Set along Mobile Bay, the 175-acre Battleship Memorial Park offers a rich historical journey spanning more than seven decades, from World War II through Desert Storm. Entirely self-supported, the Park stands as a memorial honoring all men and women—past and present—who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The centerpiece is the renowned World War II battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60), commissioned in 1942 and active in combat for 37 months. Measuring 680 feet in length and weighing over 40,000 tons fully loaded, the USS ALABAMA was armed with nine 16"/45 caliber guns housed in three turrets, twenty 5"/38 caliber guns on ten mounts, forty-eight 40mm guns on twelve mounts, and fifty-two 20mm guns. Each 16" gun could fire a 2,700-pound shell up to 21 miles with pinpoint accuracy and deliver 58,000 pounds of ammunition per minute.

The ship’s crew averaged over 120 Officers and more than 2,200 Enlisted Men, with 140 men assigned to each large gun turret. Throughout 4½ years of active service, 6,200 men served aboard, with only five combat-related deaths—none caused by enemy fire.

Another key attraction is the USS DRUM (SS-228) submarine, launched in 1941. At 311 feet long, it could dive to depths of 400 feet. Its crew typically included 7 Officers and 65 Enlisted Men. The submarine’s armament evolved during World War II, featuring a 5"/25 caliber gun, a 40mm single mount, a 20mm twin mount, and ten 21" torpedo tubes (6 forward, 4 aft) with fourteen reloads, totaling 24 torpedoes. The USS DRUM sank 15 enemy vessels, ranking eighth among American submarines in success.

In 1964, the USS ALABAMA was returned to Mobile Bay and moored in a specially built facility. The first 75 acres of the Park were formed from the channel excavated to bring the battleship into the Bay. The USS DRUM was added later, opening to the public on July 4, 1969.

Over time, the Park has expanded to include an extensive collection of military aircraft from World War II (including some pre-war models), the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War. Highlights include a B-52D Stratofortress and the A-12 Blackbird. Additionally, visitors can see an M4 Sherman Tank, an M26 Pershing Tank, and a variety of other military vehicles and weaponry, completing this immersive tribute to American military history.