Amid a Cold War, the heat of battle

From what was once a San Francisco houseboat, this landing craft has been carefully restored to its Korean War-era appearance. This display recreates the amphibious landing at Inchon in September 1950, which forced the collapse of the North Korean effort to conquer the peninsula.

During the Cold War, the United States Navy engaged in several "hot" conflicts. Gallery visitors will learn, for example, of the roles naval aviators and gunners played in the Korean War, as well as the impact of amphibious forces under United Nations commander General Douglas MacArthur.

Naval sea power served a key role during the Vietnam conflict, in which thousands of Sailors fought alongside Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines to defend South Vietnam against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese enemies. Over some of the most heavily defended skies in military history, hundreds of Naval aviators made the ultimate sacrifice or were captured and incarcerated in North Vietnam's notorious prisons, while countless others were wounded in service.

The Cold War Gallery will serve as a fitting tribute to the sacrifices
of these heroic individuals as well as the many others who served in combat conditions wherever duty took them. Exhibits will provide visitors with narratives of the conflicts with special displays focusing on the many daring - and dangerous - aspects of the Navy's involvement, from the role of carrier-based aviation and submarine reconnaissance missions to deadly riverine patrols in the Mekong Delta.