US, Japan museums work together to preserve history of WWII battleships Missouri, Yamato

By The Associated Press

HONOLULU, Hawaii – U.S. and Japanese museums are forming a partnership to preserve and promote the history of the battleship USS Missouri and the Japanese battleship Yamato.

In September 1945, the Missouri hosted a ceremony where Japanese officials signed documents formally surrendering to Allied powers, ending World War II. Today, the battleship is moored in Pearl Harbor and is a museum.

The Yamato and its sister ship the Musashi were the two largest battleships ever built.

The Yamato was heading to the Battle of Okinawa with just enough fuel for a one-way voyage in April 1945 when 380 U.S. planes attacked it and its escort ships. The Yamato blew apart in a thunderous explosion.

The agreement announced Tuesday brings together the USS Missouri Memorial Association and the Kure Maritime Museum in Kure, Japan.

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