From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
World War II Heritage City (officially American World War II Heritage City ) is an honorary designation applied by
National Park Service of the United States government to an American city or region in recognition of its contributions to the war effort of World War II and its continuing work to preserve its military history.
History
Donald Trump speaks at the designation of
Wilmington, North Carolina as the first World War II Heritage City in September 2020.
The idea for the World War II Heritage City program was originated by
Wilbur D. Jones Jr. , a retired
United States Navy captain and military historian, in about 2008.
[1] The designation was made law in an act sponsored by
United States Senator
Thom Tillis and
United States Representative
David Rouzer and signed by
President of the United States
Donald Trump in 2019 as Public Law 116–9.
[2]
[3]
In September 2020,
Wilmington, North Carolina was designated the first World War II Heritage City.
[4]
Criteria
Any city credited with a major contribution to the American war effort during
World War II and which, since the end of hostilities, has actively endeavored to preserve its military legacy can be designated a World War II Heritage City.
[1] The
Secretary of the Interior is authorized to designate cities. No more than one such city in any single state or territory can be named.
[5] Other jurisdictions, such as counties, towns, or townships are eligible.
List of Heritage Cities
Foley, Alabama
Tempe, Arizona
Richmond, California
East Hartford, Connecticut
Wilmington, Delaware
Pensacola and
Escambia County, Florida , Florida
Savannah and
Chatham County, Georgia
Evansville, Indiana
Waterloo, Iowa
Wichita, Kansas
New Orleans, Louisiana
Baltimore County, Maryland
Springfield, Massachusetts
[6]
[7]
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Johnson County and
Warrensburg, Missouri
Lewistown, Montana
Hastings, Nebraska
Boulder City and
Henderson, Nevada
Paterson, New Jersey
Los Alamos County, New Mexico
Yonkers, New York
Wilmington, North Carolina
Dayton and
Montgomery County, Ohio
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
South Texas Bend area and
Corpus Christi, Texas
Bedford County, Virginia
Tri-Cities (
Kennewick ,
Pasco ,
Richland and
West Richland ), Washington
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Casper and
Natrona County, Wyoming
[8]
See also
References
^
a
b Bonner, Bob (September 2, 2020).
"Wilmington set to become America's first World War II Heritage City" .
WECT-TV . Retrieved September 14, 2020 .
^
"Wilmington could be first WWII Heritage City after bill signed into law" .
WWAY-TV . March 12, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2020 .
^
"United States Code" . house.gov .
U.S. House of Representatives . Retrieved September 14, 2020 .
^ Hilburn, Rachel (September 14, 2020).
"President Trump To Declare Wilmington First Official World War II Heritage City" .
WUNC-FM . Retrieved September 2, 2020 .
^
"American World War II Heritage City Program" . nps.gov .
National Park Service . Retrieved September 14, 2020 .
^
"City of Springfield Designated an American World War II Heritage City by National Park Service - Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)" .
^
https://www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/news-story?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=16042&cHash=df98fa6c04cdd81241285cd99218c863
^
"National Park Service announces new American World War II Heritage Cities - Office of Communications (U.S. National Park Service)" .