This is the story of how one pair of Browning M2 fifty-caliber machine guns ended up in the NFA registry. There are many other stories similar to this, and many more guns like these sitting in a basement, garage or attic of a veteran or his widow. This story starts in Honolulu, circa 1965. A young commercial diver joins the US Navy, and is stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS Goldsborough, a guided missile frigate home ported at Pearl Harbor. Upon joining the Navy, the young man would come to learn that his skills as a diver would be well appreciated, and lead us directly into this tale.

O’ahu during World War Two was a beehive of activity. Over 75 active military installations existed across the Hawaiian Islands allowing thousands of sailors, soldiers, and Marines to protect the United States from the threat of Japanese invasion. Part of the force protection included regular aircraft patrols surrounding the Hawaiian Islands and identification of any perceived threat following the attack at Pearl Harbor. As a result, patrols of the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Hawaiian Islands by P-40 Warhawk fighter aircraft were common.

Sometime in 1942, a P-40 Warhawk prepared for take-off at Mokuleia Airfield on the North Shore of O’ahu. What appeared to be another routine patrol soon turned out to be anything but normal. As the plane took off, it immediately experienced a mechanical event serious enough to force the pilot to bail out of the aircraft. Luckily, the pilot was safely recovered. The P-40 Warhawk settled in 15 feet of water just off the coast of O’ahu, and within sight of Mokuleia Airfield. Use of North Shore beaches during World War Two was not at all like what the present day tourist may experience. The beaches of O’ahu near military installations were off limits to civilians, and on-going active military operations prevented the recovery of an otherwise broken and useless fighter plane sitting in 15 feet of water. As a result, the aircraft would sit and wait; forgotten until 1965.

Fast forward to 1965. Being stationed at Pearl Harbor had its advantages for the thousands of sailors, and Marines stationed there. Waikiki was an easy 20 minute drive, the North Shore of O’ahu beckoned with beautiful beaches, and the weather was much better than the winters experienced in much of the continental United States.

While snorkeling on the North Shore near the Mokuleia Airfield on the Fourth of July, 1965, the forgotten P-40 Warhawk Fighter was discovered in 15 feet of water by a group of sailors from the USS Goldsborough. As a commercial diver prior to entering the Navy, our hero (who has requested that he not be identified by name) was contacted and asked to check out the wreck. Upon further exploration, the cockpit, engine, and part of the right wing were all that was left of the aircraft after twenty-three years of sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor. The pilot’s seat was clearly visible within the cockpit, and most importantly, all six .50 caliber Browning machineguns were still present.

Using only a mask and snorkel, our young diver managed to recover three of the Browning fifty-caliber machine guns. One of the Browning machineguns was jolted out of the aircraft upon crash landing, and was discovered resting upon the ocean floor. As expected, this gun was covered in coral and in poor condition due to exposure to the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. The other five guns however, were still bolted within the aircraft’s wings. After spending 23 years under water, the aluminum wings of the aircraft were fairly brittle, and our diver was able to recover all five machineguns from the aircraft. Surprisingly, the aluminum of the aircraft wings protected the Brownings, and the guns experienced very little corrosion, despite spending such a long period of time underwater.

As the sun set into the Pacific Ocean on the Fourth of July weekend of 1965, our diver was able to recover three of the six guns from the wreck. Consider that while using only a mask and snorkel, the young diver carried the guns underwater from the site of the wreck to shore, dropping the guns to the ocean floor each time he needed to come to the surface for air. At the end of the day, the young diver was exhausted, and unable to recover the remaining three guns. As a result, he stashed the remaining three guns under a nearby coral reef for retrieval at a future date.

Upon return, the remaining three guns were gone. Perhaps a bystander saw the young diver’s treasure and recovered the remaining three guns. Perhaps the ocean currents covered the guns in sand and prevented their subsequent recovery. In either case, we know for sure that only three of the six guns were recovered from the wreck by the diver. Of the three guns recovered, two were functional and taken from the wing of the P-40 aircraft. The third gun was discovered lying on the ocean floor; it was covered in coral and in poor condition.

Upon return to the USS Goldsborough, the young diver discovered that the powder was still dry within the cartridges, the primers still live, and that two of the guns and ammunition were still functional despite the long period spent under the ocean. The ammunition within the guns possessed manufacturing dates of 1941 and 1942. After test firing a few rounds, the guns were put away, with little thought of registering them with the Alcohol Tax Unit, (ATU) a unit of Internal Revenue Service, and predecessor of the modern day Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).

