When the Allies tendered the terms of surrender to the Central Powers at the close of The Great War in 1919, the legendary French general Marshall Foch, recognizing the severity of the reparations, famously dismissed the peace treaty as "an armistice for 20 years." On September 1, 1939, Adolph Hitler would prove that prediction correct when Germany invaded Poland and ignited a second world war that would leave more than 40 million people dead and much of the world in ruins.

During World War II America would sacrifice more than 407,000 men and women to defeat the Axis Powers; Massachusetts citizens of all branches of military service constituted more than 13,000 of that total.

Battleship Cove is home to the Massachusetts' official memorial to all Bay Staters killed in service to their nation during World War II. Located on board USS Massachusetts, this memorial symbolizes the eternal gratitude of a proud Commonwealth and nation.

Visit the following links to explore the National Archives pages listing all Army/Army Air Corps personnel and Navy, Marine and Coast Guard personnel from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who died in service to their country during World War II.

SPECIAL OFFER: Honor a loved one's military service or any special occasion by flying an American flag from the superstructure of USS Massachusetts, or any other vessel at Battleship Cove. Flags can be flown for special days like anniversaries or for special events like retirements, reunions, or birthdays, too. After the flag is lowered, it is yours to keep, and packaged with a commemorative certificate noting the honoree's name, the name of the ship from which the flag was flown, and the date of the occasion.

Just $50. Contact the museum to reserve yours now.