About Us

Museum Mission Statement

The 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum was established in 1945 to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history of the Division from 1917 to the present. The primary purpose of the museum is education: To tell the military and civilian communities about the Division.

The museum staff

Mr. John W. Aarsen – Director.
Mr. Christopher M. Ruff – Curator.
Mrs. Danielle R. Hackbarth – Museum Archives and Library.
Ms. Shantay McQueen – Gift Shop Manager.

Museum History

Major General James M. Gavin began the concept of the museum in 1945, when the 82d Airborne Division received the honor of Occupation Duty in Berlin at the end of World War II. Inside the Division headquarters a trophy and newsroom held information about their war effort and the nation’s victory.

In 1946, after the 82d Airborne Division returned to the states and started to call Fort Bragg home, the first museum began in one of the wooden office buildings in what is now called “the old Division area.” At first, there was not much inside of the building, As the Division grew, it moved to its current area of Fort Bragg. Through several building expansions and exhibit redesigns, we continue to tell the history of the 82d, share its customs and traditions, honor our Veterans, and support our military families.

From 1955 to 1958, new barracks, offices, warehouses and a headquarters building were constructed to house men and equipment. In early 1956, Major General Trapnell directed the formation of the 82d Airborne Division Historical Society and for the Division to plan for construction of a permanent museum. Veterans, local Fayetteville businesses and the 82d Association raised funds to build the museum. Chaplain George B. Wood, World War II Division Chaplain, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony, August 1956. Paratroopers from each unit that fought with the 82d during World War II consecrated the grounds by striking the earth with a golden pickaxe at each corner where the building would stand, as Chaplain Wood read aloud each unit’s total Killed in Action. The 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum is the second oldest U.S. Army Museum and still resides in the same location. It was officially opened by General James M. Gavin, Major General John W. Bowen (CG) and Chaplain Wood on 18 January 1957.

In Air, On Land. Airborne. All the Way!

82^nd Airborne Division Historical Society Museum Foundation

We are the 82^nd Airborne Division Historical Society Museum Foundation, Board of Directors, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization. Since 1956, we have supported the 82^nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, Military Families, and Veterans. Our work encompasses funding museum construction and expansion projects, sponsoring Museum Family Events, and sending 82^nd Airborne Division WWII Veterans back to Normandy for the D-Day Anniversary. We provide support to our Museum, Families, and Veterans free of charge and do not receive compensation for our work. We are retired Army Veterans and believe that service continues beyond-the-uniform.

Board Members:

LTC (Ret) Mark Ackers – President
MSG (Ret) Joe Tolley – President Emeritus
CSM (Ret) Roger Vickers – Vice President
Ms. Shantay McQueen – Secretary
CSM (Ret) Chris Nunez – Treasure
SFC (Ret) Jim O’Connor – Director
MSG (Ret) Ken Ray – Director
SFC Steve Wykel – Director
COL (Ret) Mike C. Lopez – Director
BG (Ret) John W. Aarsen – Ex-Officio

The Historical Society’s purpose, “Honor The Past, Preserve The Future” by expanding the Museum’s exhibit space keeping pace with the Division’s continuing history of service and sacrifice in the defense of our nation in peacetime engagements, conflicts, and wars for future generations of Americans. The U.S. Army owns and operates the Museum to train 82^nd Airborne Division Soldiers in their history. The Army does not fund Museum construction nor expansion projects. The Society funds Museum expansion through public / private donors, donations, and grants. Join us in remembering the All-American Division’s history. Donate today!

In Air, On Land. Airborne. All The Way!

Disclaimer: The 82d Airborne Division Historical Society is not endorsed by DOD. “This is a non-federal entity. It is not a part of the department of defense or any of its components and has no governmental status.”