The Naval History and Heritage Command has just returned from the 2021 Historic Naval Ships Association Conference, September 22-25 at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park held a conference where NHHC Director, retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox presented the 2021 NHHC Museum Excellence Awards. The awards were forwarded to various non-federal museums in recognition of originality in telling the rich history of the Navy. These institutions, according to Cox, “are honoring those that have served and are continuing to inspire and educate our next generation.”
The centerpiece of the 155-acre park is the 45,000-ton battleship USS Alabama National Historic Landmark. Having led the American Fleet into Tokyo Bay on September 5, 1945, this vessel has been dedicated to the valor displayed by 2,500 Americans who served upon her during World War II. With a record of nine Battle Stars for meritorious service, she is etched in history as the “Heroine of the Pacific.”
It also contains the USS Drum, a World War II submarine that notched 12 Battle Stars and sank 15 Japanese ships. The Drum, 2001, the oldest surviving submarine in the country, was hauled ashore as part of a $15 million renovation project.
Aside from these historic vessels is an aircraft pavilion dedicated to the 29 Alabamians recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Inside the pavilion, one can have a closer view of 25 magnificently restored warplanes as well as some military hardware and memorabilia linked with World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and Desert Storm.
Added to the park was the replica of the HL Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. It used the best information available and relocated this model to the park in December 2003. Battleship Memorial Park’s Executive Director Bill Tunnell was proud to be allowed to display the Hunley beside the USS Drum since it would show how submarines evolved in the United States.
Operated by the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, this park is fully self-supporting-operating from admissions and gift shop sales. It has welcomed over 13 million visitors since its opening in 1965 and has brought in many millions of dollars for the state of Alabama.
While the park has been hit rather hard by a few strong hurricanes-most notably the ravaging Hurricane Katrina in 2005-it has still held up rather well. It is still an extremely nice memorial to the fallen American servicemen and women and allows visitors to feel a sense of history and patriotism alike.