A Boutique Experience.
Victory in the Pacific
80th Anniversary: End of WWII Tour
30 July - 10 August 2025
"Once enemies. Now Friends."
Trident Expeditions and the National Museum of the Pacific War invite you to commemorate the end of World War II with historian Steven McCloud, author of the acclaimed book, Black Dragon: The Experience of a Marine Rifle Company in the Central Pacific.
in cooperation with
Commemorative Events
Operational Battlefield Tours
Deluxe Transportation
Mission-Oriented Itinerary
Friends:
In 1985, Madame Kuribayashi, widow of LtGen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, commander of the Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, addressed all those in attendance for the commemoration of that battle. My friend LtGen. Lawrence F. Snowden, USMC (Ret.) recalled that she spoke in old, classic Japanese when she said, "Once enemies; now friends." General Snowden carried that sentiment with him for the rest of his life. We keep it alive as we recall the last days of WWII in the Pacific, and commemorate the war's end together.
In June of 2024, we experienced an extraordinary 80th Anniversary commemoration of the battle of Saipan. This July, in cooperation with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and National Museum of the Pacific War, we'll do it again, this time with particular emphasis on the evolution of air power and its influence on the war.
War Plan ORANGE
Planning for war in the Pacific began decades before it was fought. Now 80 years after its conclusion, we'll look back on how it ultimately played out. We begin in Honolulu, with pre-war planning and coastal defense leading up to actualization at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. We end in the Marianas, where the combined effect of the submarine, air, naval, and amphibious campaign was seen and felt most clearly, including Tinian, from whose airfields the historic bombing missions were launched. Join me on another memorable expedition into the Pacific to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
We'll explore not only the big-picture strategic operations, but the operational-level struggles on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, necessary for the strategic air campaign to reach its maximum potential. On Tinian, we'll participate in the commemorative events and walk historic Runway Able.
And throughout, we'll seek to experience the Pacific itself, rather than experiencing a mere tour. Wherever we move, we balance historical context with freedom to roam on your own, and explore, reflect, and relax.
Aloha and Hafa Adai -
Steve McCloud
Trident Director
Steven McCloud
Steve is the founder of Trident Leadership, and author of Black Dragon: the Experience of a Marine Rifle Company in the Central Pacific. The former corporate trainer has lead tours to historic sites from Iwo Jima to Normandy, lauded by legendary Head of the Marine Corps History and Museums Division, the late Colonel John Ripley, USMC (Ret) as "...far and away the very best historian/guide I have seen on any tour. Light years beyond the average." Over 20 years Steve has conducted hundreds of battlefield staff rides with corporate and government teams, and Professional Military Education programs for the United States Marine Corps.
3 Nights: Waikiki
Fort DeRussy, Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, Punchbowl Cemetery
4 Nights: Saipan
Signature Historic Sites
Operational-level Studies
Local Island Experience
1 Night: Tinian
Landing Beaches
North Field and Atomic Bomb Pits
Anniversary Commemorative Events
2 Nights: Guam
Landing Areas
Flight Connections
Optional Extension: Maui
3 Nights Maui
4th Marine Division sites
HNL-OGG Air Included
$ 2,600*
Tour Price: $11,995
Base Tour, Double-Occupancy
Extensions separate.
*Itinerary and Pricing subject to change