At Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Battleship Missouri Memorial will hold a 78th anniversary event on September 2, 2023, marking the end of World War II. The public is invited to attend.
WHAT:
78th Anniversary of the End of World War II
WHEN:
Saturday, September 2
9:02 a.m., Guests to be seated by 8:45 a.m.
WHERE:
Battleship Missouri Memorial, Fantail
Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
WHO:
Emcee:
Roy J. Yee
Former President, USS Missouri Memorial Association
Keynote Speaker:
Rear Admiral Blake L. Converse
Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Distinguished Guest Speaker:
Captain Ethan Fiedel
Production Resource Officer, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
Opening Address:
Rear Admiral Alma Grocki, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
USS Missouri Memorial Association Board of Directors
COST and ATTIRE:
Free and open to the public.
Summer Whites, Service Equivalent or Aloha Attire.
BASE ACCESS:
Complimentary round-trip shuttle service from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center beginning at 8:00 a.m. Parking at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is $7 per vehicle. Please note, bags are not allowed on the shuttle.
On Saturday, September 2, the Battleship Missouri Memorial extends an invitation to the public for a special ceremony to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event will take place aboard the renowned battleship in the historic waters of Pearl Harbor, where the war began for the United States.
During World War II, shipyards nationwide played a critical role in expanding shipbuilding capacity to support the war effort. This led to a significant workforce transformation, with women, minorities, and immigrants breaking traditional roles to construct warships. Their unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions played a pivotal role in changing the course of the war and had a lasting impact on shaping the post-war industrial and economic landscape, showcasing their extraordinary efforts and the strong community they formed during challenging times.
Roy J. Yee, the former president of the USS Missouri Memorial Association and an influential figure in bringing the Mighty Mo to Pearl Harbor as a memorial, will serve as the emcee for this year’s ceremony. Rear Admiral Alma Grocki, a distinguished naval officer and first woman from Hawai‘i appointed to the United States Naval Academy, will deliver the opening address.
The 78th commemoration ceremony will feature Rear Admiral Blake Converse as the keynote speaker, along with guest speaker Captain Ethan Fiedel. Rear Admiral Converse is a highly accomplished naval officer with extensive experience in nuclear submarine warfare and notable command assignments, currently serving as the deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He has received prestigious awards, including the Rear Admiral Jack N. Darby award for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence of Command in 2008.
Captain Ethan Fiedel, another accomplished naval officer, has a strong educational background, including degrees from the United States Naval Academy and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He currently serves as the Production Resources Officer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, overseeing a substantial workforce and ensuring efficient production and maintenance operations.
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 9-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Military, kamaaina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.
For information or reservations visit USSMissouri.org.
