Bob Tyce and the Attack on Pearl Harbor![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #VisitMA #militaryhistory #historymuseum #WWII #ww2 #WorldWarII #worldwar2 #army #tanks #worldoftanks #tanknerd #PearlHarbor #neverforget
As part of our commitment to community engagement, the American Heritage Museum will offer free admission to all residents of Hudson and Stow this weekend - December 6th and 7th. Hope you can make it!
Today, December 4th, 2025, marks the 75th anniversary of Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr's valiant attempt to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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On December 4, 1950, Hudner, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, and Brown, one of the first African-American U.S. naval aviators, were part of a flight of F4U Corsair fighter planes tasked with supporting U.S. Marine ground forces in Korea. During their mission, Ensign Brown's aircraft was struck by small arms fire, forcing him to crash-land in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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Shortly after, Captain Hudner intentionally crash landed his own airplane in the reservoir and rushed to Brown's crash site to try and rescue him. Upon arriving at the now burning wreck, he found that Brown's legs were pinned in the cockpit. A rescue helicopter arrived shortly after and Hudner, accompanied by the pilot, tried for 45 minutes to free Brown to no avail. ![]()
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Ensign Brown passed away shortly after from blood loss and exposure to extreme cold, and Hudner was forced to leave his body and evacuate by helicopter.![]()
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Captain Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 13th, 1951, for his actions and met Brown's widow, Daisy, during the ceremony. The two would stay in contact for the next 50 years.![]()
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The book "Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Brotherhood and Sacrifice " by Adam Makos details the entire ordeal, with a film adaptation which premiered in 2022.![]()
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Today, we remember and honor Captain Hudner and Ensign Brown for their valiant service and sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from November 26th is the hood ornament on our 1942 Buick! This car was one of the last produced at Buick's plant in Flint, Michigan in 1942. Buick was one of many companies who, after the United States entered WWII, stopped producing civilian goods and began the production of war goods.![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, December 3rd at 10:00 am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
Their gift to us was freedom. On this Giving Tuesday, your gift ensures their stories are never forgotten.![]()
Give today: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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At the American Heritage Museum, every field trip, veteran visit, and living-history weekend helps a new generation understand that freedom has a real weight—and a real cost. Your Giving Tuesday donation to our 2025–2026 Annual Fund keeps the doors open, the engines running, and the stories of service and sacrifice alive.![]()
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Their gift to us was freedom. Your gift TODAY preserves their history.![]()
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Make your Giving Tuesday gift now: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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#GivingTuesday #AmericanHeritageMuseum #SupportHistory #neverforget #veterans #historymuseum
Impact the future of the American Heritage Museum and the Collings Foundation with Planned Giving through your will, trust, or beneficiary designation.
Your dedication to our living history mission can become a part of your own personal legacy through planned giving. As you work though these plans with your family, please look through the resources we have provided below to help you determine how to best add the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation into your giving plans.
You are ready to write a will or trust…If you are ready to write a will or trust, we can help through our partnership with FreeWill to create or update a will. Learn how you can support the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation through your will. |
You have already included us in your will…If you have already made provisions in your will or trust, naming the American Heritage Museum or Collings Foundation as part of your plans, please let us know at this link to become a part of our planned giving society. |
You’d like to name us as a beneficiary…Outside of a will, assets like IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions, life insurance policies, and certain bank and brokerage accounts can have beneficiaries named to make transfer faster than assets through probate. |
You need bequest language to add to your will…As you develop your will or trust, you have a number of bequest options to name the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation as a beneficiary. See examples of bequest language to add to your existing plans here. |
The William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society
The William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society honors our supporters who have told us of their plans to leave a legacy through the American Heritage Museum and the Collings Foundation. To learn more about the William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society, please click here.
Questions? Reach out to us.
If you have any questions about this process or what might work best for your needs, please contact Ryan Keough, Director of Development at rkeough@americanheritagemuseum.org or call 978-562-9182 x203.
