National Museum of the United States Army spotlights Army’s service in World War I

Visitors to the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. are struck by the emotionally compelling way it depicts one soldier’s experience during the Great War, as well as the remarkably accurate, detailed renderings of uniforms, weapons and equipment of its thirty-eight figures.

Yet many of these visitors don’t realize that they have convenient access to an excellent local resource to further explore their interest in our Army’s participation in World War I—the National Museum of the United States Army.  The Army’s premier museum opened on Veterans Day 2020, and its six permanent galleries contain artifacts, informative digital kiosks and movies that chronicle the Army’s defense of our nation from colonial times to the present.  The Army and Society gallery, a special exhibition gallery, and the Medal of Honor exhibit and garden complete the Museum’s many attractions.

Life-size, specially made figures enhance the realism of the World War I combat diorama.

Those with an interest in the United States Army’s experience in World War I should ensure they visit the Nation Overseas gallery.  Here they will find perhaps the Museum’s most compelling exhibit, an engaging recreation of doughboys charging across the battlefield complete with life-size figures, special lighting and sound effects, and surround screen with period video footage.

(left) Mocker, the carrier pigeon, participated in World War I. Since there were no portable radios, pigeons provided communications between command posts and units on the move. (right) An especially valuable artifact is Sergeant Alvin York’s helmet worn during his Medal of Honor heroic exploit resulting in the destruction of German machinegun nests and the capture of 132 German soldiers.

Other highlights include a Renault FT light tank operated by our soldiers during the Meuse-Argonne campaign, Sergeant Alvin York’s damaged helmet, a Hello Girl’s uniform, a carrier pigeon used in the war, a wall of post cards written by Doughboys to families back home, pistols, rifles, and machineguns used in the conflict.

National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The Army Museum, located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Admission is free, and parking is also free and plentiful.  For more information, go to the Museum’s website at www.thenmusa.org

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