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
Meet the German Sd.Kfz 251!![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #visitma #militaryhistory #historymuseum #WWII #ww2 #tworldwarii #worldwar2 #army #tanks #worldoftanks #tanknerd #germanarmor #sdkfz #halftrack
Gift Certificates for Tank Driving or Tank Rides or Gift Memberships to the American Heritage Museum!
Give the gift of TANKS with the American Heritage Museum! The history lover in your life will never forget the gift of an annual membership to the American Heritage Museum or a gift certificate for a thrilling ride or driving experience on one of our World War II tanks: the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, or the M36 Jackson!
All of these make an amazing gift for a loved one and help to support the restorations and growth of the American Heritage Museum featuring the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection of Tanks and Military Vehicles and our growing historic aircraft collection.
Gift Annual Memberships to the American Heritage Museum
Gift memberships make a great gift for individuals, couples, and families! Enjoy a full year of free admission to the American Heritage Museum and most special event weekends, discounts in our Gift Shop, and other great benefits exclusively offered to members. Memberships are available for Students (under 18), Individuals, Dual (two persons), and Families (two adults and all children in household).
If you are giving a membership as a gift, make sure and check the “This membership is a gift” box when you purchase online and whether it should be sent directly to the recipient or to you, the giver, for later in-person giving!
Click here to purchase an American Heritage Museum Membership online.
Tank Experience Gift Certificates
When you order a Gift Certificate for the driving and riding experiences below, you’ll be sent a presentation certificate and booking instructions for scheduling your experience (by mail for M4 & M24 programs, by email for M36 programs). We will be offering driving and riding experiences most weekends through the Spring, Summer, and Fall, so there is plenty of time to enjoy these awesome experiences next year!
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TANK DRIVING TRAINING
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TANK DRIVING TRAINING
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TANK RIDE
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TANK RIDE
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TANK RIDE
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