Montana History |

USS Helena (SSN-725) 38 years of service

This historic booklet is an auspicious reminder of the proud day when the USSN HELENA SSN725 was commissioned into the United States Navy. Honored guests at the ceremony included Ron Marlenee, United States Representative from the State of Montana, George Turman, Lieutenant Governor from the State of Montana, and Russell Ritter, Mayor of the City of Helena, Montana. The USS HELENA (SSN725), named for the City of Helena, is the fourth United States ship to bear the name HELENA. The first was a light draft gunboat used during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine insurrection. The second was a light cruiser deployed in the Pacific during the Second World War and was credited with downing 6 Japanese planes during the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the Battle of Kula Gulf the USS Helena engaged Japanese destroyers and was hit by enemy torpedoes, breaking the ship into three pieces and sinking her. One hundred and sixty-eight crewmen were lost. The third was a heavy cruiser that served in the Korean Conflict and was the flagship for the Bombardment Task Group. It was decommissioned in June of 1963. The emblem of the fourth USS Helena, a nuclear attack submarine, has three corresponding stars. The focal point of the emblem is the City of Helena’s fire tower, the “Guardian of the Gulch,” signifying Helena’s role in watching over the country.

The second article is a Montana KTVH news report regarding the decommissioning of the USS Helena after 38 years of service. Montana’s Senator Sheehy, and Representatives Zinke and Downing praised the USS Helena and her crew for serving with honor from the Western Pacific to the Arabian Gulf. Ray Read, Director of the Montana Military Museum,. stated that he hopes the conning tower of the submarine will come to rest on the grounds of the Museum. The nuclear heart of the submarine will be buried in Oregon.

“It is very impressive. She’s participated in a lot of things, especially in the Middle East, in the Pacific Theater. She was always there when she was needed, and she was armed to the teeth.” – Raymond Read, Montana Military Museum Director

27th Annual Montana Military Museum Wine Fair

Enjoy yourselves again at the 27th Annual Montana Military Museum Wine Fair fund-raiser! Bid on your “must haves” at the silent auction, enjoy the snacks and hors d’oeuvres, mingle with the music, taste the wines, keep the wine glass and commemorate your experience with selfies at the PhotoBooth.

When

Friday, May 01, 2026 | 06:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Location

Helena Civic Center Ballroom, 340 Neill Ave, Helena MT, 59601, View Map

Tickets

$40 in advance at 406Tix

$50 at the door

Buy your tickets ($40 in advance) at: M-T Glass Liquors, East Helena Liquor, Headwaters Crafthouse, Island Liquor Store, and Leslie’s Hallmark.

For 27 years, the Helena community has helped to raise significant funds to support this all-volunteer museum.

99th Infantry Battalion

By Joshua Cline

In January 1942, Army Chief of Staff George Marshall changed U.S. policy to permit naturalized foreign citizens from occupied Allied nations to serve in the armed forces. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) were naturalized Norwegians who served in the U.S. Army to help free Europe from the Nazis. The 99th went on to train or fight alongside famous units like the 10th Mountain Division, the First Special Service Force, and Ranger battalions. The 99th’s missions included securing Cherbourg, France; combat in the Battle of the Bulge; supporting the Monuments Men”; the liberation of concentration camps; and last, but not least, the liberation and security of Norway.

Johnson M1941 LGM Submachine Gun

DEVIL’S BRIGADE SECRET WEAPON: THE JOHNSON M1941 LMG

By Tom Laemlein

Despite watching from the sidelines for more than two years, America was surprisingly unprepared for the war that came on December 7, 1941. That is however, with the
notable exception of U.S. small arms. Compared to any other combatant nation, American infantry weapons represented an embarrassment of riches. Even some of our firearms kept in reserve were the envy of lesser military forces. Americans quickly came to expect nothing but the best from the Arsenal of Democracy.

Warrior Ethos Podcast

“Montana’s 163rd Infantry in the Jungled Hell of Sanananda New Guinea”

Podcast by John B. Driscoll

Honoring Our Children

46th National POW-MIA Recognition Day to be commemorated on Friday, September 19, 2025

Montana has 53 Personnel Listed as Prisoners of War or Missing In Action (POW-MIA) from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.

FORT HARRISON/ HELENA: MT (September 15, 2025)

Veterans, military personnel, and the public is cordially invited to participate in the 46rd annual National Prisoner of War and Missing Action (POW-MIA) Recognition Day at the Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial, Memorial Park, Helena, at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Those individuals who wish to read the 53 names of Montana POW-MIAs’ should gather between 7:30 and 8::00 a.m. to go over the process.

