While Allied military victory in World War II is a remarkable story, an equally remarkable story is that of how the world triumphed over the war and recovered from the ravages of war. While World War II was the most tragic event of modern times, the world emerged from this all-consuming war to enter the most prosperous era of world history and one of the more peaceful periods of history amongst the leading nations of the world. Upon the military conclusion of World War II, the top two priorities for the world community were the dispensation of justice to war criminals and reconstruction, both physical reconstruction in war-damaged areas and also reconstruction of a peaceful international community. Physical reconstruction was immensely successful. Within a decade, Europe and Japan were almost fully rebuilt and were more prosperous than ever before. More importantly, in order to guard against any future world catastrophe similar in scale or character to World War II, there also arose the most vigilant and capable international community ever known. Despite this, however, a cold war began. The Cold War turned hot on a couple of occasions, most notably in Korea and Vietnam, but the world was fortunate that these wars did not become global hot wars.
The World War II Victory Museum's Postwar gallery remains under development and construction, but it is open to museum guests. At present, museum visitors encounter six vehicles in this gallery, ranging in age from World War II manufacture to a pair of trucks manufactured during the Vietnam War. Arguably the most interesting piece in this gallery is a nearly exact replica of an armored gun truck from the Vietnam War featuring a mini gun, two .50 caliber heavy machine guns, and two M60 light machine guns. Upon completion, the museum plans to feature up to eight major exhibits in its Postwar gallery which will present such topics as liberation of the concentration and death camps, the displaced person phenomenon, war crimes trials, reconstruction of Europe and Japan, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and living under the threat of nuclear war.
