History Colorado

The attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating surprise attack that brought the United States into World War II. On December 7, 1941 Japanese military forces launched a surprise attack against the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japanese attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel and destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships. One battleship that experienced the heaviest of casualties was the U.S.S. Arizona. Amongst these casualties were the Morse Brothers. 

Close-Up: Pearl Harbor

This is the story of First Lieutenant James S. “Pete” Peterson. He served as a P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang fighter pilot during the war. The Air War was an important component to both the Pacific and European Theaters of Operation.

Close-Up: The James S. Peterson Story

This case explores the war in Europe and the Mediterranean. In particular, it helps tell the story of the 10th Mountain Division, an elite unit trained in the Colorado Rockies.                                                                     Click on the red stars to learn more!

Zoom In: The European & Mediterranean Theaters

Since the earliest days of warfare, soldiers have enjoyed the "spoils of war," items captured from their vanquished enemies. This practice can also be seen in World War II, when American soldier were permitted to bring home enemy weapons, personal items, and even champagne! Many cherished these souvenirs as reminders of their and their fellow soldiers' service and sacrifice in this monumental conflict.

Bring Me Back a Souvenir!

Ralph Bromaghin was born in 1918 and enlisted in the Army in 1941. He had been working as an athletic and ski instructor, so it wasn't long before he joined the elite 10th Mountain Division. After his training in the Colorado Rockies, he shipped off to Italy with his division. He was killed in action at Monte Della Torraccia in February 1945. His personal effects seen here were returned to his parents back home. Click on the blue stars to learn more about the objects!

Close-Up: The Ralph Bromaghin story

This case explores the war in the Pacific. This is where the war began and ended for the United States, from the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor to the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan. Click on the green stars to learn more!

Zoom In: The Pacific Theater

This case explores some stories from the Home Front. All families were affected by the fighting in some way - and contributed what they could to the war effort.                        Click on the blue stars to learn more!

Zoom In: The Home Front

World War II was a conflict that left a mark on all who lived through it. The items showcased in this resource kit are physical reminders of the heroic sacrifices Americans made to secure a place for democracy in the world. 

Join us in a virtual exploration of objects and stories from the Pacific Theater of Operations, the home front, and the fighting in Europe and the Mediterranean. 


Want to learn more about how Colorado contributed to the war effort? Click the 

 to read "Doing Our Part: Eleven Ways World War Two Came to Colorado".

Interested in learning about Camp Hale, home to the 10th Mountain Division during World War Two? Click the 

 to read "Building Camp Hale: A Deeper History of America's High-Altitude Army Training Ground".

Liberated: America Fights for Democracy in World War II

Civics and Government

Social Studies

U.S. History

World History

Francis Jerome, born in 1919, and Norman Roi, born in 1921, were the sons of Roy Morse and Clara May Dyer Morse. The boys grew up in Lamar, Colorado, and after their father died in 1930, their mother relocated the family to Denver, Colorado. Both boys attended East High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, Francis in 1936 and Norman in 1938. 

Francis and Norman Morse served together aboard the USS Arizona. Both perished during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. They are among the over two thousand Americans who died that day. 

A black and white photograph of Francis and Norman Morse in their Navy uniforms.

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The Morse Brothers

Notice the purple "Returned to Writer" stamp? Clara May Dyer Morse, the boys' mother, heard of the attack and immediately wrote to her sons on December 8th, 1941. When her letters were returned unopened, her worst fears were confirmed.

	
Collection consist of correspondence, programs, photographs, and other material relating to Clara May Dyer Morse. Born in Maryville, Tennessee in 1895, Clara May Dyer married Roy B. Morse in Lamar, Colorado in 1918. The couple had two sons, Francis Jerome (b. 1919) and Norman Roi (b. 1921). In 1932, following the death of Roy Morse, they relocated to Denver, where both boys attended East High School. By 1938 both Francis and Norman had enlisted in the Navy, serving together on the U.S.S. Arizona. Both Morse sons died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In 1942, Clara May Morse graduated from the 5th Corps Red Cross Nurses Aid Program, and later worked at a number of hospitals in Denver as a nurse. Portions of this collection are excerpted in "The Day Clara May Morse Died: Pearl Harbor and One Mother's Heartbreak" (Colorado History, Autumn 1991), edited by Clark Secrest.

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Clara May Dyer Collection

Both Francis and Norman Morse were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal for their sacrifice at Pearl Harbor. Purple Heart medals are awarded to those who were wounded in combat or to the next of kin of soldiers who were killed in action.

The Purple Heart is suspended on purple ribbon. The medal is made in the shape of a heart bordered with gold. Within the center of the heart is a bust of Washington. On top of the heart is Washington’s coat-of-arms.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Liberated: America Fights for Democracy in World War II

Close-Up: Pearl Harbor

Two Brothers from Colorado