safety
Gun on USS Ward that fired first US shots in WWII gets new home in Minnesota
By Ashley Halbach at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 14, 2026
· 1 min read
On Tuesday, the gun from the USS Ward ship that fired the first shots for the United States in World War II is headed to a new location after being on display for 70 years outside at the Minnesota State Capitol.
The gun is part of the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley n...
Key takeaway The gun is part of the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, which is slated to open in September.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The relocation of the USS Ward's historic gun to the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley marks a significant shift in how the state preserves and presents its military heritage. For 70 years, the gun stood outside the Minnesota State Capitol, a testament to the role of Navy reservists from St. Paul who manned the USS Ward and engaged a Japanese submarine just hours before the attack on Pearl Harbor. By moving the gun to a dedicated military museum, the state can provide a more comprehensive context for its significance, alongside other artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Minnesota's military history. As the museum prepares to open in September, locals can look forward to a new resource for understanding the state's contributions to World War II and other conflicts, and for honoring the service of Minnesota veterans.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? On Tuesday, the gun from the USS Ward ship that fired the first shots for the United States in World War II is headed to a new location after being on display for 70 years outside at the Minnesota State Capitol.
The gun is part of the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley n...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ashley Halbach at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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