Launched in 1944, the USS Missouri was the last battleship ever commissioned by the United States. It served on and off for some 50 years, and when it was finally decommissioned in 1992, it was transformed into a museum ship. Today, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is a popular component of the Pearl Harbor historic sites. Visitors can tour the battleship—most famous for being the site where Japan officially surrendered to end World War II—and enjoy a series of educational exhibits, informative displays, and historic artifacts.
Battleship Missouri Memorial History
The USS Missouri was one of six Iowa-class battleships commissioned by the United States Navy across the years 1939 and 1940. Launched in 1944, the Missouri saw prominent action during the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa, as well as throughout the Korean War; famously, its deck was where the formal surrender of Japan took place on September 2, 1945, a development which brought a complete end to World War II. The Missouri was decommissioned in 1955, only to see a surprise return to active duty some 30 years later. After serving the Navy once more during Operation Desert Storm, the Missouri was decommissioned for good this time in 1995.
The United States Navy donated the USS Missouri to the USS Missouri Memorial Association in 1998. After a year’s worth of work spent moving the ship from a Puget Sound shipyard to Pearl Harbor, where it was carefully repaired and restored, the Battleship Missouri Memorial opened to the public in the summer of 1999. Over the course of the ensuing quarter-century, some nine million visitors have toured the attraction.
What’s at the Battleship Missouri Memorial
There are numerous permanent exhibits located at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. These include Divine Wind: Kamikaze and the Battle for the Pacific, which tells the story of a military burial that was given by United States troops for a kamikaze pilot who struck the Missouri on April 11, 1945; The Crew’s Room, a fascinating look at everyday life on the ship for crewmembers serving on the Missouri from the 1940s to the 1980s; and the Chief Petty Officers Legacy Center, where you can view artifacts like weapons, uniforms, and medals of honor right where the Navy Chiefs once went about their business.
Other popular permanent displays worth exploring here are an exhibit dedicated to World War II and multiple exhibits found in the ship’s wardroom that showcase fragments recovered from the wreckage of the USS Arizona. The Battleship Missouri Memorial also routinely hosts a variety of temporary exhibits and displays that rotate in and out from time to time.
There are a couple food options located on land right alongside the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Slider’s Grill is a popular local food truck that serves hamburgers, sandwiches, fish tacos, and an assortment of Hawaiian plate lunches. Wai Momi Shave Ice stand is the place to go for a refreshing dessert, slice of pizza, or tasty churro. Food isn’t allowed on the Missouri itself, but there’s seating near both these establishments where you can enjoy your meal and a great view of Pearl Harbor.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial gift shop features all types of Missouri-related items that make for terrific souvenirs. You’ll have here your pick of themed apparel, collectible coins, ornaments, flags, commemorative Pearl Harbor merchandise, and more. There are also kid-friendly products like games, books, and building blocks.
Tips for Visiting the Battleship Missouri Memorial
*Just like all the other Pearl Harbor-affiliated attractions, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has a strict no-bags policy. And when they say no bags allowed, they mean it: this includes even travel staples like purses, backpacks, and diaper bags. As a result, you’ll need to pay a small fee to check your bags at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial before you board the shuttle to the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
*The Battleship Missouri Memorial is docked at Ford Island—an active military base. To access it, you’ll need park at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. From there, you can catch a complimentary shuttle to Ford Island; it departs from near the entrance to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Much of the is parking is paid but some of the lots further away from the entrance are free.
*While visitors are permitted to wear sandals when touring the Battleship Missouri Memorial, it is recommended that you instead opt for a comfortable pair of walking shoes. The battleship is massive: if you were to explore every aspect of the Missouri in its entirety your self-guided tour could last upwards of five hours, so no matter how much time you budget here you’ll want to wear good shoes.
*Every general admission ticket to the Battleship Missouri Memorial entitles the bearer to enjoy a 35-minute guided tour of the attraction. Those visitors with a special interest in the site—or who simply want to learn even more about the rich history of this remarkable battleship—may want to consider upgrading their experience to include a themed guided tour. These new Battleship Missouri Memorial products let visitors experience the ship as its captains or chief engineers would have, and are available for those guests over the age of 10 years old.
*The Battleship Missouri Memorial’s Captain’s Tour and Chief Engineer’s Tour both require visitors to wear closed-toe shoes. These tours aren’t recommended for those visitors with mobility concerns.