Battleship Missouri Memorial Receives Prestigious Award from the Government of Japan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN 

Japan honors President and CEO, Michael Allen Carr with the Order of the Rising Sun Award

Pearl Harbor, HI – (March 8, 2023) – The Battleship Missouri Memorial is proud to announce that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Allen Carr, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan.

This prestigious award is a recognition of Carr's significant contributions to promoting the understanding of Japan to the United States and fostering friendly relations between the two nations. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is a symbol of peace and reconciliation between the United States and Japan, and Carr's leadership has been instrumental in advocating this message.

Under his direction, the Mighty Mo has become an educational monument about the historic events that took place at during WWII and the Missouri’s 5 decades of service. Some of these significant events are further displayed by legendary Japanese artist, Hiroyuki Sugano. The Battleship Missouri Memorial currently has on display an exhibit “Legendary Naval Warriors – The World of Hiroyuki Sugano’s Pencil Drawings” showcasing remarkable naval artwork and short biographies of the U.S. and Japanese Sailors who served onboard theses ships in World War II. 

The Battleship Missouri Memorial also holds a sister museum partnership with the Yamato Museum in Kure, Japan and has engaged in exhibit exchanges with the Chiran Peace Museum and Hiroshima Peace museum to further promote a neutral display of the events of WWII.

"It is an incredible honor to receive this award from the Government of Japan,” said Mike Carr, president & CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “I'm truly grateful for our entire team who continuously supports the Battleship’s efforts to promote peace and friendship between our nations, and it is my privilege to share this honor with them."

Carr continues to work and foster strong relationships between the United States and Japan, and this award is a testament to his efforts. The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon is a high honor, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial is proud to have its leader recognized in this way.

Carr will be awarded this honor during a ceremony at the Consul General’s Official Residence on March 14. 

Battleship Missouri MemorialSince opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 9-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Military, kama‘āina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.

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Media Contacts:Jaclyn Hawse(808) 455-1600 ext. 246JaclynH@ussmissouri.org
Danielle Thomson(951) 746-0097 Danielle.Thomson@FinnPartners.com