Ford Island's Battleship Row: Since 1999, Missouri has rested in the spot where the USS Oklahoma sat when she was torpedoed and sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Since the Mighty Mo suffered only minimal damage throughout her long career, she offers a fantastic opportunity for you to get a first-hand look at life aboard a huge warship. You can go below decks for a taste of what life was like for the sailors within their tight quarters.
Visit the plaque on the Surrender Deck which served as the site where representatives of the Empire of Japan signed the documents ending World War II on September 2, 1945.
The Crew’s Room: Ever wonder what it was like living aboard a battleship? The preserved Crew’s Room showcases a collection of artifacts donated by former USS Missouri crew members, within the crew quarters. See how they lived at sea for so long, and which items were most important to them once their service on board started.
The Chief Petty Officers Legacy Center: The USS Missouri currently serves as a training center for future Chief Petty Officers, so it makes sense that there would be an exhibit dedicated to the history of the Chief Petty Officer— the individual responsible for keeping the crew functioning smoothly. In this exhibit, visitors learn about the history of the CPO and about some of the notable individuals who held the position.
Archives and Collections: This extensive collection of World War II relics brings to life the information about the Missouri’s service history, her crew, and the legacy she left behind. Read from the journal of ship’s baker Harold Campbell, and learn about the kamikaze attack on the Mighty Mo during the battle of Okinawa. New artifacts are added frequently, ensuring that this collection of relics is constantly expanding.
The Korean War - USS Missouri fired her guns during the Korean Conflict. The Battleship Missouri’s service history extended well beyond World War II. This exhibit details her part in the Korean War, including information on her two tours of duty.
The story of the USS Missouri begins before World War II in 1940. She was built over the next four years and was commissioned in 1944. Senator Harry Truman’s daughter Margaret Truman christened the ship named after their home state.
After launching the Missouri she left the east coast through the Panama Canal to San Francisco, then Hawai‘i, to join the Pacific Fleet in Asia. She supported the troops landing in Iwo Jima.
The Missouri raided Japan and attacked Okinawa. She successfully stopped an attack by Japanese forces on the shores of Okinawa. Just weeks later on April 11, 1944, a Kamikaze plane hit the starboard side of the Battleship USS Missouri. Fortunately for the sailors, the plane did not explode or cause major damage to the ship. The kamikaze dent can still be seen on the ship today. Visitors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial can also enjoy a new exhibit about WWII kamikaze pilots.
The Missouri is perhaps best- known for her contribution in the surrender of the Empire of Japan at Tokyo Bay ending WWII. If you take a tour of the Battleship USS Missouri, you can walk on the Surrender Deck and learn more stories about the historic surrender.
On September 2, 1945, representatives of the United States and the Allied Nations met with Japanese officials for the signing of the Instrument of Surrender. It was the event that officially ended World War II. The ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63), a battleship that would go on to have a long and successful service. After being decommissioned and retired from active service, the Mighty Mo found her way to Pearl Harbor to become a museum ship.
Over the next decade, the Mighty Mo logged significant miles as she traveled the world. She was put in the Pacific Reserve Fleeting in 1955 for almost thirty years before she was modernized and activated again.
The vibrant history of the Mighty Mo has enamored Americans for years. In 1998 she was moved to Pearl Harbor and the Battleship Missouri Memorial opened in 1999. She has taken a position as an icon of peacekeeper, watching over her fallen allies still in the hull of the USS Arizona just 400 yards away.
There have been four other vessels of the United State Navy that share the name USS Missouri. The first one is USS Missouri (1841), a side-wheel frigate released in 1841 and damaged by fire in Aug 1843. Second, USS Missouri (BB-11), a Maine category battleship in service from 1990 to 1992, The third is the USS Missouri (BB-63), an lowa Class battleship in service from 1944 to 1998; Lastly, the USS Missouri (SSN-780) a Virginia class submarine commissioned in 2010.
After being decommissioned, the “Mighty Mo” was returned to Pearl Harbor as a museum ship. Exploring the battleship gives visitors a look at how the crew lived while at sea. They also learn about the Missouri’s service history through the following exhibits.
What may confuse some is that Missouri wasn’t commissioned into service until 1944, long after the Imperial Japanese Navy launched the attack on Pearl Harbor. While it might seem odd that a vessel that hadn’t even been built on December 7, 1941, found a home at the location of the Japanese attack, it’s important to remember that Pearl Harbor is more than the site of the attack that launched the War in the Pacific. It’s a place of symbolism, where the USS Arizona Memorial remembers the tragic event that started the conflict. On the opposite end of that arc, there is the Battleship Missouri, which commemorates the end of the war, the immense sacrifices made, and hope for the future.
This is our advice for anywhere that you plan to tour. The more you know, the more enjoyable it is. For example, did you know that it was on the decks of the Battleship Missouri that the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo Bay ending WWII took place?
There you’ll find current security information, including rules that you cannot drive your rental car to the USS Missouri and that bags of any kind are not allowed. It is important to be aware before going.
Remember, no bags of any size are allowed anywhere at Pearl Harbor, including on the Missouri. Backpacks, camera bags, purses, luggage, and fanny packs must all be left at the baggage storage at the entrance to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
While the Missouri has plenty of shade, there are areas of the Battleship that are in direct sunlight. You don’t want to miss out one those sights because you are unprepared for the powerful Hawaiian sun.
Look over the port side of the Battleship Missouri to see the dent left by a failed kamikaze. There is now an exhibit at the memorial about kamikazes of WWII. Have a look at it as well.
She was the star of the movie Battleship. Perhaps you didn’t watch this big-budget film when it came out, but you should now because it has great footage of the Missouri. Another film with good shots of the ship is Under Siege with Steven Segal.
This is not one of the most-visited sites at Pearl Harbor, but it is a well-designed memorial to the men who died on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. A visit can be done in 5 minutes after touring the Battleship Missouri.
Everybody needs sustenance, and wandering around a huge World War II-era battleship is sure to get the appetite going. Near the Battleship Missouri, guests will find Slider’s Grill for a Chicago hot dog or perfectly grilled cheeseburger. Wai Momi Shave Ice complements that burger with flavorful and colorful shaved ice or even a cinnamon-laced churro. For simple drinks and snacks, there’s the Battleshop, a sort of convenience store for Battleship Missouri guests.
While you’re free to wear what you find comfortable, please use common sense when dressing for your visit. It’s not appropriate for a place like Pearl Harbor to wear a bathing suit or clothing with profanity. Not only is the Battleship Missouri a family attraction, but it’s also one that deserves respect for its place in US history.
Most areas of the Battleship Missouri are handicap-accessible with wheelchair ramps and elevators that take guests to the various levels including the spot where the Japanese signed the Instrument of Surrender ending World War II.
