Global War

Exhibit Information
  • Clock60 minutes
  • agesApproved for all ages
  • calendarPermanent Exhibit
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Confidence In Courage

1919-1945
The Global War Gallery portrays the Army’s role in the Allied victory during World War II. Visitors learn about the European and Pacific Theaters, technology, the Army’s air war, and the development of the atomic bomb. Key artifacts include the M4 Sherman “Cobra King” Tank and a Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), also known as a “Higgins Boat,“ that took part in the Normandy beach landings.

Artifact Highlights

Unique Artifact

U.S. Flag Fragment, Corregidor -This fragment was found when the 11th Airborne Division liberated Corregidor Island from the Empire of Japan in 1945. The remnant is thought to be from a flag burned to keep it from falling into Japanese hands during the 1942 invasion of the Philippines

Unique Artifact

Engraved Model 1910 Canteen -Pfc. Charles W. Treat of Company D, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, carried this canteen during campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He recorded his service by engraving the names of towns in the soft aluminum on the front and bottom of the canteen.

Unique Artifact

Cap. Gen. Douglas MacArthur -When appointed commander of United States Army Forces in the Far East in 1941, Gen. Douglas MacArthur commissioned this custom-made, khaki general officer’s dress cap.

Unique Artifact

Soldier’s Pocket Bible -Pfc. Melvin Nesteby, of the 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division, carried this pocket Bible on the Bataan Death March in April 1942. The Bible bears a Japanese censor’s mark.

Unique Artifact

Parachutist’s Steel Helmet -This helmet, recovered after Operation Market Garden, belonged to Capt. William G. Burd of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, who was killed on September 17, 1944.

Unique Artifact

Iron Reinforcing Bar, Trinity Test Site -This fragment of reinforcing bar is one of the surviving pieces of the 100-foot “Trinity” tower used to detonate the first atomic device at Alamogordo, N.M. on July 16, 1945.

“I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.”

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Soldier Profiles

Soldier Profiles
Pfc. Charles Baldwin, Jr.

Baldwin enlisted in the Army in August 1943. He was a radioman and forward observer…

Soldier Profiles
Sgt. Roger Cisneros

Cisneros joined the Army in 1943 when he was 19 years old. He wanted to…

Soldier Profiles
Capt. Charles B. MacDonald

MacDonald commanded an infantry rifle company during the Battle of the Bulge. Ordered to hold…

Soldier Profiles
Staff Sgt. Clarence E. Perry

Perry led an 81 mm mortar squad in the 366th Infantry. After providing airfield security…

Soldier Profiles
Tech. Sgt. Robert Carl Bursian

In September 1942, while attending the University of Michigan, Bursian enlisted in the U.S. Army…