Mission

The USS Missouri Memorial Association’s mission is to create and maintain a fitting memorial to the people and historic events reflecting our nation’s proud legacy of duty, honor, strength, resolve and sacrifice.

No one could have predicted how a casual get-together with friends would change the way Pearl Harbor is experienced today. It was 1994 and the revered "Mighty Mo" had been recently removed from service and "mothballed" in Bremerton, Washington – secluded from the public. When World War II Navy Commander Edwin Carter, USNR (Ret.) sat down with retired Admiral Ron Hays and retired Navy Boatswains Mate Harold Estes for lunch in early 1994 in Honolulu, they discussed the battleship and how she deserved a place where she could share her lessons of peace, honor and glory. The three agreed, "Why not Pearl Harbor?"

Backed by unwavering devotion from volunteers, local business and military leaders, the newly formed USS Missouri Memorial Association embarked on a four-year odyssey to make Pearl Harbor the permanent home for the Mighty Mo. Finally, on May 4, 1998, the Navy officially granted the battleship's care to the Association. Six weeks later, on Father's Day, June 21, 1998, the Missouri received a hero's welcome as she passed the shores of Waikiki and world-famous Diamond Head. The following day she first took her current post where she proudly stands watch over fallen comrades in the hallowed waters of Pearl Harbor.

On January 29, 1999, seven months after her arrival and nearly five years after Carter, Hays and Estes met for lunch; "Mighty Mo" welcomed the public with open hatches and decks.

Each day her decks are opened she touches more lives: triggering the memories of veterans, illustrating the awesome talent of American ingenuity and reminding us of the great sacrifices made in the past to secure peace for the future. Her contribution did not end when she was decommissioned. She now serves a rare tour of duty each day; one in which grandchildren looking to their parents and grandparents with a new understanding, respect and appreciation gained while walking her decks.

We are committed to our ongoing mission to bring the extraordinary legacy of this American icon to life. Her story is worth preserving and sharing with the world and generations to come.

Membership

The Friends of the Mighty Mo is an annual gift club that supports the programs and the operations of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. It is designed to bring its members inside information about the restoration, programs and operations involved in restoring, maintaining and teaching the lessons of this incredible ship.

Join Friends of the Mighty Mo
Anyone can become a member of the Mighty Mo. Our members are critical to helping us achieve our mission: to create and maintain a fitting memorial. As a new member, you will receive benefits and special invitations, including a new member orientation. We look forward to meeting new members and determining how to best keep you updated on our progress!

Donate

The Battleship Missouri is an American icon maintained and operated as the Battleship Missouri Memorial under the tireless care of the staff and volunteers of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a private Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create and maintain a fitting memorial to the people and historic events reflecting our nation’s legacy of duty, honor, strength, resolve and sacrifice. The memorial’s continued success is made possible by visitors’ support, grants, memberships and the generosity of donors. Thanks to your generous support, we can continue to support the preservation, education, outreach and legacy building activities of the ship.

Learn about other ways you can join us in support and become part of the Battleship Missouri story and ohana (family).
www.mightymomembers.org/join

Contributions to the Battleship Missouri Memorial are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you have any questions about donating to us, please call us at (808) 455-1600 ext. 244.

In-Kind Donations

The Battleship Missouri is pleased that you would like to propose an in-kind donation. Please fill out the form below and send us a description of the item(s). In some cases, we may not be able to accept the donation due to restrictions on space, environmental requirements or fundraising priority restrictions. By completing the form below, we will notify you of any tax benefits or requests for the delivery of the item(s). Upon acceptance and delivery of your in-kind gift, we will process a “thank you” letter and receipt within 10 days. Thank you for your generous time and consideration.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial also collects artifacts and archival materials directly related to the construction or service of the USS Missouri (BB-63). Objects and archival materials are added to the collection through donation. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact the ship’s Curator and we would be glad to consider it. Please send us an e-mail at curator@ussmissouri.org with a description and photo of the item, and as much background information as you can provide if possible.

Click Here for In-Kind Donations Form

Fundraising

No matter where you are in the world, the “Friends of the Mighty Mo” communications network is here to connect you with thousands of people who collectively aim to find ways to develop and carry out the story of the Battleship Missouri and preserve the legacy of Pearl Harbor.
www.mightymomembers.org/about/giving

E-newsletter

Sign up to receive our Broadside Newsletter, a monthly e-newsletter for Battleship Missouri Memorial news, events, volunteer opportunities and updates on restoration projects.
www.mightymomembers.org/newsletter-subscribe

Survey

We want to hear from you! Your opinions and experiences are invaluable to us.
www.mightymomembers.org/join/survey

Volunteer

Our past, present and future successes are not possible without the commitment, time, and skills of our volunteers. As a non-profit organization, volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. Since the ship’s arrival to Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, on June 22, 1998, the Mighty Mo has been blessed with over 55,000 volunteers working more than 100,000 hours of service in restoration, maintenance and sharing the ship’s historic legacy to tourists and school groups.

There are always volunteer opportunities. Groups are invited for one-time projects or continued projects. Individual volunteers are added to one of our volunteer crews.

• Teak Crew’s main focus is the deck and all wood working on the ship and pier.
• Ship maintenance and Restoration Crew is always in need of painters, welders, electricians and people that are mechanically inclined and not afraid of a little dirt.
• Tour guides/docents join our tours department and assist with daily tours, night events and encampments.
• Collections Crew assists the curator and archivist with transcribing oral histories, taking interviews, researching and building exhibits.
• Development Crew volunteers assist the development department is grant writing, fundraising, trade shows, call-back teams, and Films on the Fantail events.
• Radio Crew operates our Hamm radio station (KH6BB) on board the ship and assist with encampments and school groups.
• Education Crew - Trained volunteers that assist in the school outreach program and on board learning labs.

Come join our staff and volunteer crews who strive every day to preserve the Battleship Missouri and her crews’ legendary naval legacy. For more information please contact us at (808) 455-1600, ext. 224, or by e-mail at volunteers@ussmissouri.org.