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

This is First Lieutenant James S. “Pete” Peterson’s flight jacket. While on bomber escort duty over Germany, Pete lost his Mustang during a landing at a damaged Soviet airfield in Poland. He and other American airmen at the base spent the next two months painstakingly salvaging parts from two damaged B-17 bombers to cobble together one working plane to take them back to England.

Here is Pete in a different flight jacket, resting his hand on the propeller of his P-51 "Mustang." Note his leather helmet, tinted goggles, and face mask - all essential equipment for high-altitude flight.

Here you see Pete sitting in his P-51 Mustang. More than 15,000 of these fighter planes were built by North American during World War II and the Korean War. They were equipped with six .50 caliber machine guns and could be outfitted with external fuel tanks for long-range flights. Note the "kill marker" on Pete's canopy: this shows that he destroyed an enemy plane.

After the war, Pete and his family settled near Denver. Notice the squadron emblem painted on the front of the jacket. Flyers were proud of their units and leather flight jackets continue to be iconic pieces of clothing today. Pete wore his at reunions decades after his service.

Leather flight jacket with brown fabric cuffs. Regiment insignia on front right panel. Insignia of a yellow horseshoe with an Ace of Spade with a red lightening bolt through the card. Orange name label above insignia.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Liberated: America Fights for Democracy in World War II

Close-Up: The James S. Peterson Story

His Flight Jacket