French & Indian War

Fort Necessity National Battlefield, PA: On July 3, 1754, in the wilderness of the Allegheny Mountains, Colonial troops commanded by 22-year-old Colonel George Washington were defeated in this small stockade at the "Great Meadow." This opening battle of the French and Indian War began a seven year struggle between Great Britain and France for control of North America. Great Britain's success in this war helped pave the way for the American Revolution. Fort Necessity National Battlefield is located in the mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania, about 11 miles east of Uniontown. The park comprises approximately 900 acres in three separate sites. The park recently opened a new state-of-the-art Interpretive and Education Center. The interactive exhibits connect the sacrifices of the men on this colonial battlefield to the creation and building of a new nation.

The American Revolution

Boston National Historical Park, MA: Boston National Historical Park is an association of sites that are indelibly linked with this nation’s military history. In Charlestown, the Bunker Hill Monument, site of the first major battle of the American Revolution fought on June 17, 1775. The Battle of Bunker Hill pitted a newly-formed and inexperienced colonial army against the more highly trained and better-equipped British. The battle is popularly known as "The Battle of Bunker Hill" although most of the fighting actually took place on Breed's Hill, the site of the existing monument and exhibit lodge. In South Boston, Dorchester Heights is significant for its role in the evacuation of the British from Boston during the Revolutionary War. On the night of March 4, 1776, colonial militia and local volunteers stealthily fortified the summit of Dorchester Heights. Wrapping their wagon wheels with straw to deaden the sound, they moved the cannon from Roxbury and entrenched them on the hills south of Boston. British General Howe planned an attack, but a violent storm prevented his soldiers from landing; within a few days, Howe, abandoned the city to Washington's forces.

Cowpens National Battlefield, SC: This site commemorates a decisive battle that helped turn the tide of war in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. On this field on January 17, 1781, Daniel Morgan led his army of tough Continentals, militia, and cavalry to a brilliant victory over Banastre Tarleton's force of British regulars. The battle at the "Cow Pens," one of only a few successful double envelopments in history, is recognized by historians as one of the most important of the American Revolution.

Fort Moultrie National Monument, SC: Fort Moultrie's history covers 171 years of seacoast defense, including the first decisive victory in the American Revolution and the firing onto Fort Sumter during the first battle of the Civil War. The third Fort Moultrie, built in 1809, stands today.

Fort Stanwix National Monument, NY: Known as "the fort that never surrendered," Fort Stanwix, under the command of Col. Peter Gansevoort, successfully repelled in August 1777 a prolonged siege by British, German, Loyalist, Canadian and American Indian troops and warriors commanded British Gen. Barry St. Leger. The repulsed siege combined with the battles at Oriskany, Bennington, and Saratoga thwarted a coordinated effort by the British, under the leadership of Gen. John Burgoyne, to take the northern colonies, and led to American alliances with France and the Netherlands. Troops from Fort Stanwix also participated in the 1779 Clinton-Sullivan Campaign and protected America's northwest frontier from British campaigns until 1781.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, IN: A classic memorial stands on the site of Fort Sackville to commemorate the capture of the fort from British Lt. Governor Henry Hamilton and his soldiers by Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark and his frontiersmen on February 25, 1779. The heroic march of Clark's men from Kaskaskia on the Mississippi in mid-winter and the subsequent victory over the British remains one of the great feats of the American Revolution. There is a visitor center adjacent to the memorial where one can see interpretive programs and displays.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, NC: The battle fought at the small North Carolina backcounty hamlet of Guilford Courthouse on Thursday, March 15, 1781, was the largest, most hotly-contested action of the Revolutionary War's climactic Southern Campaign. Guilford Courthouse proved to be the highwater mark of British military operations in the Revolutionary War. Weakened in his campaign against Greene, Cornwallis abandoned the Carolinas hoping for success in Virginia. At Yorktown, seven months after his victory at Guilford Courthouse, Lord Cornwallis would surrender to the combined American and French forces under General George Washington.

Kings Mountain National Military Park, SC: Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. The battle fought on October 7, 1780 destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis' army and effectively ended Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas. The victory halted the British advance into North Carolina, forced Lord Cornwallis to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina, and gave General Nathanael Greene the opportunity to reorganize the American Army.

