War & Conflict at Sea

Explore the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the first built on the Potomac River. Discover captivating exhibits on local maritime history, WWII naval presence, and the iconic lighthouse itself. Climb to the top for breathtaking views of the Potomac and its rich ecosystem. Immerse yourself in the beauty and heritage of the Chesapeake Bay watershed while uncovering the stories that shaped this remarkable area.

Fonte Plateau was a strategic location during the Battle of Guam. Home to a fortified Japanese naval communications base, the battle for control over Fonte Plateau was costly and pivotal. After days of fighting, US troops gained control of the position—forcing the Japanese Army's retreat.

During the Japanese occupation of Guam, CHamoru were forced to build defenses on the beach, including the pillboxes and bunkers that can still be seen today, in preparation for the American invasion. That invasion came on July 21, 1944, W Day for Guam. While a simultaneous attack took place five miles south at Hågat, the Third Marine Division landed on the 2,500-yard Assan Beach, marking the start of the Battle of Guam.

Above the village of Piti, sit three large Japanese Vickers-type Model 3 140mm coastal defense guns, the remains of hastily constructed fortifications build on the eve of the American invasion of Guam. As the Americans conquered more and more territory in the Pacific, the Japanese forced the CHamoru to build fortifications and install artillery and costal defense guns on Guam under brutal conditions. 

The 44-foot high Peace Monument stands in the circle west of the U.S. Capitol at Pennsylvania Avenue and First Street, NW. Inscribed "In memory of the officers, seamen and marines of the United States Navy who fell in defense of the Union and liberty of their country, 1861-1865," this sculptural group has also been called the Naval Monument.

In front of the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center at War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam stands the last Type-C Japanese midget submarine in existence.

John Barry (1745-1803), an Irish immigrant to the 13 colonies, served in the Continental Navy, attacking British shipping throughout the American Revolution. He was the first commissioned American naval officer, and the first flag officer.

Located at the intersection of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire Avenues in Northwest Washington, DC, Dupont Circle has served as the anchor of a neighborhood of diplomats, government officials, war commemorations, and the LGB community for over 200 years.

The oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world still calls her birthplace—Boston—home. Launched in 1797 from Hartt's shipyard in the North End, Constitution was one of six original frigates that formed the core of the fledgling United States Navy in the 1790s. During the War of 1812, she earned a legendary reputation in battle, defeating four British frigates.

Eleanor Gould Henfey, the daughter of a Western Union Marine Observer and wife of a U.S. Coast Guard Surfman, recounts her experience at Sandy Hook in an oral history.

Richmond J. Tripp was an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class during World War II. He worked on the USS Ranger and USS Mission Bay, mostly in the Atlantic Theater. He was on a date when he heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Tripp enlisted in the Navy shortly thereafter and was placed on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger with about 5,000 other people. Listen to his interview to learn about his World War II experience.

Dwight Smith served in the Navy during World War II. He was never stationed in the Aleutian Islands, but he recounts many interesting stories from his time onboard the USS South Dakota, SS Thomas W. Hyde, and LST-835. After the war he had a family and a long career with railroads.

Explore the history of two US Navy ships named after the Battle of Cowpens!

While Guam is only 212 square miles, the island is rich in history. Only hours after Pearl Harbor was attacked, the Japanese began aerial bombings on Guam. After two days of strafing, the Japanese came ashore and hours later the naval governor surrendered the American territory. The island remained under Japanese control for 31 months until July 21, 1944 when the United States returned and liberated the island.

The United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve (MCWR) was created during World War II and allowed women the opportunity for military service.

Captain Timothy Hodge served as an active-duty United States Marine from December 1990 to July 2000. Then he joined the United States Park Police. Read more about his story.

Women volunteered during the WWII era joining the military to show their patriotism and played a vital role in winning the war.

Because voluntary enlistments could never satisfy the demand for sailors, the British resorted to using press gangs to forcibly place men into service. As many as half of all seamen manning the Royal Navy were impressed.

The historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station extends into Drakes Bay on the eastern tip of the Point Reyes peninsula. Standing in this location since 1927, it has served for assistance to shipwrecks and incidents, military training, coastal beach defense patrol, and equipment maintenance tasks. Point Reyes has the only surviving lifeboat station on the Pacific Coast with an intact marine railway. In June of 2019, a crew launched the restored lifesaving boat into the water.