In its almost fifty years of active service the USS Missouri saw action in four war, most recently the Persian Gulf War, but will forever be most remembered as the site for the signing of Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945. But there are many fascinating facts to learn about the USS Missouri, and about battleships in general, by visiting the ship's current reincarnation as a museum. For example, did you know how far its largest guns are capable of shooting a 2700-pound projectile? And do you know why its decks are made of teakwood? Not to mention the fact that you can stand in the spot General MacArthur stood while overseeing the signing of formal surrender. The USS Missouri was not in Pearl Harbor at the time of the 1941 attack, in fact it hadn't been built yet. In 1998, however, following its formal decommission, it found a new home in Honolulu as a museum alongside the USS Arizona. The ship is actually docked on Ford Island, across the harbor passage from the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. Tickets cannot be purchased on Ford Island but should be bought at the USS Bowfin Museum. From there a shuttle bus will take you over the bridge to Ford Island and the USS Missouri.