Minute Man National Historical Park, MA: At Minute Man National Historical Park, the Battles of Lexington and Concord are brought to life through the preservation, restoration and interpretation of significant sites from "that famous day and year" when Colonists took up arms in defense of liberty and touched off the American Revolution. At Concord's North Bridge, visitors can see the place where, on April 19, 1775, Colonial militia men fired the famous "shot heard 'round the world."

Moores Creek National Battlefield, NC: The park commemorates the 1776 victory by 1,000 Patriots over 1,600 Loyalists at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. The battle ended Royal Governor Josiah Martin's hopes of regaining control of the colony for the British crown. The Loyalist defeat ended British plans for an invasionary force to land in Brunswick, North Carolina. The colony of North Carolina voted to declare independence from the British on April 12, 1776, shortly after the victory at Moores Creek. Established June 2, 1926.

Morristown National Historical Park , NJ: Attracted by Morristown’s strategic location, General George Washington twice chose Morristown as the site of the Continental Army’s main winter encampment during the War for Independence. The park includes the site of the fortification from the 1777 encampment, and most of the ground occupied during the vast 1779-80 encampment, where more than 10,000 troops endured the worst winter of the American Revolution. The Ford Mansion, where Washington made his headquarters, is an important feature of Morristown NHP and recalls civilian contributions to the winning of Independence.

Ninety Six National Historic Site, SC: Ninety Six figured prominently in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution because of the convergence of numerous roads and paths here.The first land battle south of New England was fought at Ninety Six in 1775 and in 1780; the British fortified the strategically important frontier town. From May 22 - June 18, 1781; Major General Nathanael Greene with 1,000 patriot troops staged the longest siege of the Revolutionary War against more than 550 loyalist soldiers who were defending Ninety Six. The original earthen Star Fort constructed by the British in 1780, is one of the most impressive remaining fortifications from the American Revolution. The park contains vast archeological remains from the colonial and Revolutionary eras.

Saratoga National Historical Park, NY: Site of the first significant American military victory during the Revolution, the Battles of Saratoga ranks among the most decisive battles in world history. Here in 1777, American forces met, defeated and forced a major British army to surrender, an event which led France to recognize the independence of the United States and enter the war as a decisive military ally of the struggling Americans.

Valley Forge National Historical Park, PA: Of all the places associated with the American War for Independence, perhaps none has come to symbolize perseverance and sacrifice more than Valley Forge. The hardships of the encampment claimed the lives of one in ten, nearly all from disease. Despite the privations suffered by the army at Valley Forge, Washington and his generals built a unified professional military organization that ultimately enabled the Continental Army to triumph over the British. Perhaps one of Washington’s soldiers said it best when he described his reasons for not abandoning the field despite the harsh conditions: "We had engaged in the defense of our wounded country and . . . we were determined to persevere." Private Joseph Plumb Martin, 8th Connecticut regiment, December 1777.

Yorktown Battlefield (Colonial National Historical Park), VA: Yorktown Battlefield is the site of the final, major battle of the American Revolutionary War and symbolic end of Colonial English America. On this battlefield, between September 28 and October 19, 1781, General George Washington and his allied American and French army of 17,600 troops surrounded and besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’ 8,300 British, German and American loyalist forces, who were fortified within the port of Yorktown. American and French artillery crews fired over 15,000 rounds of siege artillery upon the British continuously for nine days. On October 17, Lord Cornwallis, seeing the futility of risking further destruction of his army, requested a cease-fire to discuss surrender terms. Two days later, his army marched out of their defenses to an open field, now known as “Surrender Field,” stacked their weapons and became prisoners of war.

The War of 1812

Chalmette Battlefield ( Jean Lafitte National Historical Park), LA: Preserves the site of the January 8, 1815, Battle of New Orleans, a decisive American victory over the British at the end of the War of 1812. The adjacent National Cemetery is the final resting place for soldiers from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam.

Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine, Baltimore, MD: The valiant defense of the fort by 1,000 dedicated Americans inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” – the National Anthem. In spite of the “rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air” the defenders of Fort McHenry stopped the British advance on Baltimore and helped to preserve the United States of America – “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Following the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, the fort never again came under attack. However, it served in nearly every major American war through World War II. Exhibits detail the fort’s use as a political prison during the Civil War and Army hospital during World War I. It became an area administered by the National Park Service in 1933, two years after Key's poem became this country's National Anthem.

