NEW YORK, NY- JULY 06, 2016- Beginning July 26, visitors to the Northern Territory of Australia will have the opportunity to see a decorated American World War II veteran be brought back to life as a hologram at a new tourism attraction in the capital city of Darwin. The attraction tells the story of when war came to the shores of Australia on February 19, 1942 in two devastating air raid attacks that were planned and led by the same Japanese commander responsible for the assault on Peal Harbor ten weeks prior.

Rear Admiral Etheridge Grant, born in Chicago Illinois in 1902, was the commanding officer of the USS William B Preston – a seaplane tender –, which was among the many American ships in the harbor that day. Known as just 'Jim' to his friends, he and his ship, the 'Willie B' as she was affectionately referred to, survived the Japanese bombing in Australia against remarkable odds.

Grant was not on board the 'Willie B' at the time as he'd gone ashore to arrange for provisions. He was blown into the harbor as he attempted to return to his ship and crew, and spent most of the attack in the water, clinging to a large ship's buoy – diving and maneuvering to avoid bombs, bullets and burning oil. Due to the protocols he'd put in place to ensure the 'Willie B' was 'attack ready', he watched his crew valiantly defend the ship and the 'Willie B' escape the devastation even though she was crippled and badly damaged having taken a direct bomb hit in an ammunition rack.  

With the assistance of the US Navy and personal records of Grant's family, tourism officials in the Northern Territory, where the new Bombing of Darwin tourism attraction is based, have re-created Grant as a holographic figure.

“Visitors to the new tourism attraction will see the WWII attack through his eyes,” says Chief of Tourism NT Tony Mayell. “In a movie-style production, actors, costumes and make-up were used to bring him back to life in stunning detail. With the help of the same company responsible for the high-tech visual effects in major blockbusters like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Hunger Games and Iron Man, the attraction will also utilize virtual reality to take visitors back in time and view events as if they were actually there.” 

Seeing their father and grandfather brought back to life as a hologram recounting the horror of the Japanese attack won't be easy for Rear Admiral Grant's family but his daughter, Margaret Grant Young, said the family is immensely proud of 'Jim' and two of his grandchildren Kathryn and James, together with their partners, will be travelling to Australia for the grand opening of the new tourism attraction.

“We are thrilled, honored and grateful that my father's story is being told to a global audience through the new Bombing of Darwin attraction,” says Mrs. Young. “We are very proud of him and his service during WWII and look forward to a new generation of people learning more about this crucial and significant time in history.”

“The new Bombing of Darwin Harbor experience will be the first of its kind in Australia. Military tourism is a growing trend with more and more people visiting war memorials, exhibitions and events around the world and we hope Rear Admiral Grant's story and the new tourism attraction will help the Northern Territory attract more tourists keen to learn about World War II history,” said Chief of Tourism NT Tony Mayell. 

To this day, the Australian-American defense ties remain strong, particularly in the Northern Territory, with the joint defense facility Pine Gap located near Alice Springs and 1,150 US Marines based in Darwin on a rotational basis under the Joint Australia-United States Force Posture Initiative. By 2018, this number is expected to rise to approximately 2,500.  

To find out more about Australia's Outback Northern Territory, visit www.australiasoutback.com or contact Hallie Rosenbloom Hallie@myriadmarketing.com 

ABOUT NORTHERN TERRITORY:

Known as Australia's Outback, the Northern Territory is home to seven different regions. From the Top End to the Red Centre, the destination varies from cascading waterfalls to the iconic Uluru. Experiences in the Northern Territory are as diverse as its landscapes; whether it is bird watching, experiencing Indigenous culture or luxury accommodations, there is certainly something for everyone. The Northern Territory is both timeless and ever changing as the seasons.

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