FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Battleship Missouri Fires 16-inch Guns
in Celebration of 5-millionth Visitor
Pearl Harbor (July 12, 2012) — The Battleship Missouri Memorial reached a milestone
today as it welcomed aboard its five-millionth visitor this morning. Daniel Miller and his
family were welcomed to the historic ship by the sounds and dances of Kika Inc. The
Missouri’s President and COO, Michael A. Carr presented them with a prize package
including roundtrip airfare for five to Oahu on Hawaiian Airlines, a five night stay at theWaikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and a family membership to the USS Missouri
Memorial Association. Miller also received a rare, engraved piece of teak pulled from thedecks of the USS Missouri. The celebration concluded by firing confetti out of theMissouri’s famous 16-inch guns.
“This is a proud day for all of us at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. I would like tocongratulate our 5-millionth visitor, Daniel Miller of Livermore, California. It’s a mighty
achievement that in just over 13 years the Mighty Mo is welcoming her 5-millionthvisitor,” said Carr. “Our visitor numbers have been on the rise this year, which ispromising for not only the memorial but Hawaii’s economy as a whole.”
The USS Missouri (BB-63), affectionately known as America’s last battleship, secured
her spot in history as the site of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allied Forces on
Sept. 2, 1945, ending World War II. The Missouri was decommissioned for the final timein 1992 concluding a career that spanned five decades and three engagements, bringing
the Battleship era to an end. On Jan. 29, 1999, 55 years to the day after she was launched,
the Battleship Missouri Memorial opened to the public.
“Every penny the USS Missouri Memorial Association earns, goes towards our numerous
preservation efforts and educational programs,” said Carr. “Through the help ofmembers, donors, grants and of course each of the 5-million visitors that have stepped on
board, we have been able to keep the Missouri in ship-shape, ensuring she is alive andwell for the next 5-million visitors.”
The Missouri has never shied away from the spotlight and most recently stared in
Universal Studios’ Battleship, which premiered this past May.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial, located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona
Memorial, completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy”
that saw the sinking of USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor and ends with Imperial Japan’s(more)
Pier Foxtrot-5, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor
63 Cowpens St. • Honolulu, HI 96818 • Ph: (808) 423-2263 • Fax: (808) 423-0700 • www.ussmissouri.org

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unconditional surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Following an astounding
career that spans five decades and three wars, from World War II to the Korean conflictto the Liberation of Kuwait, the “Mighty Mo” was decommissioned and donated to theUSS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which
operates the battleship as a historic attraction and memorial. The association oversees
her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants and thegenerosity of donors. The Battleship Missouri Memorial was named one of Hawaii’s top
10 attractions by Pacific Business News and starred in Universal Studios’ Battleship.
###Media Contact:Tyler Kruse(808) 539-3434
Tyler.Kruse@AnthologyGroup.com
Jaclyn Hawse(808) 455-1600 x246
JaclynH@ussmissouri.org