5 Star Admiral, Commander of the Pacific Fleet for the United States and Commander of the Pacific Ocean Areas for the United States and Allies during World War II
Admiral Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1905. His first choice was West Point but no appointments were available. I would say the Army lost and the Navy won that one. The hotel his grandfather built is still there and the home of the Nimitz Museum. Behind that museum is the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Once before we had stopped to tour the museum after lunch at a local restaurant. Our first clue that this wasn't a small town museum was when the volunteer told us that the ticket was good for two days. Oh. We put it on the list for our vacation when we could give it the attention it deserves.
Before even getting inside we were drawn first to the garden beside the Nimitz Museum and then to the memorial walk beside the Museum of the Pacific War.
The Memorial Wall
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, United States navy,
requested that this museum be dedicated to all who served
with him in the Pacific war. The plaques on these walls
commemorate those who served - individuals, ships and
units from all branches of service - some who returned to
celebrate the victory and some who gave their lives.
In their honor a donation has been made to the
Admiral Nimitz Foundation.
Two of the bricks that formed the walkway caught my eye.
J. C. McGuire simply because that is the maiden name of my runaround and get in trouble buddy, Pat.
The other is Rosie the Riveter. Rosie the Riveter was an imaginary woman who represented the thousands of real women that manned the factories and businesses while the men went to war.
After checking out the memorial wall wander over to the Plaza of the Presidents and pay your respects to the ten presidents who served during WW-II
PRESIDENTS WHO SERVED DURING WWII
| Frankin D. Roosevelt, Commander in Chief | Richard M. Nixon, U.S. Navy |
| Harry S. Truman, Commander in Chief | Gerald R. Ford, U.S. Navy |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. Army | James Earle Carter, Jr., U.S. Navy |
| John F. Kennedy, U.S. Navy | Ronald Reagan, U.S. Army |
| Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. Navy | George H. W. Bush, U.S. Navy |
Out front of the building are displays like the mast of one ship. As you can tell behind the mast it was a beautiful day to be tourists.
The torpedo bay from another.
and a propeller from another, with the memorial walls behind.
Once you get inside you understand why the tickets were good for two days. I usually sail through a museum like I do garage sales, zip zap and stopping when something catches my eye. This time I strolled, looking at every item along the way. Throughout there are benches to sit down and rest a minute or wait for husbands that read every placard to catch up with you. (not pointing fingers here really)
A canteen like those used during WW-II.
Admiral Nimitz's corncob pipe.
A gas mask - sort of silly now, but wonder if it would have protected against the airborne chemicals they had back then.
Besides the threat of inhaled gases, there was also the threat of chemicals that would burn the skin. A phosphorus bomb was a popular way to target building for the big boys to come blow up. It was highly incendiary and the phosphorus "shrapnel" would cling to skin causing extreme burning. This would take combatants out of combat as well as those tending to them.
Napalm was also used during WW-II. It was also a highly incendiary tool and would burn for long periods. Anything, including humans, became torches if covered in Napalm.
The war was fought in the air as well.....
B-25
A tiger
Japanese fighter
Wildcat
This is actually in the zone exhibit a couple of blocks away, but it fits in with the other planes. This is President Papa Bush's plane.
And they fought on the ground with tanks and Vickers M-1's
and on the sea.
A door from the U.S.S. Arizona
Up periscope!!
Talk about a tragedy for a family. The five Sullivan brothers, from Waterloo, Iowa, (l-r in the above photo) Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George were all lost in WW-II following the November 13, 1942 battle of Guadacanal and the sinking of the USS Juneau.
Four of the brothers were killed in the initial blast, while the fifth, George, survived the attack although seriously wounded. He made it to a life raft but after 5 days at sea died from his injuries, shark attack, or exhaustion.
The USS The Sullivans was commissioned and named for the Sullivan brothers. The ship was given the motto "We Stick Together" in honor of the statement of the Sullivan brothers when it was suggested they not serve together. Untrue is that their deaths resulted in a bill, The Sullivan Act, being passed disallowing siblings to be assigned to the same ship.
Of course peace was reached, a treaty signed, and Japan and the United States became bosum buddies.
Adjacent to the museum is a Japanese peace garden.
The Japanese Garden of Peace is a gift from the military leaders of Japan to the people of the United States, in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. A traditional Japanese garden, three basic elements are represented: stone, plants and water. As you enter the garden you are transported to a replica of Admiral Togo's garden in Japan. Togo's meditation study was duplicated in Japan, disassembled and shipped to Fredericksburg, then reassembled (without nails) by the same craftsmen who built it in Japan.
Description taken from the home page of the National Museum of the Pacific War
The Garden of Peace is a gift
to the people of the United
States from the people of Japan
with prayers for everlasting
world peace through the goodwill
of our two nations, symbolized by
the friendship and respect that
existed between Admiral Togo
and Admiral Nimitz.
Just a few shots of the Japanese Peace Garden
Bear in mind that this garden is located right off the main street of Fredericksburg, Texas, a very popular tourist town. This was in the summer when there was a lot of activity going on in town and it was still quiet and peaceful here.
It did indeed take two days to see most of it...we still didn't have a chance to see everything. It is handicap accessible, and like I said earlier, benches placed throughout if you need to sit. On a scale of 1-10 of places to visit I would give this one a 14.
A couple of blocks away they have an area set up with bunkers, tanks, jeeps and do reenactments during the year. Another very interesting place to visit and included in the price of the ticket.
You didn't want to tick those guys off. If I remember right the colors represented strength or something.
This is one of the areas that they hold reenactments. We were a week too early.
Reinforced bunker area with big mama fire power.
The crosses respresent the different branches of the service as well as the Merchant Marines. On each cross is written the number killed, as well as those MIA or wounded. They are numbers but they are also sons, husbands, daughters, and friends. God bless each of them.
And that folks is the end of our west Texas trip. The armadillo aroma finally left the car, the car finally got traded in for a decent one, and we got home tired, broke and had a butt load of photos to play with. I hope you enjoyed the trip.
I am heading out next week (9/20 - 9/21) for some fun so will post those pictures and stories after I get back. Until then....
Listen for those whispers as you drive down those back roads, you never know what they will say.
