World War II Related Organizations and Museums in California
Click here for additional organizations in California
Click here for links to national military related organizations
 Aerospace Museum of California at McClelland Park
Sacramento, CA 95652
www.aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org
916-643-3192
The Museum previously hosted over 600,000 visitors on McClellan Air Force Base AFB in Sacramento. However, in 2001 McClellan AFB closed and the museum was converted it to a private museum. Its mission is to emphasize education and aerospace science while continuing to display the proud heritage of aviation and aerospace activities in California’s Capital region.
Hamilton Army Airfield
Navato, California 94945
www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/wwIIbayarea/ham.HTM
Hamilton Army Airfield was built as a bombardment base and the headquarters for the 1st Wing of the Army Air Corps; it is one of only three bases established for this purpose nationally. The base played a significant role during World War II in training and national defense by serving as an overseas staging area.
For more information contact the Navato History Museum: 415-897-4320
Port Chicago Naval Magazine
Port Chicago, Suisun Bay, CA 94585
www.history.navy.mil/photos/pl-usa/pl-ca/pt-chgo.htm
925-838-0249
Port Chicago Naval Magazine was dedicated as a National Memorial in 1992 to honor the courage and commitment of the Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Mariners, and working civilians killed and injured, on July 17, 1944, when Five thousand tons of munitions being loaded for transport to the Pacific detonated. It was one of the largest homeland disasters during World War II.
Disparate treatment of the survivors only deepened the wounds. Black sailors were ordered to return to work almost immediately while white officers were granted a leave of absence. In protest, 50 African Americans refused to serve under these harsh conditions. They were subsequently court-marshaled and found guilty of mutiny, prompting future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to declare the proceedings "one of the worst frame-ups we have come across." On December 23, 1999, one of the few surviving convicted mutineers, Freddie Meeks, was granted a full pardon by President William J. Clinton.
Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park
Richmond, CA 94804
www.nps.gov/rori
510-232-5050
Preserves and interprets the stories and places of our nation's home front response to World War II. The exhibit includes a sampling of photos, stories and memorabilia that have been donated to the park.
Sons of the Revolution Library and Museum
Glendale, CA 91204
www.militarymuseum.org/SRLibrary.html
818-240-1775
In addition to the over 35,000 volumes of books, periodicals and manuscripts, many of which are rare out-of-print first editions, the Sons of the Revolution Library and Museum is blessed with a magnificent collection of artifacts, many of which are on display.
The California State Military Museum
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.militarymuseum.org
916-442-2883
The California State Military Museum is the official military museum and historical research center of the State of California. It houses over 30,000 artifacts as well a substantial library and archives. In addition to the main facility in Sacramento, the museum has five satellite museums and also maintains relationships with the McClellan Aviation Museum and the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California Library in Glendale.
The Conservation Corps State Museum and Institute
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
www.militarymuseum.org/CCCMuseum.html
805-788-0517
Established August 18, 1995 and housed in four barracks buildings on the grounds of historic Camp San Luis Obispo, the museum documents the youth corps movement of the 20th century. The four buildings contain displays of artifacts and memorabilia related to the history and operations of all conservation corps that operated in California - past, present and into the future.
The SS Red Oak Victory
Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park
Richmond, CA 94804
www.ssredoakvictory.com/
510-237-2933
Built in Richmond Kaiser Shipyard # 1, and launched on November 9, 1944, the Red Oak was one of the 414 SS Red Oak Victories built during World War II, and one of a few to be transferred from the Merchant Marine to the U.S. Navy. Doomed to be scrapped, Red Oak Victory was turned over to the Richmond Museum of History.
World War II National Submarine Memorial – West
Seal Beach, CA 90740
www.submarinehistory.com/WWIISubmarineMemorial.html
562-626-7897
The Los Angeles Chapter had a dream of someday constructing a memorial to honor all shipmates who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. On 13 January 1977, ground was broken and their dream became the National Submarine Memorial - West.