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, AL: On the morning of 27 March 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men consisting of Tennessee militia, United States regulars and both Cherokee and Lower Creek allies attacked Chief Menawa and 1,000 Upper Creek or Red Stick warriors fortified in the "horseshoe" bend of the Tallapoosa River. As the Cherokee and Lower Creek warriors swam the Tallapoosa and attacked from the rear, Jackson launched the militia and regular soldiers against the barricade. Facing overwhelming odds, the Red Sticks fought bravely yet ultimately lost the battle. This was the final battle of the Creek War of 1813-14, which is considered part of the War of 1812. In a peace treaty signed after the battle, both the Upper and Lower Creeks were forced to give the United States nearly 20 million acres of land in what is today Alabama and Georgia.

Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, OH: On September 10, 1813, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry defeated and captured a British squadron of warships at the Battle of Lake Erie. The battle, fought during the War of 1812, secured control of Lake Erie for the United States and enabled General William Henry Harrison to conduct a successful invasion of Western Upper Canada. Harrison subsequently defeated the British and Indians at the Thames River on October 5, 1813. The dual victories of Lake Erie and the Thames provided an important morale boost to the young country and gave the United States a much stronger bargaining position at the peace talks. The Treaty of Ghent, signed on Christmas Eve 1814, ended the War 1812.

The Mexican-American War

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, TX: The park preserves the 3,400-acre scene of this clash between nations and informs visitors about its national and international importance. As the only unit of the National Park Service with a primary focus on the U.S.-Mexican War, Palo Alto Battlefield also interprets the entire conflict--including the details of its origins and the broad range of consequences.

The American Civil War

Andersonville National Historic Site, GA: Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was officially known, was one of the largest of many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. It was built early in 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Federal prisoners kept in and around Richmond, Virginia, to a place of greater security and a more abundant food supply. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements. Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is the only park in the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history.

Antietam National Battlefield, MD: Established by Act of Congress on August 30, 1890, this Civil War site marks the end of General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North in September 1862. The battle claimed more than 23,000 men killed, wounded, and missing in one single day, September 17,1862, and led to Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, VA: Walk the old country lanes where Robert E. Lee, Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered his men to Ulysses Grant, General-in-Chief of all United States forces, on April 9, 1865. Imagine the events that signaled the end of the Southern States' attempt to create a separate nation. The National Park encompasses approximately 1800 acres of rolling hills in rural central Virginia. The site includes the McLean home (surrender site) and the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia, the former county seat for Appomattox County.

Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, MS: T his one-acre site commemorates a battle which had one objective-- make impossible the threat of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest to interfere with General William T. Sherman's railroad supply line from Nashville to Chattanooga during the Atlanta campaign. The battle was considered a major tactical victory for the Confederacy, but did not diminish the effectiveness of Sherman's campaign as supplies continued to flow. The site contains a brochure dispenser, two artillery pieces, a monument to the battle, and an interpretive wayside.

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, VA: The park preserves the site of the Battle of Cedar Creek, or Belle Grove, fought on October 19, 1864. It was one of the final, and most decisive, battles in the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1864 during the American Civil War. This victory by Union forces had major political implications, as well in contributing to the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln. The Plantation of Belle Grove was at the center of the decisive battle of Cedar Creek. In addition to the battlefield itself, the Belle Grove Plantation permits the story of the battle, the Shenandoah Valley, and the way of life in America before, during, and after the Civil War. The site also includes a significant Manor House and a slave cemetery, among many other important elements.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, GA/TN: On these fields and hills, Union and Confederate armies clashed during the fall of 1863 in some of the hardest fighting of the Civil War. The prize was Chattanooga, key rail center and gateway to the heart of the Confederacy. The campaign that brought the armies here began late in June 1863 when General William S. Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland, almost 60,000 strong, moved from Murfreesboro, Tennessee against General Braxton Bragg's 43,000 Confederates dug in 20 miles to the southwest defending the road to Chattanooga.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield, TN: Established by Congress in 1928, Fort Donelson National Battlefield commemorates the 1862 Battle of Fort Donelson where the Union army gained its first major victory of the Civil War and opened a path to the heart of the Confederacy. The park is located in northwest middle Tennessee in the town of Dover on the west bank of the Cumberland River.  Approximately 20% of the core battlefield is contained within the park's 558 acres.  Protected within the acreage are an earthen Confederate fort, river batteries, outer rifle pits, and the Surrender House (Dover Hotel) used during the battle.

