Northwestern Precinct in Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Governor, Warrior, Peacemaker
Photographed by McGhiever, September 28, 2025
1. Governor, Warrior, Peacemaker Marker
During a war we should try to preserve as many liberties as possible; if we wish to keep our own, we should accord the same right to our neighbor.
Minnesotans from all walks of life, from average citizens to politicians, heeded the call of duty. Harold Stassen, the state's youngest governor when elected in 1938 at age 31, resigned his office to enter active duty in the Navy. ★ In the summer of 1945, Stassen helped negotiate the release of thousands of POWs held in Japan, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star. He witnessed history as the Japanese surrender later that year. As one of the American delegates to the first United Nations Conference, Stassen assisted in writing the U.N. Charter. ★ Three other World War II veterans went on to become Minnesota governors: Marine Major Orville Freeman, wounded in the Pacific; Army Lieutenant Karl Rolvaag, wounded in Europe; and Albert Quie, commissioned as a Navy pilot near the end of the war. ★
Pacific
1944:
· U.S. forces return to Philippines; major elements of Japanese navy destroyed at Battle of Leyte Gulf
1945
· U.S. forces invade Luzon
· U.S. forces and on Iwo Jima
· U.S. forces liberate Manila
· Firebombing missions begin over Japanese mainland
· Invasion of Okinawa begins, the longest and bloodiest battle since Guadalcanal
Top: Crew members crowd the deck as Japanese sign surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945.
Inset: Commander Harold E. Stassen, Assistant Chief of Staff to Admiral William Halsey, 1943.
Quote: From "An Appeal to the Citizens of Minnesota" published by Stassen's State Committee on Tolerance, Loyalty and Unity.
Bottom: POWs at the Aomori camp near Yokohama cheer their liberation, August 29, 1945.
Back: Just a portion of a U.S. naval war fleet in Pacific waters, which included nine aircraft carriers plus numerous battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and supply ships, circa 1943-44.
Erected 2007
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Peace • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 44° 57.126′ N, 93° 6.143′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Northwestern Precinct. It can be reached from W. 12th Street. The marker is near the northwest end of Minnesota World War II Memorial on the Capitol Mall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Paul MN 55155, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Cost of War (here, next to this marker); Above & Beyond (a few steps from this
Photographed by McGhiever, September 28, 2025
2. Governor, Warrior, Peacemaker Marker (2nd from end) on the west side of the Minnesota WWII Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on July 23, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