Word of the recovery spread within the Navy community at Pearl Harbor, and before long, an ATU agent was requesting permission to board the USS Goldsborough. Upon examination of the Brownings, the ATU agent informed the young diver that the guns would need to be registered, pursuant to the 1934 NFA Act. In 1965, two-hundred dollars was a lot of money, and registering the guns with the ATU was going to be more than the young diver could afford, given his military salary. The ATU agent offered a solution. Because the coral-covered Browning was clearly not functional, the ATU agent indicated that it did not need to be registered. However, because the other two Brownings were clearly functional, the guns could be deactivated, and registered for five dollars a piece. Given the diver’s situation, one cannot blame him for electing to deactivate the Brownings and pay ten dollars instead of paying four hundred dollars to possess live guns. The Brownings were taken to the machinist area on board the USS Goldsborough, where the original Form 1 notes that the guns were acquired on July 5, 1965. The Form 1 continues but noting that the guns were deactivated by “plugging barrel with steel pin and welding same, steel pin put through rear barrel into barrel extension which locks head space, steel pin placed into firing pin chamber, and back plate welded to receiver.” The Form 1, dated January 18, 1966, was approved by ATU on February 16, 1966.

The young diver ended his military service and settled into the Portland, Oregon area, with the Brownings safely stored in his garage. Little thought was given to them until 2003, when a mutual friend to the author told an incredible story about how an old-timer had recovered three Browning machineguns from the Pacific Ocean and had an amazing story to tell. Negotiations to buy the Brownings commenced, and the two functional guns were sold. The young diver, now retired and in his mid 60’s, had no desire to sell the remaining coral encrusted Browning, as it served as a reminder of his service in the Navy, his underwater adventure, and his time spent stationed at Pearl Harbor in the mid 1960’s.

The guns are currently being repaired, and have been reactivated on ATF Form 1’s. Given the historic tale connected with these guns, the current owner intends to keep the guns together as a pair, in their original aircraft configuration.

By Rick Cartledge

Many of SAR’s readers use their firearms during interesting events. Here is a story of the making of one part of the movie “Pearl Harbor”, and the effect that some of SAR’s readers and contributors had on ensuring authenticity in the film.

The telephone rang on a Thursday evening. When answered, the other end of the line yielded the distinctive voice of Kevin Brittingham. Kevin telephoned to discuss a shoot on Saturday, November 11, 2000. I said, ‘The 11th will be Armistice Day. You have a great sense of timing.’

Kevin, Vince Mueller, and Harold Shinn had done the shooting for the sound recording of the landmark film ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (see SAR Oct 99). Christopher Boyes, one of the Academy Award winners for ‘Saving Private Ryan’, again had contacted him at Advanced Armament Corporation.. Kevin had assembled a crew to do the firearms sound effects for a new motion picture. Kevin also stated the he already had contacted his brother Greg to open his large private gun range for motion picture use. Kevin invited me to come and put some brass on the ground for the new motion picture ‘Pearl Harbor’.

Advanced Armament possessed nearly all of the automatic guns required. Kevin knew that, in our area, a number of Title II owners shot Japanese weapons. Kevin wanted specific vintage weapons to capture not similar sounds but the exact sounds of early World War II. We had the rest of what he required. We also had a surprise.

After Kevin hung up, I telephoned Forbes Mathews and told him of the project. Forbes responded enthusiastically. He stated that he would bring a Japanese Type 96, a Japanese Type 99, and Japanese Type 11 (see SAR Dec 00). I then asked Forbes to bring the first gun that he ever bought — an immaculate Colt Commercial .50 caliber water-cooled gun made in 1922. Though we will do a later article on this particular gun, the short story follows. This gun contains an adjustable buffer. With a few flicks of the wrist, the gunner may set the RPM from 550 to nearly 1200. A weapon such as this sat in the later named Tora Tora Tora rigs at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

After hanging up, I thought about the Saturday to come. I remembered a particular story from the U.S.S. Nevada. On that fateful morning, her band and Marine Guard assembled on her deck to raise the colors. About half way through the ceremony, a Japanese dive bomber swooped across her decks. The tail gunner sprayed the assembled band and Honor Guard. He hit no one. The assembled men said ‘To Hell with them’ and finished raising our flag and playing the Star Spangled Banner. They then went to their battle stations and galantly defended their ship. We would go on Saturday to pay tribute to these men and the many others who stood for us so long ago. No one could not have kept any of us away.

