Hearing Highlights Broad Support for Relocating, Restoring USS WARD GUN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 19. 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Long 612-636-4108
The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum’s Vision for Preservation and Display Gains Momentum Following CAAP Board Hearing
A rendering of the future home of the Ward Gun #3 at the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
St. Paul, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota Capitol Area Architectural Planning (CAAP) Board held a hearing on the proposed relocation of the USS Ward Gun #3, a treasured artifact of Minnesota’s military heritage, to the future Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley, Minn. The USS Ward fired the first shots by the U.S. military in World War II at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Currently, the Ward Gun is on-loan to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and resides on the Minnesota State Capitol Grounds near the Veterans Service Building.
“This crucial piece of Minnesota – and American – history deserves a place of prominence and honor,” said Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay in a written statement. “We are excited for this new chapter in the story of the USS Ward Gun #3. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has been a proud steward of the gun, and we believe now is the right time to remove, restore, and relocate this artifact to the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley. We will forever be grateful for the service of the Minnesota Naval Reservists who made history the morning of Dec. 7, 1941.”
The Ward Gun has been exposed to Minnesota’s harsh weather for decades and is now at risk of significant deterioration. The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum has committed to professionally restore the artifact, ensuring its long-term preservation and preparing it for prominent display in its forthcoming state-of-the-art facility. Scheduled to open in 2026, the museum will feature a dedicated World War II gallery where the Ward Gun will hold a place of prominence, preserving its story for future generations.
During the hearing a host of supporters, including veterans, historians and military preservation experts, advocated for moving the gun to a controlled indoor environment to ensure its preservation and display. Key testimonies, both online and in person, highlighted the artifact’s historical significance as a symbol of Minnesota’s role in shaping history and its urgent need for professional restoration.
Paul Storch, an artifact preservation consultant, emphasized the gun’s deteriorating condition, describing it as “actively deteriorating” and in need of immediate attention. Navy League Midwest President Bill James supported the relocation, calling the new museum “the perfect location” for the artifact, ensuring its protection and ongoing accessibility to the public.
The relocation effort is part of a larger initiative to honor Minnesota’s military legacy through the development of a 40,000-square-foot museum set to open in 2026. This museum will offer immersive exhibits, educational programming, and a fitting tribute to the nearly 300,000 veterans who call Minnesota home.
Randal Dietrich, Executive Director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “The USS Ward Gun is not just a symbol of Minnesota’s history; it’s a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who served. We appreciate the on-going coordination with Naval History and Heritage Command to potentially move this artifact into the museum to ensure its preservation while allowing us to share its story with future generations.”
While no decisions were made at today’s hearing, support for the proposal was unanimous, signaling a shared commitment to preserving Minnesota’s military history. The next step will be a summary of comments and recommendations presented at a CAAP public board meeting on January 28, 2025.
ABOUT THE MINNESOTA MILITARY & VETERANS MUSEUM: Located at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum seeks to strengthen public understanding of how armed conflicts and military institutions have shaped our state and national experience. A new museum and library complex will open adjacent to Camp Ripley in 2026. Visit www.mnvetmuseum.org for more information.
ABOUT MDVA: The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.