The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum is located on the Camp Dodge military reservation in Johnston. Our efforts are dedicated to the state's veterans and citizen-soldiers, who gave their youth, their aspirations and in some cases their lives to serve America in times of peril. The 6,000-square-foot museum exhibits include one main gallery, a weapons gallery, a 34th Infantry Division gallery, a POW / MIA gallery, a Gold Star Exhibit, an art exhibit, and a museum store. Admission is free! 
Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday (year round) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed holiday & holiday weekends.

	Road sign from Logistics Base Echo, Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Storm, 1991.  1034thQuartermaster Supply Company, Iowa National Guard.  When the unit came home from the war in May 1991, they brought their home town direction sign with them.  See this and other Desert Storm items in Main Gallery.
	Iowa entered the Union as a state in December 1846, during the Mexican War.  Sixteen Iowa counties were named for persons, places or events from the Mexican War.
	The 113th Cavalry Group was mobilized for World War II in January 1941.  It was part of the Normandy invasion, and was the "eyes and ears" of the 19th U.S. Army Corps as it raced across Europe. They were the spearhead unit in the liberation of Northern France, Belgium and Holland. The organization ended the war as they met the Russian Army east of the Elbe River at Appollensdorf, Germany on 30 April 1945. Over 226,000 Iowans served in World War II.
	The Wall of Honor recognizes individuals and groups who have contributed to the Iowa Gold Star Museum's operations.  Etched bricks may be purchased for $150.00. Large 8 by 8 inch Paver Blocks for $500, or 8 by 12 inches for $1000.
	Over 76,000 Iowans served in the Civil War.  49 Infantry Regiments, 9 Cavalry Regiment, and 4 Light Artillery Batteries.  They represented 11% of our state's population.
	Display of Field Utensils and Rations used by soldiers from the Civil War Era to the Modern Era MRE's (Meal Ready to Eat)
	The war correspondent's exhibit recognizes Iowa correspondents who covered the fighting from World War II until today. Several prominent War Correspondent's include Jack Shelley (WHO Radio), Herb Plambeck (WHO Radio), Gordan Gammack (Des Moines Register and Tribune), John Carlson (Des Moines Register )
	Brigadier General (IA) Edward W. Bird (Ret) was a Des Moines, Iowa, native who answered his nation's call when the 34th Division was mobilized in February 1941.  He commanded two infantry battalions (34th & 45th Divisions) and was assigned as the relief commander of the Dachau Concentration Camp, when it was liberated in 1945.
	Iowa soldiers and airmen have served in every major military action since the Mexican War of 1846.
	This M-38 1/4 ton Willys jeep is featured in our indoor gallery.  Jeeps of this type were used during the Korean war. Over 85,000 Iowans served in the Korean War.
	Our outdoor display area includes vehicles from World War II, the Korean, Vietnam Conflicts, and today.
	Regiments of the Iowa National Guard served during 1916-1917 on the Mexican border to guard against attack from bandits and supporters of Poncho Villa.  The experience gained in the Mexican border deployment proved valuable when the Iowa National Guard was mobilized for World War I.
	Iowa contributed 114,242 service personnel to the American war effort. Pvt. Merle D. Hay of Glidden, Iowa was the first to die in combat on 3 November 1917.  Merle Hay Road in Des Moines was named in his honor. Pvt. Hay is buried in the Cemetery in Glidden, Iowa.
	Camp Dodge is named after Major General Glenville Dodge who lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He advanced in rank from Colonel to Major General during the Civil War.  MG Dodge Commanded the Forth Iowa Infantry Regt. during the Battle of Pea Ridge.
	This A7D "Corsair" fighter aircraft was one of the first received by the Iowa Air National Guard.  This aircraft was replaced by the F-16C, which is the current fighter flown by the Iowa Air Guard.   The A7D fighter is on display near the Camp Dodge NW Beaver Drive Gate.
	M-2 "Bradley" fighting vehicle with Operation Desert Shield/Storm markings is one of the many vehicles exhibited outside.
	Iowa's 168th Infantry Regiment is Iowa's most well known and decorated organization. It was originally organized from companies in Southwestern Iowa as the 4th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, by Colonel Grenville M. Dodge.  It was part of General Douglas Mac Arthur's 42nd (Rainbow) Division during World War I. The 168th was assigned along with 133rd Infantry (Iowa) and 135th Infantry (Minnesota) to the 34th Division during WWII.
	Colonel (Ret) Aloysius Rolfes, the first Museum Director , 27th Infantry Division veteran of the WWII Pacific Campaign.  Col (Ret) Rolfes retired from the Iowa National Guard and U.S. Army with Forty-One years of service.  Al serves as Director of Volunteers for the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.  Volunteers to work at the Museum are always appreciated. Contact the museum at 515-252-4531
	OFLAG 64 was an officer's prisoner of war camp in Northern Poland during World War II.  A large number of 34th Division officers were interned here during the war following their capture at Kasserine and Fiad Passes (Northern Africa) in 1943.  This scaled model was constructed by Major (Ret) Robert Eckman, the 168th Infantry Regimental Supply Officer.
	This Medal of Honor was received by Private. Edward James Bebb for his actions at Columbus, Georgia, where he captured a Confederate flag on April 16, 1865.   He was a soldier in the 4th Iowa Cavalry during the Civil War.
	The 34th Infantry (Red Bull) Division was a premier unit in the fighting in North Africa and Europe during World War II.  It still holds the record for the most (517) days of continuous combat for any division in Army history.
	US Airborne soldiers during World War II carried enough weapons, ammunition, food, and equipment into battle to survive behind enemy lines. The exhibit photo above depicts a soldier of the 17th Airborne Division during spring 1945.
	Korean War exhibit styled after a Korean War era tent. Between the war's beginning on 25 June 1950 and the armistice of 27 July 1953 over 85,000 Iowans served with all branches of the military costing the lives of 508 before the war's end.
	Information, Personal Items and Photos on Iowan's Serving in Hawaii during the raid on Pearl Harbor December, 1941.  The unprovoked attack by the Japanese plunged the United States into WWII.  At the time of the attack, Iowa National Guard Soldiers had been mobilized for 1 year and were stationed at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana (34th ID) and Camp Bowie, Texas (113th Cav).
	Photo of WWI M.G.08 German machine gun.  This was the standard machinegun of German forces during WWI. On the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1, 1916, British troops advanced against German M.G.08's and by dusk the German guns had killed or wounded nearly 60,000 British troops.  Over 150 Weapons are on display at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.
	Equipment and Personal items used by Japanese Soldiers during World War II.
	Image of early Iowa State Patrol Uniform on exhibit in the Iowa State Patrol gallery.  This and other objects show the history and service of the Iowa State Patrol since their founding in 1935.
	Cup Found in WWI Camp Dodge Incinerator Excavation Site.
	World War I Liberty Truck.

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