© 2011 GLNMM

Museum Website Design and Web Site Development
By Kallen Web Design of Muskegon, Kalamazoo, and West Michigan,
Serving clients throughout the USA

USS Silversides was commissioned on December 15, 1941, just eight days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She left for the first of her 14 war patrols on April 30, 1942. Silversides served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II; patrolling key enemy shipping routes near the Marianas, Caroline Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, and the Japanese Home Islands. Silversides mission was to stop raw materials and supplies like oil, bauxite, rubber, coal, food, and iron ore from reaching Japan. USS Silversides sank 23 major ships and damaged 14 others. She ranks third among all World War II U.S. submarines in ships sunk, totaling approximately 90,080 tons.

For outstanding and aggressive performance during her war patrols, Silversides received four Presidential Unit Citations and twelve Combat Insignia Battle Stars. No surviving World War II submarine sank more ships than the Silversides. After World War II, Silversides proceeded to New York via the Panama Canal. In 1947, Silversides made her way up the Mississippi River and arrived in Chicago where she served as a reserve training vessel until 1969. In 1972, Silversides was scheduled to be scrapped. Concerns rose for citizens and veterans resulting in the formation of the Great Lakes Navy Association. The group presented a comprehensive restoration plan to the U.S. Navy and was granted caretaker of the boat in July 1973.

USS Silversides moved to Muskegon, Michigan in August 1987. Thanks to the U.S. Naval Reservists and volunteers, Silversides’ diesel engines and many other onboard systems are still operational. One of the most famous events that occurred on USS Silversides was the emergency appendectomy conducted during the fourth war patrol. Pharmacist Mate Thomas Moore successfully removed a gangrenous appendix from crew member George Platter. Although Moore had never performed such an operation, he carried out the difficult procedure successfully. The patient recovered surprisingly well; resuming his regular duties just six days later. The daring underwater operation was reenacted in the 1943 movie Destination Tokyo.

GLNMM's 72-seat theater includes internet access and DVD capabilities, making it ideal for your Power Point presentation, photo slide show, movies, and so much more. Rent it separately or in conjunction with an overnight encampment, group tour, or conference room.

Beautifully situated on the south side of the Muskegon Channel, the second floor of the Robert G. Morin Facility is home to the primary conference facilities for Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum. The museum’s Channel View Room provides a premier smoke-free meeting location for educational programs or military special events. Guests will also enjoy the panoramic view from the large outdoor balcony, Muskegon Channel and beautiful Lake Michigan. The Channel View Room is specifically designed to accommodate groups up to 180 in a variety of configurations. Packages including the use of our 72 chair theater and/or discount priced tours of USS Silversides and USCGC McLane are available.

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