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

Cpl. W. Davenport of Brookland, Arkansas, and Sgt. A.l. Underwood of Pardsville, Kentucky, both of the 19th Fighter Squa...
17/05/2026

Cpl. W. Davenport of Brookland, Arkansas, and Sgt. A.l. Underwood of Pardsville, Kentucky, both of the 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, head for a Japanese made concrete bomb shelter now used by the Army Air Forces.

Early 1943 and Marine ground crews daub anti-glare paint on a Consolidated B-24 bomber's wing at Midway. In the backgrou...
16/05/2026

Early 1943 and Marine ground crews daub anti-glare paint on a Consolidated B-24 bomber's wing at Midway. In the background, Army Air Force crews hold a conference. US Archives pic.

A Consolidated B-24 of the 394th Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group "Bomber Barons," prepares to take-off on a mission from a...
15/05/2026

A Consolidated B-24 of the 394th Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group "Bomber Barons," prepares to take-off on a mission from an air base on the Admiralty Islands. 27 March 1944. US Archives pic.

A 40 mm anti-aircraft gun crew of the 208th Anti-Aircraft Battery, in a practice alert somewhere in the Admiralty Island...
14/05/2026

A 40 mm anti-aircraft gun crew of the 208th Anti-Aircraft Battery, in a practice alert somewhere in the Admiralty Islands. The Battery holds a Presidential Citation conferred upon them for distinguished service in the Papuan Campaign. US Archives pic.

When large para-packs full of supplies, dropped on Randolph Field on Leyte Island in the Philippines, they made large ho...
13/05/2026

When large para-packs full of supplies, dropped on Randolph Field on Leyte Island in the Philippines, they made large holes in the strip, so the Engineers stand. by to fill in the holes as soon as the pack is carried away. Mid-1945. US Archives pic.

Please note that the South Pacific WWII Museum will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 15 May, for the Ascension Day public ho...
13/05/2026

Please note that the South Pacific WWII Museum will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 15 May, for the Ascension Day public holiday.

We will reopen as usual on Friday and look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Museum then.

Thank you for your understanding.

Varied are the tasks of the 13th Air Force's rescue Consolidated OA-10 Catalinas. This plane delivered supplies to isola...
12/05/2026

Varied are the tasks of the 13th Air Force's rescue Consolidated OA-10 Catalinas. This plane delivered supplies to isolated guerilla troops on a southern Philippine Island. Mid 1945. US Archives pic.

Bombs are loaded into the bomb-bay of a Boeing B-29 of the 314th Bomber Wing, North Field, Guam, for a mission over Toky...
11/05/2026

Bombs are loaded into the bomb-bay of a Boeing B-29 of the 314th Bomber Wing, North Field, Guam, for a mission over Tokyo. 13 April 1945. US Archives pic.

A huge thank you to Sam and Colin from Exclusive Sunrise Resort for their wonderful donation towards our Library and Res...
10/05/2026

A huge thank you to Sam and Colin from Exclusive Sunrise Resort for their wonderful donation towards our Library and Research Centre matched funding campaign.

Friends of the Museum, Sam and Colin have continually supported the preservation of Santo’s remarkable World War II history and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity.

Their beautiful adults-only luxury resort on Espiritu Santo offers visitors an unforgettable island experience combining privacy, adventure and genuine Santo hospitality.

Every donation helps bring us one step closer to unlocking the full USD $44,000 project fund for the Museum’s new Library and Research Centre.

Thank you Sam and Colin — your support means a great deal to the Museum and the wider Santo community.

Used fuel belly tanks were discarded in the 13th AF until two chemical warfare technicians tried converting them to fire...
09/05/2026

Used fuel belly tanks were discarded in the 13th AF until two chemical warfare technicians tried converting them to firebombs. The experiments worked and the home-made "bombs" were dropped by "Jungle Air Force" Liberators with devastating results. Early to mid 1945. US Archives pic.

Boeing B-29S parked by the control tower at an air base n Tinian, Marianas Islands. 11 April 1945. US Archives pic.
08/05/2026

Boeing B-29S parked by the control tower at an air base n Tinian, Marianas Islands. 11 April 1945. 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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