Fort Sumter National Monument, SC: The Civil War provides the United States with one of its critical defining moments that continues to play a vital role in defining ourselves as a Nation. Fort Sumter is the place where it began. America's most tragic conflict ignited at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, when a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into civil war.

F redericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park , VA: Fredericksburg , Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania—this is the bloodiest landscape in North America. No place more vividly reflects the Civil War’s tragic cost, in all its forms. A city bombarded, bloodied, and looted. Farms large and small ruined. Refugees by the thousands forced to the countryside. More than 85,000 men wounded; 15,000 killed—most now in graves unknown. The fading scars of battle, the homeplaces of bygone families, and the granite tributes to those who fought still mark these lands. These places reveal the trials of a community and nation at war—a roiling cataclysm, a virtuous tragedy that freed four million Americans and reunited a nation.

Gettysburg National Military Park, PA: Located 50 miles northwest of Baltimore, the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the largest battle ever waged during the American Civil War. Fought in the first three days of July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg resulted in a hallmark victory for the Union "Army of the Potomac" and successfully ended the second invasion of the North by General Robert E. Lee's "Army of Northern Virginia." Historians have referred to the battle as a major turning point in the war, the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy." It was also the bloodiest single battle of the war, resulting in over 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured or missing.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, GA: This 2,888 acre National Battlefield preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. The battle was fought here from June 18, 1864 until July 2, 1864. William Sherman’s army consisted of 100,000 men, 254 guns and 35,000 horses. Joseph Johnston’ army had 63,000 men and 187 guns. Over 67,000 soldiers were killed, wounded and captured during the Campaign.

Manassas National Battlefield Park, VA: Manassas National Battlefield Park was established in 1940 to preserve the scene of two major Civil War battles. Located a few miles north of the prized railroad junction of Manassas, Virginia, the peaceful Virginia countryside bore witness to clashes between the armies of the North and South in 1861 and 1862. Today the battlefield park provides the opportunity for visitors to explore the historic terrain where men fought and died for their beliefs a century ago.

Monocacy National Battlefield, MD: Known as the "Battle That Saved Washington," the battle of Monocacy fought on July 9, 1864 between 18,000 Confederate forces under General Jubal Early, and 5,800 Union forces under General Lew Wallace, marked the last campaign of the Confederacy to carry the war into the north. One of the objectives of this campaign was to capture Washington, D.C.Although this battle was a military victory for the Confederates, it was also a defeat. Time spent for battle cost the Confederates a day's delay in marching on the federal capital. General Lew Wallace's defense along the Monocacy bought critical time to allow Washington to be reinforced. Early's raid would be thwarted and the war would be taken to the south for the rest of the war.

Pea Ridge National Military Park , AR: A 4,300 acre Civil War Battlefield that preserves the site of the March 1862 battle that saved Missouri for the Union. On March 7 & 8, nearly 26,000 soldiers fought to determine whether Missouri would remain under Union control, and whether or not Federal armies could continue their offensive south through the Mississippi River Valley. The Confederate force also included some 800 Cherokees fighting for the Confederacy. The Union army consisted of soldiers from Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. Half of the Federals were German immigrants.

Petersburg National Battlefield, VA: Petersburg , Virginia , just 25 miles south of the Confederate Capital of Richmond, became the setting for the longest siege in American history. When General Ulysses S. Grant failed to capture Richmond in the spring of 1864, he settled in to subdue the Confederacy by surrounding Petersburg and cutting off General Robert E. Lee's vital railroad supply lines. On April 2, 1865, nine-and-one-half months after the siege began, Lee was compelled to evacuate Petersburg.

Richmond National Battlefield Park, VA: Located on the James River, only 110 miles from the Federal capital of Washington, Richmond was a symbol and prime psychological target throughout the Civil War. Previously unknown place-names like Cold Harbor, Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill, and New Market Heights attained national significance for the key battles that were fought in the vicinity of Richmond. Naval military history was made at the battle of Drewry’s Bluff. Robert E. Lee fought his first battle as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia at Beaver Dam Creek in 1862; Ulysses S. Grant’s army experienced unprecedented futility on the bloody fields of Cold Harbor. Titans tangled repeatedly here. Earthworks scarred miles of farmland. Wheat fields became killing fields. Cemeteries started dotting the landscape.

