South Pacific WWII Museum

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 crew of a PBJ onfield, probably at Bomber #2 airfield, Espiritu Santo, March 1944. US Archives pic.
18/06/2026

The crew of a PBJ onfield, probably at Bomber #2 airfield, Espiritu Santo, March 1944. US Archives pic.

Jan. 28. Miserable condition of American planes after the bombing of Manilla. US Archives pic.
17/06/2026

Jan. 28. Miserable condition of American planes after the bombing of Manilla. US Archives pic.

22 February 1945, battle at the foot of Mount Suribachi on D-Day plus three. US Archives pic.
16/06/2026

22 February 1945, battle at the foot of Mount Suribachi on D-Day plus three. US Archives pic.

Looking like a whiskered cyclops, this four-engined giant Consolidated B-2L, fully serviced, is "put to bed" on Midway I...
15/06/2026

Looking like a whiskered cyclops, this four-engined giant Consolidated B-2L, fully serviced, is "put to bed" on Midway Island by the crew chief the night
before the raid on Wake Island by 7th Air Force bombers. December 1942. US Archivs pic.

View of bridge near Tuguegarao, Luzon Island, Philippines after completion by "A" Co., 1876th Eng. Aviation Battalion. 7...
14/06/2026

View of bridge near Tuguegarao, Luzon Island, Philippines after completion by "A" Co., 1876th Eng. Aviation Battalion. 7 August 1945. US Archives pic.

The movie theatre at VMD-154 on Espiritu Santo, not far from Pallikulo Bay, Bomber #1 Airfield. US Archives pic.
13/06/2026

The movie theatre at VMD-154 on Espiritu Santo, not far from Pallikulo Bay, Bomber #1 Airfield. US Archives pic.

A Marine 105mm howitzer crew blasts the Japanese, paving the way for an infantry advance. Members of the crew are, Left ...
12/06/2026

A Marine 105mm howitzer crew blasts the Japanese, paving the way for an infantry advance. Members of the crew are, Left to right, Cpl Marshall E. Farr, PFC Finis O. Triplett, PFC Donald R. Stewart, Sgt. Woodroe W. Bodine, and PFC Wayne E. Rockwell. USMC Museum pic.

Friday 12 June, is cruise ship day! The Carnival Adventure will be in Santo for the day, which means a lot of visitors ...
11/06/2026

Friday 12 June, is cruise ship day! The Carnival Adventure will be in Santo for the day, which means a lot of visitors for the South Pacific World War II Museum. It also means there will be an entrance fee for the museum - as per all cruise ship days.

The price is 1,000 Vatu, A$10, US$10 or NZ$10 per person.

Marina and her crew hope to see some of you there.

Marines moving up to the Bougainville front lines ran afoul of General Mud. Here some of the Marines demonstrate cariou...
11/06/2026

Marines moving up to the Bougainville front lines ran afoul of General Mud. Here some of the Marines demonstrate carious forms of footwork for muddy going. USMC Museum pic.

Saipan. Wrecked Japanese plane at Aslito Airfield destroyed by strafing and artillery fire. US Archives pic.
10/06/2026

Saipan. Wrecked Japanese plane at Aslito Airfield destroyed by strafing and artillery fire. 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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