The USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc. (the Association) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation established in the State of Hawaii in 1994. The two key purposes of the Association were initially:

To relocate the USS Missouri (BB-63) to Hawaii to establish, operate and maintain a national memorial commemorating the end of hostilities in World War II to serve as a lasting tribute to the United States Navy’s role in forging world peace through strength

To operate exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary, religious, or educational purposes, within the meaning of Section 501 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 On May 4th 1998, ownership of the USS Missouri was transferred from the US Navy to the Association through donation contract #N00024-98-C-0201. The ship was towed from Bremerton Washington to Hawaii, arriving June 21st 1998. The ship was opened to the public on January 29th 1999 after six months of repair and restoration.

The Association receives no funds from either the U.S. Navy or any other governmental agency for the operations or ongoing maintenance of the ship. Department of Defense grants assisted us in funding the drydock in 2009.

The mission of the Association is: " Through our employees, volunteers and supporters, the Battleship Missouri Memorial delivers a unique visitor experience as  a premier historic attraction and museum."

The vision of the Association is: "The Battleship Missouri Memorial is a world class experience that inspires, educates and motivates all nationalities and all generations on the universal values of duty, honor, strength, resolve, sacrifice and peace."