The Havelock Tourist and Event Center, located in the aptly named town of Havelock, NC, is solely dedicated to the memory and history of the aviation history of the Marine Corp.
Among the displays of photographs and artifacts, are the stories of those who served, and in some cases, sacrificed, in the service of their nation for the Corps.
It comes as no surprise for such a museum to be located in this particular town, due to the close proximity of the town to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
The camp was originally established in 1941, prior to the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor by naval forces of the Japanese Navy.
The original name for the site was Cunningham Field, after the Marine Corps' first aviator pilot, Lt. Col. Alfred Cunningham, and was later Cherry Point after a near by post office and the local foliage.
During the Second World War, the camp's primary task was to train Marines for combat in the Pacific and Naval and Army Air Corps units for patrolling and destroying German U-Boats in the Atlantic.
Following the war, the base was used extensively in conflicts that followed; Korea, Viet-Nam, and both Gulf Wars.
The base also serves as a weather station today, and is considered one of the best in the world. Even aiding space shuttle launches for Cape Canaveral in Florida.
The museum itself is filled not only with pictures and relics of the Corps' history of aviation warfare, but also presents several specimens of aircraft used during various periods of U.S. history.
Among the aircraft shown for display include;
A recently restored Douglas A-4M Skyhawk
A McDonnell Douglas RF-4B Phantom
A Grumman F9F-6P Panther
Other historic aircraft are on display for the general public to enjoy, and there are many temporary exhibits shown to help educate visitors of the history of the Marine Aviation history, and the history between the Corp and Havelock itself.
An excellent spot for a side trip on any vacation, the museum offers a brief and keen glimpse into the history of one of the premier pilots in the world today.
Works Cited:
http://www.havelocknc.us/departments/tourist%20center/tecaviationexhibit...
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