2026 Webcast Schedule

The National Museum of the Pacific War’s Pacific War Webcasts is a monthly virtual lecture series exploring the people, battles, and lesser-known stories of World War II in the Pacific. Presented by historians, authors, and subject-matter experts, each webcast offers engaging, research-based perspectives designed for lifelong learners and history enthusiasts alike. New webcasts are released monthly on YouTube and are free to watch on demand. Click here to receive email notifications when new episodes are released. Notifications are sent at 6:00 PM on release day, making it easy to stay connected and watch at your convenience. Released on YouTube at 6:00 PM Central • Virtual • Free Shoichi Yokoi: The No Surrender Soldier January 14, 2026 Join the National Museum of the Pacific War for our first webcast of 2026. Author Christine Kohler presents the remarkable true story of Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese soldier who survived for 28 years in the jungles of Guam after World War II ended. Drawing from her novel No Surrender Soldier (Simon & Schuster) , Kohler uses photographs and historical research to explore Yokoi’s extraordinary survival—including 15 years spent living underground. National Guard in the Pacific War: The 40th Infantry Division February 18, 2026 Often overlooked in histories of the Pacific War, the National Guard provided much of the U. S. ground forces in the theater from 1942 to 1945. This presentation highlights the 40th Infantry Division, composed of units from California, Utah, Nevada, and New York, and examines its role in major island-hopping campaigns, including the liberation of the Philippines. By the summer of 1945, the division was among the most experienced fighting forces in the Pacific. Their Greatest Season: The Greatest Generation’s Greatest College Basketball Team March 18, 2026 This webcast explores West Point’s undefeated 1944 basketball season and the wartime paths of the graduating seniors who entered combat just 100 days after their final game against rival Navy. The presentation connects athletics, leadership, and service during a pivotal moment in World War II. Red Arrow Across the Pacific: The 32nd Infantry Division During World War II April 15, 2026 Presented by historian Mark D. Van Ells, this webcast traces the history of the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division from its origins as a Wisconsin and Michigan National Guard unit to its extensive combat service across the Pacific. The division served in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan, logging 654 days in combat—more than any other U. S. Army division. The Texas Defense Guard: Texas’ Home Army in World War II May 20, 2026 This presentation examines the formation and mission of the Texas Defense Guard during World War II while the Texas National Guard was deployed overseas. Learn how volunteers organized, trained, and supported the U. S. Army by protecting critical infrastructure and assisting communities across Texas, laying the foundation for today’s Texas State Guard. Halsey’s Typhoon June 17, 2026 One of the U. S. Navy’s greatest losses of the Pacific War was caused not by enemy action, but by a powerful typhoon. This webcast, presented by Jack Woodville London, explores the events of December 1944 when Admiral William “Bull” Halsey sailed into a devastating storm and the lasting lessons learned by the U. S. Navy. My Parents and the Manhattan Project: Turning Family Tales into a Historic Novel July 15, 2026 Author Leslie R. Schover presents stories from her award-winning historical novel Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak. Based on her parents’ experiences living and working at Oak Ridge on the Manhattan Project and extensive research, this presentation explores the human impact of the atomic age through deeply personal narratives. A Gate in the Wall: A Pacific War POW’s Secret Diary and a Family’s Path Toward Reconciliation August 19, 2026 Author and lecturer Melinda Barnhart shares the story of the Lindeijer family, drawn from her book A Gate in the Wall. This webcast examines life inside a Japanese POW camp through a secret diary and explores the long path toward understanding and reconciliation after the war.