Shiloh National Military Park , TN : The site was established in 1894 to preserve the scene of the first major battle in the Western theater of the Civil War. The two-day battle, April 6 and 7, 1862, involved about 65,000 Union and 44,000 Confederate troops. This battle resulted in nearly 24,000 killed, wounded, and missing. It proved to be a decisive victory for the federal forces when they advanced on and seized control of the Confederate railway system at Corinth, Mississippi.

Stones River National Battlefield, TN: A fierce battle took place at Stones River between December 31, 1862 and January 2, 1863. General Bragg's Confederates withdrew after the battle, allowing General Rosecrans and the Union army to control middle Tennessee. Although the battle was tactically indecisive, it provided a much-needed boost to the North after the defeat at Fredericksburg. Lincoln later wrote to General Rosecrans, "I can never forget [...] you gave us a hard-earned victory, which had there been a defeat instead, the nation could scarcely have lived over." The 600-acre National Battlefield includes Stones River National Cemetery, established in 1865, with more than 6,000 Union graves.

Tupelo National Battlefield, MS: In the spring of 1864, Major General William Sherman prepared his army to take Atlanta and subsequently "march to the sea." A primary concern of Sherman's was Major General Nathan Forrest's Confederate corp of mounted infantry roving the mid-South. Sherman ordered several advances from Federally controlled Memphis into north Mississippi for the purpose of keeping Forrest in Mississippi and not behind Sherman, cutting communication and supply lines. On July 13-15, 1864, the battle of Tupelo was the result of one of those advances by Major General Andrew J. Smith. Although the Federals retreated to Memphis after the battle, it was a Federal victory: Forrest was not able to interfere with Sherman's Georgia campaign.

Vicksburg National Military Park, MS: Vicksburg National Military Park was established by Congress on February 21, 1899, to commemorate one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil War, the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. The Vicksburg campaign was waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. It included battles in west-central Mississippi at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Black River and 47 days of Union siege operations against Confederate forces defending the city of Vicksburg. It was known as "The Gibraltar of the Confederacy." Its surrender on July 4, 1863, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, Louisiana, divided the South, and gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, MO: The battle fought here on August 10, 1861, was the first major Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River, involving about 5,400 Union troops and 12,000 Confederates. Although a Confederate victory, the Southerners failed to capitalize on their success. The battle led to greater federal military activity in Missouri, and set the stage for the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862. Wilson's Creek was also the scene of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general to be killed in combat. With the exception of the vegetation, the 1,770 acre battlefield has changed little from its historic setting, enabling the visitor to experience the battlefield in near pristine condition. The park has recently acquired and now manages, one of the finest collections of Trans-Mississippi artifacts in the nation.

The American Indian Wars

Big Hole National Battlefield, MT: A memorial to the people who fought and died here on August 9 and 10, 1877; combatants in a five month conflict that came to be called the Nez Perce War of 1877. Like other Indian Wars in the late 1800's, the Nez Perce War involved two very different groups with very different outlooks on land rights, civilian authority, government powers, social organization, and the responsibilities of the individuals to society. In 1992, legislation incorporated Big Hole National Battlefield with Nez Perce National Historical Park, making it part of a unique park consisting of 38 different sites located in five states; Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, MT: In the spring and summer of 1876 the United States Government launched a military campaign upon a portion of the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, who refused to live within the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation. They chose to continue their traditional nomadic way of life. The campaign was initiated when a Government ultimatum to return to the Great Sioux Reservation, in South Dakota, by January 31st, 1876 was ignored. Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer and 647 men of the 7th Cavalry, part of the eastern column, were ordered by General Terry, south along Rosebud Creek. Ahead of the main column, Custer's 6 Crow and 39 Arikara Indian Scouts found the massive village. In the Valley of the Little Bighorn River, the Seventh Cavalry and their Indian allies attacked the village of 8,000 to 10,000 people, on June 25th, 1876. After the battle was over, two-hundred and sixty-three 7th Cavalrymen lay dead, including George Custer. Three-hundred and fifty 7th Cavalrymen survived. An Indian Memorial was dedicated on June 25th, 2003, it is a living memorial, honoring the past. Present and future generations of Indian people. The memorial provides a universal message of, “Peace Through Unity.

