Herbert Hanneman: Prisoner of War in the Pacific
Herbert Hanneman National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September, established in 1979. Herbert H. Hanneman from Madison, Wisconsin, was a prisoner of war during World War II. He served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1945. Since Hanneman had
Crossing a Line with the U.S. Navy
Each branch of service in the United States military has its own set of unique traditions, rituals, and ceremonies. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum archives documents many of these through letters in which men and women describe them to their loved ones, photographs that capture the events as they happen, and
A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at the D-Day Exhibit
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is pleased to partner with renowned military artist, Keith Rocco, on the exhibition of his traveling exhibit, D-Day, Omaha Beach. Rocco first collaborated with the museum in 1992, when he was commissioned to paint the murals found in the galleries of the museum in advance
Honoring Thomas J. Lucas on National Airborne Day
August 16, 2025, is National Airborne Day. In celebration, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum would like to honor the story of Thomas “Tom” J. Lucas, who served as a paratrooper in the United States Army in World War II and the Korean War, including participating in a combat jump on D-Day,
Valdor W. John, Sr on the Battle of Taejon (75th Anniversary)
Seventy-five years ago, the North Korean military invaded South Korea. Here is the story from veteran Valdor W. John, Sr., who fought at the Battle of Taejon and witnessed first-hand the Allied effort to delay the North Korean advance. John became a prisoner of war and then survived the Tiger
Gay Veterans Reflect on Their Service Experiences
Mary “Maria” E. Hanson-Bailey In recognition of Pride Month, we highlight interviews with two gay soldiers who served in the military before gay people could serve openly. Their experiences are a reminder of how policies changed making the military more inclusive. On September 20, 2011, the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
Unique Bonds that Come from Serving Together
The intense experiences of military life often create special bonds among those who serve together. Veterans may refer to their comrades as brothers, sisters, buddies, or family. But in some ways, these descriptors don't quite capture the true nature of these unique relationships. In the following interview excerpts, several veterans
A Succession of U.S. Army Kings
Wisconsin Ties to the Revolutionary War Two hundred fifty years ago, Harvard College student Rufus King (1755-1827) interrupted his legal studies to join the Massachusetts’ militia for service during the Revolutionary War. While King soon determined his aspirations lay in law rather than the military—later becoming a signer of the
IMLS Grants Preserve Delicate Photographs, Improve Public Access
Since the 2017 relocation of most object and archival collections from the museum building downtown Madison to the State Archives Preservation Facility (SAPF) on the eastside of the city, staff have been working to create greater public access to the collections. One of the most approachable ways to improve public
Jessica E. Williams on Leading with Empathy
With a college degree, Jessica E. Williams could have entered the United States Army Reserve as an officer. Instead, she chose to enlist and take a different leadership path. Williams, who grew up on a five-acre farmette in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, had not originally intended to join the military. But after