FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE“MIGHTY MO” CELEBRATES 7-MILLIONTH VISITOR
Pearl Harbor, HI – (June 6, 2016) – The Battleship Missouri Memorial celebrated a special milestone
today as it welcomed aboard its 7-millionth visitor this morning. Devon Fitts, a Major in the U.S. Air
Force, and his family were greeted at the historic battleship. Fitts, originally from New Hampshire, iscurrently serving at Hickam Air Force Base in Pearl Harbor, and it was his family’s fourth time visiting
the Mighty Mo.
“This is a memorable day for the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and we congratulate Major Devon Fitts
for being our 7-millionth visitor,” said Mike Carr, President and CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial
Association. “Our efforts to educate the public and preserve this important piece of our history would not
be possible without the support we receive from our visitors, volunteers and donors. Mahalo to our entire
team for all their hard work in achieving this significant milestone, and together we look forward towelcoming the next 7 million visitors to the Mighty Mo.”
When asked how it feels to be the 7-million visitor, Major Fitts simply replied – “It feels pretty neat!”
The Fitts family chose the 16-inch gun turrets as their favorite feature of the battleship, and today, they
got an exclusive look behind the turrets as part of a VIP tour. They also received special Mighty Mo gifts
including a teak plank from the storied decks of the USS Missouri when she was in active-duty, acollectible beginning and end coin, a Mighty Mo baseball cap, and lei.
The USS Missouri, affectionately known as America’s last battleship, secured her spot in history as thesite of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces on Sept. 2, 1945, ending World War II. TheMissouri was decommissioned for the final time in 1992 concluding a career that spanned five decades
and three wars, bringing the Battleship era to an end. On Jan. 29, 1999, 55 years to the day after she waslaunched, the Battleship Missouri Memorial opened to the public.
To download video of the 7-millionth visitor milestone, please click here: http://bit.ly/1WCvFqr.
Battleship Missouri MemorialSince opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 7-million
visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s uniqueplace in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes
a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri inTokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean
War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri MemorialAssociation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri
Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors,
memberships, grants, and donations.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General admission, which
includes choice of an optional tour, is $27 per adult and $13 per child (4-12). Military, kama‘aina (localPier Foxtrot-5, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor63 Cowpens St. • Honolulu, HI 96818 • Ph: (808) 423-2263 • Fax: (808) 423-0700 • www.ussmissouri.org

“Mighty Mo” Celebrates 7-Millionth Visitor
Page 2resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (toll-free) 1-877-6444896 or visit USSMissouri.org

Link to image: http://i.imgur.com/LPlnpTj.jpg
Caption: Mike Carr, President and CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, welcomes Devon
Fitts and family as the Mighty Mo’s 7 millionth visitor.
###Media Contact:
Megan Hesselink(808) 539-3430
Megan.Hesselink@AnthologyGroup.com

Jaclyn Hawse(808) 455-1600 x246
JaclynH@ussmissouri.org