CEO Corner
Updates from Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is the President & CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center, home of the Battleship IOWA, LA Fleet Week, and the National Museum of the Surface Navy. A purpose-driven leader and storyteller, he shares updates and insights from one of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. His writing explores leadership, community, and culture — connecting lessons from the deck plate to the boardroom while highlighting the people, progress, and purpose that continue to drive the mission forward.
Newest Updates
Lession: I Sunk Your Battleship!
I Sunk Your Battleship! Description: A coordinate plane plotting activity styled after the classic Battleship game. Students reinforce skills in graphing points, spatial reasoning, and strategy while engaging in a fun, competitive learning experience. Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Disciplines: Math Download the lesson plan.
STEM Lesson: Thermohaline Circulation Activity
Thermohaline Circulation Activity Description: Students investigate how temperature and salinity influence ocean water density and drive deep-sea currents. Through hands-on experiments and online simulations, they visualize and understand the Global Conveyor Belt system. Grades: 3–8 Disciplines: Science Download lesson plan for Thermohaline Circulation Activity
Lesson: Letters Home
Letters Home Through writing “Victory Mail” (V-Mail) and role play, students learn how members of the military communicated with their family at home. Grades: 4,5,6,7,8 Disciplines: Social Studies, Reading Vocabulary Distribute a single index card labeled with one of the following vocabulary words to each student. Have the students write their own definitions of the word they have been given. Collect the cards and sort them according to the word. Read and discuss the definitions generated by...
Lesson: Cold War Slang
Cold War Slang Become familiar with Navy jargon and procedures, and learn about the Cold War through the eyes of a sailor. Practice creative writing utilizing Cold War events and the experiences of sailors. Grades: 7, 8 Disciplines: Social Studies, Reading Background The Cold War refers to the post World War II confrontation between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies. From 1945 to 1991 international policies were shaped by intense rivalries between these two...
Declare your Intent
Declaration of Intent - Leave a Legacy of Purpose Planned giving is a powerful way to ensure your values live on. By including the Pacific Battleship Center in your estate plans, you help preserve Battleship IOWA, honor those who served, and inspire future generations through education, service, and community engagement. Your legacy gift strengthens the mission—and carries forward a lifetime of purpose. Thank you for considering a legacy gift and for sharing your intentions with us. Your...
Gift In-Kind Form
Surface Navy Association
Battleship IOWA (Greater Los Angeles Area) SNA Chapter The Battleship IOWA Chapter meets aboard the historic US Navy battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) in the community of San Pedro in the Port of Los Angeles. The chapter is centrally located for SNA members in the Greater Los Angeles Area (to include the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino). SNA members from the State of Iowa and other midwestern states not served by a local chapter can find a home aboard IOWA. The...
Marine Corps League Big Stick Det 1496
Marine Corps League Mission The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines and FMF Navy Personnel who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor; and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism. Phone: (657) 203-2474 Website: https://thebigstickdet1496.org/ Instagram Facebook
Sea Cadets – Battleship IOWA Division
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Sea Cadets) is the Navy’s youth development program. We give young Americans skills, knowledge, and confidence through an amazing variety of training opportunities. Sea Cadets wear uniforms, work as teams in a disciplined environment, and adhere to our core values of honor, respect, commitment, and service. The mission of the Sea Cadets is to build leaders of character. Our culture stresses self discipline, service to others, accountability, and...
American Legion Battleship IOWA Post 61
California American Legion post now aboard the USS Iowa Excerpts By Michael Hjelmstad During its 50 years of service from 1940 to 1990, speed, big guns, heavy armor and endurance earned the USS Iowa the designation of the "World's Greatest Naval Ship." The battleship is a floating interactive maritime museum in the community of San Pedro, Calif., which is near Los Angeles, and now it’s home to American Legion Post 61. The effort to transfer Post 61 from its original home in Sacramento to...
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