The USS Missouri, or “Mighty Mo,” is a World War II battleship preserved as a memorial and museum at Pearl Harbor on Ford Island. Its starboard deck is where Japan signed the surrender documents on September 2, 1945, ending the war. Start with a guided tour, then explore the marked route through crew quarters, mess halls, equipment rooms and weapons displays at your own pace. The main deck and Captain’s deck give a sense of the ship’s scale, with views across Pearl Harbor.
The ship and the end of World War II
Launched in 1944, USS Missouri served in World War II, the Korean War and the Gulf War. It is best known as the site of Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945. The ceremony took place on the ship’s starboard deck, where visitors can see the location tied to the end of the war.
The battleship later docked at Pearl Harbor and opened as a memorial. Its presence there connects the events at Pearl Harbor that began the United States’ involvement in World War II with the surrender ceremony that brought the conflict to a close. A visit to the Missouri adds the perspective of a working battleship to the memorials and exhibits elsewhere at Pearl Harbor.
What to see aboard
The ship’s marked route leads through a wide range of spaces, including crew sleeping quarters, mess halls, officers’ quarters, medical areas, navigation and radio rooms, equipment spaces and weapons. The compact bunk stations give a close look at where sailors slept. Restored living areas and displays of photographs, uniforms and other artifacts help explain daily life aboard the ship.
On deck, the enormous guns make the vessel’s scale clear. Exhibits also explain how the ship’s systems worked, from the boilers and turbines that powered it to the mechanical fire-control computers used to calculate gunfire. A kamikaze exhibit addresses one of the ship’s wartime encounters and is a sobering part of the visit.
Guided tours and getting around
A guided tour gives an introduction to the ship’s history and helps orient you before you continue on your own. The self-guided route is marked, and much of the vessel is open to explore independently. Longer or more involved tours provide additional detail about the battleship. Check the available tour options when planning if you want to go beyond the introductory visit.
The ship is on Ford Island and reached by shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The ride takes about eight minutes. Plan for a lot of walking, with stairs and some ladders between levels. Wheelchair access is available in parts of the ship, but reaching some onboard areas requires assistance. The ship has restrooms, air conditioning indoors and food options, including Slider’s Grill and Dole Whip.
FAQ
Where is the USS Missouri Memorial?
It is at Pearl Harbor on Ford Island, at 63 Cowpens St, Honolulu. A shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center takes about eight minutes to reach the ship.
How long should I spend aboard the USS Missouri?
Plan on about one to two hours for a comfortable visit. Allow longer if you want to take an extended tour or explore more of the ship.
Can you explore the USS Missouri without a guide?
Yes. Much of the ship is open to explore independently on a marked route, and guided tours are also available.
Is the USS Missouri accessible by wheelchair?
Wheelchair access is available in parts of the ship, but some areas require assistance to reach. The route also includes many stairs and some ladders.