Advanced Armament

Forbes came by before sunrise on Saturday morning. We loaded up and rode northward toward Advanced Armament Corporation in Lawrenceville, Georgia and rolled up at the front entrance about 9 o’clock. In front of us sat two large trucks. Vince Mueller completed the loading of cased guns into the front truck. Vince then loaded some extra crates of ammunition into the rear truck Kevin came out the front entrance and offered coffee. We gratefully accepted. As we finished the coffee, Chris Boyes and the Skywalker Sound crew arrived.

We motored northward through several counties to Greg Brittingham’s farm. There we rolled up in front of the gun range. A pickup truck (read that “target”) sat parked at the far end near the high berm. We unloaded equipment and talked guns as the Skywalker crew set microphones and recording consoles. The conversation as well as the efficiency of the crew proved nothing short of amazing.

A few words about Advanced Armament Corporation. Over a number of years Kevin Brittingham has built a prosperous and nationally respected business. In addition to the well-stocked inventory of regular firearms, Advanced Armament carries a fine selection of Title 2. At their indoor gun range next door, they rent Title 2 for practice and test firing. Advanced Armament also manufactures suppressors for commercial sales. During this weekend, Advanced Armament suppressors would assist Skywalker Sound. These suppressors would help the Skywalker technicians capture bullets in flight. The skilled technicians of Skywalker would then deliver those recordings to the soundtrack of ‘Pearl Harbor’.

Armistice Day

Motion picture shooting differs from group shooting. The recording engineers seek pure sound on the track. They mix the sound in their studios to fit the action on screen. In studio they may combine, abbreviate, or round off shots. Thus the shooting done rates as pure sound. With this understanding, we set up the guns. The men of Skywalker Sound set up their recorders and microphones to capture it all.

We finished the safety meeting about 10:45 in the morning. The technicians of Skywalker Sound finished the preliminary set-ups down range about 10:55. I noted that we had gathered on Armistice Day. We should fire the first shot at 11:00am, the traditional time to remember the Armistice- the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. In so doing we would put some brass on the ground to honor the Men and Women of 1918. Michael Mathews, the youngest member of the shooting team, took his position at the line. At 11:00 he let off a burst and we let out a cheer. The Skywalker crew went through their final sound checks. Then we got down to business.

Michael Mathews fired all of the Japanese light machine guns that one will hear in ‘Pearl Harbor’. He first fired the Japanese Type 11 previously written up in SAR. The Type 11 takes 6.5 Norma loads. The supply of ammunition stood as adequate but not large. Aren Downey gave the call ‘Type 11 light machine gun!’. A pause followed. Michael then let off a short burst. Another pause followed. Aren yelled ‘Cut!’. We all applauded. Chris then asked Michael to do a medium burst in the same fashion. Michael did. Then came a long burst. Afterwards came varying bursts of varying lengths. Just as Michael loaded in his last set of stripper clips, John Fasal announced that they had enough. Chris Boyes smiled at the coordination between Michael Mathews and the Skywalker crew.

Michael then turned to the Japanese Type 96 Nambu LMG. Michael went through the same procedure with the Type 96. This Nambu light gave a different speed and sound to the 6.5 cartridge. We also pointed out that this gun still enjoyed manufacture during the time frame of the motion picture. Though discontinued in 1943, the Type 96 remained a favorite with the Japanese troops throughout the War. The Type 96 fired loads crafted from 35 Remington cases. Herman Lysle and Doug Hollberg crafted the loads for both the Type 11 and the Type 96. They used lower pressure loads. For both of these guns we repeat the caveat from Ed Libby. “DO NOT USE ANY WORLD WAR II OR CHINESE AMMUNITION IN THESE GUNS.”

The next gun brought a price break in the cost of ammunition. Michael got down behind a Japanese Type 99 chambered in .308. The .308 cartridge provides the same sound as the 7.7. It does so at considerably less expense than the Japanese 7.7 round. Skywalker Sound put Michael through the same paces as with the other two guns. The 99’s throatier, different speed sound boomed out as Michael pulled the trigger. With a pause after the final blast, Aren said ‘Cut!’. That signaled Michael’s final round in the soundtrack of ‘Pearl Harbor’.

