The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the designation of 18 new communities across the United States as American World War II Heritage Cities with one Mississippi city making the list.
Pascagoula has been honored for its role in assisting the U.S. during World War II. The Coastal Mississippi city was known for its defense production for wartime efforts — specifically ocean-going barges that were manufactured by Ingalls Shipbuilding.
“The National Parks Service just designated Pascagoula as an American World War II Heritage City for their historic role in supporting the war effort. Today the shipyard at Ingalls continues to turn out ships that are essential to our U.S. Navy and USCG fleet,” Senator Roger Wicker wrote on social media.
Contributions of local towns, cities, counties , and their citizens who stepped into the workforce to support America’s war effort during World War II, are qualifications to be named American World War II Heritage City. Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory.
The 18 newly designated communities are:
- East Hartford, Conn.
- Pensacola and Escambia counties, Fla.
- Savannah and Chatham counties, Ga.
- Evansville, Ind.
- Wichita, Kan.
- New Orleans, La.
- Springfield, Mass.
- Pascagoula, Miss.
- Lewistown, Mont.
- Paterson, N.J.
- Los Alamos County, N.M.
- Montgomery County (City of Dayton), Ohio
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Oak Ridge, Tenn.
- South Texas Bend area and Corpus Christi, Texas
- Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and West Richland), Wash.
- Manitowoc, Wis.
- Casper and Natrona counties, Wyo.
