South Pacific WWII Museum

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South Pacific WWII Museum A five year project to build a world class museum in Luganville, Espiritu Santo. The largest Island of Vanuatu.

For more information, donation and pledges of support

Contact : Elwood J Euart Association

Email: [email protected]

During World War II, particularly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the island was used by Allied forces as a military supply and support base, naval harbor, and airfield. In highly fictionalized form, it is the locale of James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific and the subsequent Rogers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific. The presence of the Allies later contributed to the island's diving tourism, as the United States dumped most of their equipment and refuse at what is now known as 'Million Dollar Point'. USS Tucker which was the first ship to fire against Japanese in the Pearl Harbour attack, sunk off Malo island by hitting friendly mine 3 months prior to Coolidge sinking. Another wreck off Espiritu Santo, the SS President Coolidge, is also a popular diving spot. The SS President Coolidge was a converted luxury liner that hit a mine during the war. Bradley Wood, a long time residence in Espiritu Santo purchased many memorabilia of WW2 in Espiritu Santo from the US Citizen resided on Aore when he was leaving to go back to the US. He was then asked by then Lord Mayor of Luganville for an idea to uplift Luganville. Bradley contacted four other passionate of WW2 history of Santo, Mr Dave Cross, Mr Bill Widup, Mr Jim Bennie and Mrs Mayumi Green and invited Mr Peter Sakita who represent Luganville council to meet number of time. We formed the association on the 15th September 2012. The association was named after a War Hero in Espiritu Santo island, his name is Elwood J Euart who risked his own life to saved his fellow solders when ex luxury liner then troop carrier tipped on her side after she hit own mine when she entered the harbour of Espiritu Santo, captain of the ship run onto the shore to save lives, but the captain went down with the ship after he saved solders who were trapped. His memorial is stood opposite the sunken location. Association committee members

- Chairman : Bradley Wood
- Vice Chairman : Bill Widup
- Treasurer : Mayumi Green
- Secretary : Rayman Leong
- Project Manager : James Carter

The result of a Japanese night raid on Jackson Drome, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea was a direct hit on an Australian B...
22/09/2026

The result of a Japanese night raid on Jackson Drome, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea was a direct hit on an Australian Beaufighter. Believed to be mid-1943. US Archives pic.

22/09/2026
Following on from our B-17 recovery, it's time for a game of, "guess that part." This would appear to be part of a door ...
21/09/2026

Following on from our B-17 recovery, it's time for a game of, "guess that part."

This would appear to be part of a door or maybe the door frame off the aircraft. Would anyone like to take a punt as to what part of the plane it might be from.

Loading supplies on a Vultee L-5 preparatory to dropping to isolated and advanced patrols and detachments. Often the onl...
20/09/2026

Loading supplies on a Vultee L-5 preparatory to dropping to isolated and advanced patrols and detachments. Often the only means of supplying units in inaccessible spots in Jungle is by air. New Guinea late 1944. The L-5, 42-98707, is from the 25th Liaison Squadron "Guinea Short Lines," 71st Tac Recon Group. US Archives pic.

The big news just keeps on coming!For a very long time, the South Pacific WWII Museum has wanted to take possession of t...
19/09/2026

The big news just keeps on coming!

For a very long time, the South Pacific WWII Museum has wanted to take possession of the remains of a crashed B-17 bomber that has been lying in the jungle inland from Million Dollar Point.

We knew that one day the land would likely be developed for housing or farming, and there was a very real possibility that the wreck would ultimately end up at the local scrap metal yard.

But thanks to the incredible generosity of the local landowner, that day has been avoided.
On Friday, we were able to retrieve the remains of B-17 41-9227, “Yankee Doodle Jr.” and bring them into the Museum’s care.

This is an extraordinary acquisition for the Museum and an important piece of Santo’s wartime history that might otherwise have been lost forever.

We’ll have much more on 41-9227 “Yankee Doodle Jr.” and what we plan to do with it in the next issue of the South Pacific WWII Museum newsletter.

Marston mat straightening machine at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Early 1945. US Archives pic.
19/09/2026

Marston mat straightening machine at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Early 1945. US Archives pic.

WE DID IT.After weeks of incredible generosity from people around the world, we have reached our US$22,000 fundraising t...
18/09/2026

WE DID IT.

After weeks of incredible generosity from people around the world, we have reached our US$22,000 fundraising target for the South Pacific WWII Museum.

This has been a remarkable response — and we want to say a very simple but very sincere thank you to everyone who contributed.

Joe Hamrick
Steve Dixon
Mike Lechwar
Andrew Hoder
Ross Brennan
Teri Knutson Ellerbe
Dave Medlock
Tambrie Johnson
Karen Wallace
Robert Cox
James Boswell
Darrell Child
Paul Kirkland
Peter Dunn
Rita A Kopp
Kim Kraushar
David Hosea
Richard Johnson
Robert Wainwright
Richard Jakobik
Jennifer Ketchum
Steven & Wendy Turner
Paul Talbott
Raymond Hamilton
Philip Adrian Smith

Every donation, large or small, has played a part in getting us to this point. What you have given us is more than money. You have helped us preserve and share the remarkable wartime history of Espiritu Santo and the people who lived through it.

The South Pacific WWII Museum is a museum for Santo. Your generosity will help us continue building something that the people of Espiritu Santo can be proud of — and that visitors and researchers from around the world can come to experience.

We know that every dollar donated represents a choice to support something you believe is worthwhile. We are genuinely grateful that so many of you chose to support our museum and Santo’s history.

Thank you for believing in what we are trying to do.

From all of us at the South Pacific WWII Museum — thank you.

Landing gear jammed-Martin B-26, New Guinea. Late 1942. US Archives pic.
18/09/2026

Landing gear jammed-Martin B-26, New Guinea. Late 1942. US Archives pic.

Only $200 to go! 🎯A huge thank you to Tammi Johnson, who has donated for a second time — this time with a very generous ...
17/09/2026

Only $200 to go! 🎯

A huge thank you to Tammi Johnson, who has donated for a second time — this time with a very generous $100 contribution.

Tammi, your continued support means so much to us. ❤️

We’re now just $200 away from our $22,000 target!

Thank you to everyone who has helped get us this far. We’re almost there!

southpacificwwiimuseum.com/donate

Landing at Hollandia in Humboldt Bay, New Guinea on 22 April 44. Allied troops hit the beach after debarking from LSTs. ...
17/09/2026

Landing at Hollandia in Humboldt Bay, New Guinea on 22 April 44. Allied troops hit the beach after debarking from LSTs. US Archives pic.

Address

Unity Park, Main Street
Luganville

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+6785537000

Website

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