WWII: Ward Gun #3
The gun that announced the United States entry into WWII must be preserved for future generations.
Building on the momentum of recent restorations to a WWII glider, WWII tank and Cold War submarine (sail & rudder), the museum spent more than a year securing the needed permissions to remove, restore and relocate the storied gun #3 of the USS WARD.
The museum already maintains a rich archive of related USS WARD material. This will be crucial in the development of the museum's permanent WWII gallery to open late summer 2026.
NEW GALLERY RENDERING
On September 2, 2025, Minnesota’s military and veteran community gathered at the Veterans Service Building in St. Paul to honor two pivotal moments in American history.
The morning began with the ceremonial removal of the historic USS Ward gun, which fired the first U.S. shots of World War II at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The gun will be restored and permanently installed at the new Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum near Camp Ripley, opening in 2026.
Following the outdoor ceremony, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs hosted a commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945—formally ending World War II.
New Museum Site & Facility
Coming Summer 2026: Our grand opening! Get a sneak peek.
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