Heavy Hitters

Forbes Mathews rolled out his heavy .50 rig. Chris Boyes came over to examine the unique rig capped by the historic .50 caliber gun. This commercial water-cooled gun dates from 1922, carrying the Colt serial number C18xx. I explained to Chris that this gun exhibited the identical characteristics as those fired from the later named Tora Tora Tora rigs at Pearl Harbor. Forbes then showed Chris the adjustable buffer. This buffer varies the RPM from 550 to 1200. Without hesitation, Mr. Boyes asked for the high speed sound.

Ethan Van Der Ryn rolled the tapes and Aren gave the name of the gun. A pause followed. Forbes dropped the hammer. After another pause, Aren yelled ‘Cut!’. Chris Boyes stood in amazement. ‘That’s the damnedest gun sound I’ve ever heard.’ Forbes laughed and stated, ‘This gun has been banned on gun ranges in two states.’ After the first firing, the Skywalker crew set a steel plate. They also added two additional microphones to capture the shells that fell from the Commercial .50. In the motion picture the distinguished actor Cuba Gooding Jr. fires a .50 caliber gun. One may listen for the unique sound and the tumbling shells of this fine gun as one views ‘Pearl Harbor’. Those who come to the Knob Creek Show and Shoot may view this same fine gun. They will find it next to the deuce and a half on KCR’s main line.

Henning Brown then rolled out the two field guns, a 25 Hotchkiss and a Pak 35. Curtis Hawkins, well-known specialist in Title 2, came down from the Georgia mountains to put these guns through their paces. Curtis checked the guns and flipped down the shield on the Pak 35. Curtis then swung the breeches open and yelled, ‘The line is clear’. With that Scott Gitteau and John Fasal went down range to arranged the microphones. When Scott and John came back past the guns, Curtis yelled, ‘The line is hot’. Mr. Van Der Ryn got the recorders up to speed. Aren said the name ’25 Hotchkiss’ and paused. Mr. Hawkins put a round through the pickup truck hunkered down at the end of the range. ‘Cut’ followed another pause. Curtis repeated the procedure a number of times with the 25 Hotchkiss and the Pak 35.

Henning Brown and Kevin Brittingham then moved to the far side of the line. They took up positions behind two .50 caliber M2 guns. They flipped up the covers and swung the barrels safely away from the firing line. They stepped back from the guns and signaled Chris Boyes that all was clear. Chris sent Scott Gitteau and John Fasal down the line to check the extant microphones and set up several additional microphones. When Scott and John came back across the line, Henning and Kevin approached the M2s. They loaded the guns and stood at the ready.

One found the firing of these guns to be particularly interesting. Henning and Kevin fired these guns together and separately in both short and long bursts. The steel impact plate employed on Forbes Mathews’ water-cooled .50 also saw service here. Together Henning and Kevin’s guns produced a distinctly different 1100 RPM sound. When fired separately the two guns produced a completely different 550 RPM sound. As stated before, the magic rests in the recording. When we view the motion picture we shall listen for the .50’s with great interest.

Drew Wolfe and Tracy Moore helped Chris Neufeld haul out a matched pair of heavy hitters. These hitters consisted of a brace of German 81 aircraft guns. These guns give a high speed sound that is as distinctive as it is awesome. Aren gave the name of the guns and a pause followed. Drew, Tracy, and Chris took turns putting massive amounts of brass on the ground. These guns fire in very similar fashion to the Japanese aircraft guns. Their sounds will add greatly to the sound track.

Kevin Brittingham then brought out a veteran of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ — the 20MM S-1000 Solothurn gun. This magnificent gun came to be in the 1930s as an anti-tank weapon. Though a great step forward, the evolution of ever stronger tank armor throughout the 1930s soon rendered this beautifully crafted gun obsolescent. The Afrika Corps later employed the Solothurn as a brutally efficient sniper weapon from Tunisia to Egypt. The survivability of anyone hit with a 20MM round rated at about zero. In ‘Ryan’ Kevin skillfully employed the Solothurn. In his hands the Solothurn yielded the authentic sound for the German Flak gun. In ‘Pearl Harbor’ the Solothurn takes on the guise of other appropriate weaponry.

