WWII Heritage Cities: Background
The World War II Heritage City Program came about from the desire to preserve and recognize cities and counties across the country that played a significant role in the war effort. The program is maintained by the U.S. National Park Service and is relatively new, with the first Heritage City of Wilmington, North Carolina being designated in 2020.
Currently the list of WWII Heritage Cities numbers 38 with new places being nominated each year. Each U.S. state and territory is allotted one city for designation, ensuring the selection process only highlights the most important WWII destination in each state. Heritage cities are not only valuable in preserving the past, they also make for a great list of travel sites for anyone seeking WWII destinations stateside.
To find out more about the program and for a list of current designated cities check out the official website.
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Savannah: A WWII Heritage City
As it is located in my home state of Georgia, a trip to Savannah was the logical first stop on my journey to visit all of the United States heritage cities. Designated as a Heritage City in 2022, Savannah served a critical role due to its strategic position as a port city, shipping millions of tons of war material. Additionally, the Savannah Shipyard built critical vessels including Minesweepers and Liberty Ships (cargo ships). The city also played a vital role in the air war as the home of the Eighth Air Force, the “Mighty Eighth,” which was activated in Savannah in 1942. Finally, the city served as a training ground for light bombers, ground support squadrons and fighter groups.
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Visiting Savannah's WWII Sites
Today, visitors to Savannah are rewarded with several reminders of the city’s role in the war effort as well as a beautiful coastal city exuding southern charm. Continue reading for a list of the best WWII related sites in this Heritage City.
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
The U.S. Eighth Air Force, nicknamed the “Mighty Eighth,” was called into service in 1942 and continued to serve throughout the war. It was home to some of the most celebrated veterans of the war from entertainers, including Jimmy Stewart and Glenn Miller, to legendary war heroes such as James Doolittle and Paul Tibbets (pilot of the Enola Gay).
The “Mighty Eighth” served gallantly in Europe, participating in bombing campaigns across the continent designed to destroy the Nazi war machine and eventually pave the way for the Normandy landings on D-Day. Over the course of the war, the Eighth lost 26,000 men killed in action and another 28,000 became prisoners of war.
Today the heroics of the “Mighty Eighth” are honored at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in the small town of Pooler, located a couple miles northwest of Savannah. The museum offers an immersive video experience of the role of the Eighth Air Force from mission briefing to bombing runs. It also includes faithful reconstructions of POW camps and safe houses. Additional elements of the museum include a memorial garden and chapel as well as countless artifacts from the men of the “Mighty Eighth.” The centerpiece of the grand exhibit hall is a B-17G Flying Fortress. Named City of Savannah, the bomber was rescued from a storage unit in Washington D.C. and has been in the process of being faithfully restored since 2009.
For more information including cost and opening hours visit the museum’s official website.
Fort Screven (Tybee Island)
Built in 1875 as a valuable coastal defense, Fort Screven was occupied for three wars, including World War II, during which time it was commanded by General George C. Marshall (of the Marshall Plan). Today, visitors can explore the original battery, wander down Officer’s Row past the former residence of Marshall and other high-ranking officials, and visit several homes and restaurants dating back to the days the area played host to soldiers rather than vacationing tourists.
Savannah WWII Monument
Located along Savannah’s picturesque River Street, the city’s World War II monument is appropriately named “A World Apart.” Dedicated in 2010, the monument depicts a globe torn in half, a poignant visual reminder of the destructive power of the Second World War which was felt throughout the world. The monument was purposely placed in a location overlooking the Savannah River, as it was through this waterway that valuable supplies were transported throughout the war.
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