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Reminder for all - We have two excellent presentations on the Korean War this Saturday, March 16th: Korea - The Now Remembered War at 1:30 and Korea – Triumph at Kapyong, Tragedy at Imjin and How Armor Made the Difference at 3:00. No reservations needed. More information see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/events/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Our tank restoration and maintenance shop has started the M24 Chaffee "fluff up" in anticipation of our WWII Tank Demonstration weekend on May 25&26. Turret was removed and all compartments and parts will be restored and repainted. There is nothing quite like a new tank smell and feel! Experience it for yourself in May!The M24 Chaffee tank, introduced during World War II, was a light tank that played a significant role in the Allied forces' armored operations. It boasted remarkable speed and agility, making it well-suited for reconnaissance missions and infantry support. Weighing around 18 tons, it was armed with a 75 mm main gun and two .30 caliber Browning machine guns. Its relatively thin armor was compensated by its speed, allowing it to outmaneuver heavier enemy tanks. The M24 Chaffee continued to serve various armies even after the war, seeing action in conflicts such as the Korean War. Its versatility and effectiveness solidified its place in military history as a pivotal light tank design. ... See MoreSee Less
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Looking for a great museum to visit over February school break week? Visit us at the American Heritage Museum. See some of the world's most rare tanks, armored vehicles and aircraft. Experience the WWI trench, see the Clash of Steel and talk with some of the greatest docents in the world! Open all week, Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.American Heritage Museum.org ... See MoreSee Less
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The American Heritage Museum will be open all through February school break (next week! 2/19-2/23). Bring the kids for fun scavenger hunts, board games, show and tell and more! ... See MoreSee Less
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The response on our search for Sue Tharp or Sue Thorp from Evansville, IN who worked at Republic Aircraft from 1944-1945 has been tremendous... below is a YouTube video you can share with some video of where her signature is. See it at: ... See MoreSee Less
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Korean War


M7 Priest SPH
– USA | ARTILLERY

M26A1 Pershing – USA | TANK

M24 Chaffee – USA | LIGHT TANK

M39 Armored Utility Vehicle – USA | PRIME MOVER

M2A1 Half Track – USA | HALF-TRACK

M4A3E8 Sherman – USA | TANK

At the end of World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States liberated Korea from imperial Japanese colonial control on August 15th, 1945. After the war had ended, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into two zones of occupation, the Soviets administered the northern half and the Americans administered the southern half. With the border set at the 38th parallel in 1948, two sovereign states were established because of geopolitical tensions of the Cold War (between the Soviet Union and the United States). A socialist state was established in the north under the communist leadership of Kim Il-sung and a capitalist state in the south under the anti-communist leadership of Syngman Rhee. Both governments of the two new Korean states claimed to be the sole legitimate government of all of Korea, and neither accepted the border as permanent.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel, the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korea to the south. This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. By July, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf. As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself. After some early back-and-forth across the 38th parallel, the fighting stalled, and casualties mounted with nothing to show for them. Meanwhile, American officials worked anxiously to fashion some sort of armistice with the North Koreans. The alternative, they feared, would be a wider war with Russia and China–or even, as some warned, World War III. Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end. In all, some 5 million soldiers and civilians lost their lives in what many in the U.S. refer to as “the Forgotten War” for the lack of attention it received compared to more well-known conflicts like World War I and II and the Vietnam War.

The Korean peninsula would continues to be caught in the Cold War rivalry, but the survival of the Republic of Korea is kept alive the hope of civil liberties, democracy, economic development, and eventual unification. There is little desire from North Korea for peace or reunification .

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OPEN PRESIDENTS DAY WEEK - February 19-25

The American Heritage Museum will be open for Presidents Day Week (February 19-25) including Monday, Feb 19th and Tuesday, Feb 20th. Open daily from 10am to 5pm.