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Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - What is it?! 🤔 Thanks to everyone who played last week… The answer for October 1st is a spool of tracks for the M4 Sherman… see the previous post for the full details!Good luck on this week’s challenge! #americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma ... See MoreSee Less
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Do you know a WWII veteran who would like to join the Veteran's Roundtable during this weekend's WWII re-enactment? Email Hunter Chaney at hchaney@collingsfoundation.org ... See MoreSee Less
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The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from October 1st is the roll of track in our "Arsenal of Democracy" exhibit! These tracks go to the American M4 Sherman. This roll is made up of about 70 track blocks, and 140 end connectors, weighing in at a staggering 2,400 lbs. (1088.6 kg)!Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, October 8th at 10:00 am EST!#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday ... See MoreSee Less
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Starting to pull out some armor and aircraft for this weekend's Battle for the Airfield WWII re-enactment. The famous L4 "Rosie The Rocketer" will be participating. For more information on the re-enactment and WWII Veterans Roundtable see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/wwii-re-enactment-battle-for-the-airfield-october-2025/ ... See MoreSee Less
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REMINDER: The American Heritage Museum is a private, non-profit museum, not part of the gov't shutdown. Open Wed-Sun, 10am to 5pm. ... See MoreSee Less
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Speaker Series: MacArthur Reconsidered

September 22, 2023 @ 2:00 pm, ending 3:30 pm

$10 – $20

Join us at the American Heritage Museum on September 22nd to hear a presentation by James Ellman, author of “MacArthur Reconsidered,” as he digs deep, connects the dots, and concludes that General Douglas MacArthur was decidedly not a military genius.

One of America’s most controversial generals, Douglas MacArthur’s rise through the U.S. Army’s ranks was meteoric. However, he did not lead large formations of men in combat until he assumed command of forces in the Philippines in 1941. When war commenced with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, MacArthur’s performance on the battlefield was a failure: he underestimated the Japanese, and his poorly trained forces were outmaneuvered and outfought by a much smaller invading force. However, in what became a repeating hallmark of his career, he successfully portrayed his actions to much of the American people as brilliant and heroic regardless of victory or defeat. After fleeing to Australia, MacArthur famously announced, “I will return,” and followed through on a quest to retake Manila regardless of its impact on Allied global strategy or its cost in American, Australian, and Filipino blood.

In his subsequent role as America’s shogun in Tokyo, MacArthur was again surprised by an enemy he underestimated. The Korean War yielded his greatest victory, at Inchon, but also his greatest defeat, along the Yalu River. Unwilling to accept anything but complete victory, he openly defied President Truman: MacArthur fatally undermined chances for an early peace, planned to seed a great swath of enemy territory with radioactive cobalt, and attempted to widen a conflict which threatened to become a third world war. Raging against his subsequent firing, he only truly faded away after he was publicly criticized by a panoply of America’s greatest WWII generals.

Today, MacArthur still polarizes. Many biographies agree he was a great and patriotic leader marred by a few failures. Ellman argues the opposite: MacArthur was a lackluster battlefield commander who suffered stunning defeats while undermining the command structure of our military.

Details

Date:
September 22, 2023
Time:
2:00 pm, ending 3:30 pm
Cost:
$10 – $20
Event Categories:
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EVENT TICKETS ONLY FOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY - No General Admissions available this weekend during Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment Weekend special event.

There will be no General Admissions tickets available on Saturday, October 11th and Sunday, October 12th during the Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment Weekend - all visitors on Saturday and Sunday must purchase event tickets for access to the American Heritage Museum. $40 Adults | $35 Seniors/Veterans | $25 Children 3 to 16 years old.