Viewing this weapon is one thing. Firing the Solothurn is something else. The gun balances well and the sights line up easily. The chain driven cocking takes some getting used to. The trigger pull stands as unlike anything else. Several remarked that the trigger pull seemed to be measured in pounds rather than ounces. When the firing pin strikes the primer, one does not mistake it. The flat shooter pushes as much as it kicks. The projectile hits whatever lines up in the sights. The gun fires the standard 20 x 108B round. This effective round still enjoys world wide acceptance. One finds this round in production at this very hour. Though all who fired the Solothurn did well with it, Mr. Brittingham possesses a particular affinity with this gun. With this gun, as with many others, we await the magic worked by the men of Skywalker Sound.

‘It Ain’t Over Until It’s Over’

With respect to Yogi Berra, we must state the following. Motion pictures consist of an assemblage of many parts. The screen writer, the actors, the cameras, and many other elements contribute. The director oversees all. Michael Bay directed this motion picture. Jerry Bruckheimer produced it. Randall Wallace wrote the sceenplay. The Touchstone Picture stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, and the afore mentioned Cuba Gooding Jr. The shooting in Georgia gave a small but significant part of the whole.

As we got ready to leave, Chris Boyes came over to the truck and spoke with me. He asked specific questions that would aid him in his studio work. We gave answers. I also gave him a copy of December 2000 SAR to assist him in his work.. Chris thanked us for coming and for giving input to the motion picture. We told him how much we respected his work and that of Shannon Mills in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. We hoped that ‘Pearl Harbor’ would be received at least as well. With that, we said our good byes and rode off as dusk blended softly into night.

As we rode southward we spoke of the day done. Forbes talked of how much he enjoyed the shoot and the good friends that we had seen once again. Michael Mathews echoed the words that his father had spoken. He then stated that he would tell all of his friends about it. Then I said something to Michael. These words spanned more than 100 years.

‘We will see the movie ‘Pearl Harbor’ on Memorial Day. We will know the part that we played in it. Four sets of days determined the freedom in which we now live — Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Midway, and Normandy. Those days happened more than 50 years ago. What I am talking about at present is a day some 50 years from now. On that day, you will be a grandfather. Your father and I probably will be gone. You should sit with your grandchildren and view this motion picture. Tell your grandchildren about that day long ago when you, your father, and I went to north Georgia. Tell them about how the free men of Georgia met with the talented men from California. Together they crafted the shooting sound tract for this motion picture. Tell your grandchildren of the part that you played in ‘Pearl Harbor’. More importantly, tell them of the freedom that this motion picture represents.’ Michael said, ‘I will.’

We all smiled as we motored into the night, southward toward hearth and home.

Credits:

Kevin Brittingham, Advanced Armament Corporation, 221 West Crogan ST, Lawrenceville, GA 30045, 770-277-4946

Ms. Kristine Krueger, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire BLVD, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310-247-3000

Henning Brown, The Firing Line, 115 Mill Center BLVD, Bogart, GA 30622, 706-546-6111

It was approximately 8:10 AM when a 1,760 pound armor-piercing bomb penetrated the deck of the USS Arizona and exploded in the foreword ammunition magazine. Less than nine minutes following the massive explosion the ship was sunk, bringing 1,177 of her crew to the bottom with her.

Numerous other ships, including the USS California, the USS West Virginia, the USS Utah, the USS Maryland, the USS Tennessee, the USS Nevada and the USS Pennsylvania were either sunk or subject to enormous damage during the same attack. The death toll was high on, and around the base.

At the very same time, other military installations on Oahu including Hickam and Bellows Airfields were being attacked. Numerous planes were destroyed during these attacks and many additional lives were lost, as well as our effective ability to defend ourselves.

Although the sounds of the attack could be heard for miles around, along with the air-raid sirens, it was the feeling of many of the local civilians that the attack they could hear was simply another training exercise. Many went about their normal daily business that morning, including going to school and to work, only to learn of the attack later. Some civilians in Honolulu were not so fortunate, as a number of improperly fused American anti-aircraft shells fell on them. At the time they were thought to be Japanese bombs.

After the Army Air Corps had been able to take off in a few U.S. fighters and start shooting down enemy planes, the attack would soon come to an end. At 10:00 AM, the remainder of the second Japanese wave flew to the North and one of the most famous attacks in history came to an end. From this point, the American citizens, once deeply divided on the issue of our involvement in WWII, forged a commitment to defeat Japan as well as their axis partners.