Nez Perce National Historical Park, ID/MT: The 38 sites of Nez Perce National Historical Park are scattered across the states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana and have been designated to commemorate the stories and history of the Nimiipuu and their interaction with explorers, fur traders, missionaries, soldiers, settlers, gold miners, and farmers who moved through or into the area. The park also manages the Big Hole and Bear Paw battlefields of the Nez Perce War of 1877. The Nez Perce War was marked by the tenacity of Chief Joseph and his people as they fought the U.S. Army over a distance of about 1,500 miles through what are now four states, including what was the newly established Yellowstone National Park. The courageous manner in which the Nez Perce conducted the war created sympathy for their cause by much of the American public and many of the army pursuers.

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, OK: The park protects and interprets the site of the Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle that was attacked by the 7th U.S. Cavalry under Lt. Col. George A. Custer just before dawn on November 27, 1868. The controversial strike was hailed at the time by the military and many civilians as a significant victory aimed at reducing Indian raids on frontier settlements. Washita remains controversial because many Indians and whites labeled Custer's attack a massacre. Black Kettle is still honored as a prominent leader who never ceased striving for peace even though it cost him his life.

World War II

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area, AK: The Aleutian World War II National Historical Park and Visitor Center focus on telling the story of the “Forgotten War” — the events of the Aleutian Campaign that include the bombing of Dutch Harbor by the Japanese in June 1942, the evacuation and internment of the Aleuts, the Japanese invasion of the islands of Attu and Kiska, the Battle of Attu, the Allied invasion of Kiska, and the bombing of Paramishiru. Through the preservation and protection of World War II historic buildings and structures, the park preserves in memory the commitment and sacrifice of the more than 100,000 American and Canadian troops once stationed on these wind-swept islands off the western coast of Alaska.

American Memorial Park, Saipan: American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. Over 5,000 names are inscribed on a memorial which was dedicated June 15, 1994, during the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of Saipan. The Memorial rests at the park's Court of Honor and Flag Circle, where the U.S. flag proudly flies 24 hours a day, surrounded by the flags of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.

USS Arizona Memorial, HI: Oil droplets bubble to the surface of Pearl Harbor above the USS Arizona, creating a vivid link to the past. On a quiet Sunday morning December 7, 1941, a Japanese surprise air attack left the Pacific Fleet in smoldering heaps of broken, twisted steel. Here, peace was interrupted and paradise lost. In hours, 2,390 futures were stolen, half of these casualties from the battleship Arizona. Behind the shadows of destroyed airfields, aircraft, and ships, America fought fear, and a determined enemy responding with an unrivaled war effort. An epic battle for democratic ideals and world freedom would bloody the fields of Europe and the islands of the Pacific over the next four years.

War in The Pacific National Historical Park, Guam: This unique National Park is the only site in the National Park System that honors the bravery and sacrifices of all those who participated in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This includes the United States, Japan, and the Allied nations; Australia, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the Soviet Union. Park visitors have the opportunity to learn about the events that lead to the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Battle of Guam and the role the Mariana Islands played in helping to end World War II (1941-1945). At War in the Pacific National Historical Park (NHP), the former battlefields, gun emplacements, trenches, and historic structures all serve as silent reminders of the bloody battles that ensued on the Island of Guam.

National World War II Memorial, D.C.: The National World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, DC commemorates the sacrifice and celebrates the victory of the WWII generation. The World War II Memorial creates a distinct, evocative and serene tribute yet remains respectful and sensitive to its historic surroundings.

Korean War

Korean War Veterans Memorial, DC: From 1950 to 1953, the United States joined with United Nations forces in Korea to take a stand against what was deemed a threat to democratic nations worldwide. At war's end, a million and a half American veterans returned to a peacetime world of families, homes, and jobs - and to a country long reluctant to view the Korean War as something to memorialize. But to the men and women who served, the Korean War could never be a forgotten war.

War in Vietnam

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, DC: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a testament to the sacrifice of American military personnel during one of this nation's least popular wars. The memorial consists of three distinct sections. "the wall", the three service men statue and flagpole and the women in service to the Vietnam War statue. The purpose of this memorial is to separate the issue of the sacrifices of the veterans from the U.S. policy in the war, thereby creating a venue for reconciliation.