This event is supported by the Fort William Henry Harrison Museum Foundation & Montana Military Museum, The American Legion Post #2 (Lewis & Clark) Voiture 718, 40 & 8 Society, Lewis & Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation, and veterans at large.

For questions or to volunteer call Ray Read at 458-9847/406-235-0290 or e-mail: myfun51@msn.com

Throughout American history, many men and women have bravely served in our military and sacrificed much to preserve our country and protect the democratic ideals that makes our Nation a beacon of hope. Some of those who answered the call to service were captured in conflict and imprisoned by our enemies; and many remain missing in action.

Each year on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor those Americans who were prisoners of war and recognize them for the courage and determination they showed in the face of unspeakable hardships. We also honor those who remain unaccounted for, especially remembering the sacrifices of their families who must courageously face each day without knowing the fate of their loved ones.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days specified by Public Law 101-355, passed by the 101st Congress which recognized the National League of POW/MIA Families POW/MIA Flag and designated it “as the symbol of our Nations’ concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”.
Title 36, United States Code, Section 902, was added to the United States Flag Code into the year 2000 which states that National League for Families POW/MIA Flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices, and military installations.
80 years after the end of World War II, the fate of more than 72,000 Americans who fought in that conflict remains unknown. More than 7,800 from the Korean War are missing, more than 126 from the Cold War, and more than 1,500 from the Vietnam War. These Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedoms, will never be forgotten.

Montanans are asked to remember a very special group of veterans on Friday, September 20, 2018, specifically those Montana military personnel listed as Prisoners of War or Missing In Action (POW-MIA) including 8 from World War II; 27 from the original 28 in the Korean war; 16 of the 0riginal 22 from the Vietnam War and; 2 of the original 3 from the Cold War.

More information is available at the Montana Military Museum, located at the Montana National Guard Training Center, Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana. Telephone 406-324-3550 or e-mail: info@montanamilitarymuseum.org .

First Special Service Force Association Reunion

August 13- 16, 2025 (Banquet – Evening of the 16th)

The First Special Service Force was comprised of Canadian and US soldiers and through the war and in the years since, no distinction was made between members from these two countries. The FSSF Association continues that legacy.

The 2025 Reunion is the first time in ten years that the reunion has been held at the home of the FSSF, Helena Montana. However, given the current economic climate, many of our Canadian members are finding it difficult to attend. The Board of Directors feel it’s important to do what we can to help make it possible for those in Canada to return to the home of the Force and attend the reunion. Given the uniqueness of the location and economic concerns, the Board recognizes that for this year only, we need to make some accommodation. Canadian visitors are urged to review requirements for access to Fort William Henry Harrison with Reunion organizers.

In the spirit of the FSSF brotherhood, registration fees for this year have been adjusted so that Canadian and US registration fees are equal. Registration fees this year are listed in US dollars and in the US dollar equivalent of that same amount in Canadian dollars. When registering please select the appropriate registration based on your residency.

In addition to adjusted registration fees, the Board is offering Canadian residents the opportunity to request a partial rebate on their hotel room to help equalize the room rate. Canadian residents may present their paid invoice from the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial for their stay between August 13^th and 16th, 2025 to receive the rebate.

Let’s honor the spirit of this incredible group during the 2025 reunion. It’s for the Force.

Award ceremony for Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans

Montana Military Museum is proud to host an award ceremony for Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans, who served in Vietnam and was instrumental in the creation of the Vietnam’s Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, Diane Carlson will not be able to attend the ceremony in person, COL Lennie Enzel, USA Ret., and COL Karen Gausman, USA Ret., will present the Awards:

Army Medical Department Order of Military Medical Merritt, 02M3 https://achh.army.mil/regiment/merit-o2m3

Army Women’s Foundation, U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame 2025 https://www.awfdn.org/hall-of-fame-and-special-recognition-awards/us-army-womens-hall-of-fame-inductees/

The ceremony will be held the morning of Thursday, June 19th. More details will be available at a later date.

Sanananda by Colonel (Retired) John B. Driscoll

The Montana Military Museum is excited to share a new article by noted author and Museum volunteer COL John Driscoll (Ret.) on the actions of Montana’s National Guard 163rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team in the Battle of Sanananda.

Driscoll’s article identifies several Montanans who participated in this battle under hellish conditions in Papua, New Guinea. It is fitting after the celebrations of Memorial Day that we remember these heroes who have largely been unsung. Driscoll, a noted author of military history, has been researching the records of the 163rd archived in the Museum. It will appear in the fall/winter issue of the magazine Distinctly Montana.