Additional Organizations in California
The 185th Armor Regimental Museum
San Diego, CA 92111
www.185museum.com
916-442-2883
The 185th Armor Regiment's lineage extends back to early California and includes numerous organizations. The Guardsmen of the Regiment have served in every conflict from the Mexican-American War to the present War on Terrorism.
(American Merchant Marine Veterans) AMVETS Department of California
Tulare, CA 93274
www.amvets-ca.org/index.html
559-688-3407
On December 10th 1944, eighteen Veterans met in Kansas City, Missouri and founded The American Veterans of World War II. On July 23rd, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216, making AMVETS the first World War II organization to be chartered by congress.
American Merchant Marine Veterans: China Coasters Chapter
Wilmington, CA 90744
www.ammvcc.org
310-834-2488
This Chapter's goal is to educate the American public and government about the importance of the Merchant Marines and offers assistance to fellow seamen.
American Merchant Marine Veterans: Sacramento Valley Chapter
Sacramento, CA 95815
www.ammvsacvalley.com
The Sacramento Valley Chapter has members in Redding, Grass Valley, Davis, Dixon, Placerville, and throughout the Sacramento area.
California Center for Military History
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.militarymuseum.org/CMH.html
916-442-2883
The California Center for Military History is a unit of the California State Military Reserve (CSMR), which has battalions located throughout the state.
Camp Roberts Historical Museum and Museum Annex
Camp Roberts, CA 93451
www.militarymuseum.org/CampRobertsMuseum.html
805-238-8288
This museum has over 3,000 items including large vintage vehicles, Camp stage shows and radio broadcasts, the Camp chapels, and a WWII office.
Camp San Luis Obispo Museum and Historical Site
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
www.militarymuseum.org/CampSanLuisObispo.html
916-442-2883
This outdoor exhibit contains aircraft from the 1950's and 1960's, and an F4 Phantom II Fighter Bomber, among other other treasures.
Fresno Air National Guard Base Historic Site
Fresno, CA 93727
www.militarymuseum.org/FresnoANGBase.html
559-454-5210
The Fresno Air National Guard Base in California is home to the 144th Fighter Wing, whose mission is to provide air defense protection for California.
General George S. Patton Memorial Museum
Chiriaco Summit, CA 92201
www.desertusa.com/mag99/feb/stories/paton.html
760-227-3483
Established to honor the late General George S. Patton and the thousands of men who served with him, the site was donated by Joseph Chiriaco.
State Naval Forces in World War II
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.militarymuseum.org/csng.html
916-442-2883
The Provisional Division of the Nautical Corps was ordered to active duty December 8, 1941. While there is very little written history about these units, there are records remaining of the many heroic missions they performed.
The Trophy Room, San Francisco War Memorial Building
San Francisco, CA 94102
www.sfwmpac.org
415-621-6600
Located within the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States.
United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II
San Pedro, CA 90733
www.lanevictory.org
310-519-9545
Veterans of the US Merchant Marine sailed cargo ships, tankers, and delivered tanks, trucks, and guns to the troops during World War II among many other essential supplies. Today, veteran volunteers publish a monthly newspaper called The Anchor Light.
Links to National Military Related Organizations
Americal Division Veterans Association
www.americal.org
American Ex-Prisoners of War
www.axpow.org
American GI Forum of the United States
www.agif.us
Blinded Veterans Association
www.bva.org
Disabled American Veterans
www.dav.org
Hispanic War Veterans of America
www.hwva.org
Italian American War Veterans of the USA
www.ITAMVETS.org
Japanese American Veterans Association
www.javadc.org
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
www.jwv.org
Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., Inc.
www.purpleheart.org
National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.
www.nabvets.com
Paralyzed Veterans of America
www.pva.org
Polish Legion of American Veterans, USA
www.plav.org
Stories of Service
www.digiclub.org/sofs
The American Legion
www.legion.org
The Retired Enlisted Association
www.trea.org
The Women Marines Association
www.womenmarines.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
www.vfw.org
Women in Military Service for the America Memorial
www.womensmemorial.org
Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association
www.armywomen.org
|
