29 June 2019
Okay, it is not the US Army, but we have heard good things about this place. So, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines–past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
It was only a 25 minute drive to what turns out to one of the absolute BEST museums we have ever seen (even though it was the Marine Corps). The museum is a circular building. The outside circle “guides” you through the Marines history chronologically and through the eyes of a Marine.
The exhibits were extremely well done and in 4D if you will. Such as, The Battle of Inchon, Korea was an amphibious invasion. The exhibit brought you (the Marine) to the briefing of the battle on-board a ship, then boarding a landing craft (LST). When you arrive on the beach, the gate opens, and you are in the battle.
Another example is another Korean War exhibit fighting in the mountains in the bitterly cold and freezing weather and the exhibit was very cold as you walked through it.
As you board the CH47 Chinook, you can hear the “wop, wop, wop”, and feel the prop wash, and as you go down the rear cargo ramp, you are in the middle of a fortified (sand bags) operating base in Vietnam.
Also you could listen to audio excerpts in many exhibits via a H/250 handset from a PRC 70/77 (and newer) radio. Just another “touch” of how the exhibit brought you into the moment (over).
My pictures and words do not accurately describe this National Museum, it is a must see if you are interested in Military History. There is a new section under construction to depict the Post 9-11 conflicts and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The National Army Museum, located at Ft Belvoir, will be open in the next year, and I’m sure it will be better! GO ARMY!
