Efforts underway to save USS Batfish with proposed Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum

Count me in. The USS Batfish is a hero of WWII, and an Oklahoma treasure, and deserves saving. A big thanks to Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell for his years of support for securing the Batfish for generations to come.

EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO SAVE THE USS BATFISH WITH PROPOSED OKLAHOMA WAR MEMORIAL & MUSEUM

Muskogee, OK (March 10, 2025) - The USS Batfish, a legendary World War II submarine and beloved Oklahoma landmark is at risk of being lost forever if not relocated to a new site. After devastating floodwaters in 2019 displaced the vessel from its foundation, the submarine suffered damage and was forced to permanently close to the public. With critical flood mitigation efforts underway and necessary controlled access measures required at the entrance to the current site, relocating the Batfish to a permanent home at Port Muskogee’s Three Forks Harbor is essential to its preservation.

To save this irreplaceable piece of military history, the War Memorial Park Authority in Muskogee is leading an effort to relocate and restore the vessel at the new Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum. The proposed project will allow visitors to once again step aboard the USS Batfish as a source of education, inspiration, and remembrance alongside other military artifacts dating back to the Civil War.

Muskogee’s central location is already a destination for veterans and millions of visitors annually. Prior to the 2019 flood, the Batfish welcomed over 50,000 visitors - attendance that the new museum expects to exceed. Alongside the existing Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Center, the revitalized museum has the potential to make a substantial impact on the region and Oklahoma’s economy. 

Without action to move the Batfish, one of 14 remaining American WWII submarines will be permanently lost. Oklahomans are encouraged to contact state lawmakers at OklahomaWarMemorial.com and vocalize their support for the relocation and restoration of the Batfish. 

QUOTES:

"The USS Batfish is an important piece of Oklahoma's rich military heritage and history. Preserving this WWII treasure honors the brave servicemen and women who paid the price for our freedom while telling their stories to future generations. I fully support the efforts to restore and relocate this iconic Oklahoma landmark."- Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell 

“Nearly every Oklahoman has a story about the Batfish. It is a tourism asset that has drawn visitors from across the country for decades. This is not just an opportunity to preserve a landmark that connects visitors to history—it’s a chance to ensure future generations understand the sacrifices made by service members who helped shape Oklahoma and our nation.” - Sterling Zearley, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

“The USS Batfish is a vital component of both Oklahoma’s heritage and the Muskogee community – and its preservation is critical to honoring our veterans. We stand united in supporting efforts to restore and relocate this important landmark to ensure the Batfish remains a source of pride and place of remembrance for generations to come.” - Joint Statement from Senator Avery Frix, Representative Neil Hays, Representative Tim Turner, and Representative Chris Sneed 

“The USS Batfish is more than just a submarine; it represents the bravery and sacrifice of those who served our country and protected our freedoms. History may have been made beneath the waves, but its legacy belongs in Oklahoma - and it should remain that way.” - James Gulley, Chairman of the War Memorial Park Authority

About the Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum

Recently concepted by Narrate Design and Hampton Creative, the proposed Oklahoma War Memorial and Museum brings to life the incredible story of the USS Batfish. Through intentionally planned exhibits with military artifacts dating back to the Civil War, the museum takes visitors on an immersive journey through the sacrifices, courage, and resilience of those who served – on land, in the air, and beneath the waves. OklahomaWarMemorial.com

(Below are some renderings of the proposed Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum)

Proposed location

Aerial rendering

Interior rendering