 Allison in-line engines; and the cockpit with lynn-3 reflector sight mounting, a pilot’s armored seat and an optically flat bullet-proof windscreen.
Commemorative Tile Gallery
Honor veterans on the home front and on the frontline in the Commemorative Tile Gallery. The Tile Gallery features a tiled wall at its center. Dark green granite tiles hold four panels with each panel containing the name of one veteran, serving as a permanent reminder of the men and women who served their country.
Be sure to stop by the Gift Shop. Gifts and keepsakes including a wide selection of books and DVDs, prints and apparel related to World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Desert Storm and the War on Terror are available to purchase.
Travel Tip
- The Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center is ADA compliant.