The USS Arizona Memorial in its current configuration was completed in 1961, and dedicated in 1962. It is a white, 184 foot-long structure that sits directly above the sunken remains of the USS Arizona, spanning the mid-portion of the ship without actually touching it. The design of the memorial, with the structure being lower in the center than at the ends, is supposed to symbolize initial defeat and our ultimate victory. The seven openings on both sides and the ceiling of the memorial simulate the shape of 21 soldiers at “Parade Rest” keeping a watchful eye on those who lay in the tomb below.

From the memorial floor, the remains of the ship can be easily seen under the beautiful, blue water of Pearl Harbor. Close examination of the water under the memorial will periodically reveal colorful floating circles of oil still leaking from a hatch right beside the base of the #3 gun turret.

The memorial itself has three sections. First is the receiving area and assembly room where you initially step onto the memorial from the harbor. The center of the memorial was designed for ceremonies and general observation. This is the long area where you will see the large openings. It is in this center portion where you can view the USS Arizona as it lies in the waters of the harbor below. The third area of the memorial is the shrine room, where the names of all who were killed are engraved and immortalized on a marble wall. Below this wall you will see many Leis, placed by visitors of the memorial as a token of respect.

As you arrive at the visitor center, you must first stop at the ticket counter and pick up a tour ticket. These are free of charge and will indicate the time of your tour. While you are waiting for your tour, you can browse around the museum and bookstore. At the time your tour is supposed to start, you will be directed to a theater across from the museum, and given a briefing by a member of the National Park Service. This briefing will be followed by a 20 minute documentary film about the attack on Pearl Harbor. The footage is original and very powerful. As soon as the film is over, you walk to the boat landing, and a United States Navy shuttle boat will take you out to the memorial. You will return on the same shuttle boat when they return with the next group of visitors.

Anyone who visits this museum and memorial will be treated to an amazing historical view, over and above what I have described so far. As you head from the boat launch to the memorial, just beyond the memorial it you will notice another major player in the Pacific theatre. The USS Missouri, commonly known as the Mighty Mo has been assigned to Pearl harbor as its new resting place. As history would have it, the Mighty Mo symbolizes the end of our involvement in WWII as this is where the surrender documents were signed by the Japanese. It is directly behind the Arizona Memorial and in one quick snapshot, you can capture symbols of the beginning and the end of our involvement in WWII.

USS Arizona Memorial
1 Arizona Memorial Place
Honolulu, HI 96818
(808)422-2771

SAR had the opportunity to visit the USS Bowfin Museum on Oahu recently, and considering that our theme this December is remembering the War in the Pacific some fifty years ago, we wanted to share the location of several museums in the Pearl Harbor area. The USS Bowfin Museum presents a rare opportunity for us landlubbers to enter and see exactly what the living spaces were like for the brave men who fought under the sea.

Of special interest to SAR readers are the “small arms” that are located here. I was especially struck by two pieces- the Oerlikon MK 20mm machine gun on the boat itself, and the quad 40mm Bofors gun. The Oerlikon had that special dramatic presence that a drum fed 20mm with shoulder supports can evoke. Not particularly useful against a Destroyer, but against small boats and shore problems- quite efficient. Used in an Anti-Aircraft role, they served up until Vietnam. The Bofors, well, that had just been re-painted and was a wonderful sight. Everything appeared correct, so these were a good set to bring to SAR.

Once again, we at SAR leave you with the following wish- that if you get the opportunity to go to these museums, take a kid, and leave a twenty in the donation jar, to help bring these wonders to future generations. – Dan

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

A non-profit organization operated by the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association11 Arizona Memorial Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818-3145
Phone (808) 423-1341
Fax (808) 422-5201

Visit them on the web at: http://www.aloha.net/~bowfin/

* Located adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor

* Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., last tour of the submarine at 4:30 p.m.

* Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

* Children under the age of four are not permitted on the submarine for safety reasons, however are allowed to tour the museum and mini-theater at no charge.

* Submarine & Museum Adult tour is $8; child rate (ages 4 to 12) is $3

* Special $6 rate is available for military, senior citizens and Hawaii residents (with proper identification)
* Special school group or non-profit group rates are available with advance reservation. Call (808) 423-1341 or email them for more details at bowfin@aloha.net.