Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting a special exhibit on the Philippines campaign. This exhibit will open on Tuesday, September 2 and be on display until Saturday, October 4. The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm ET. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted.

Visitors are invited to learn about the Japanese assault on the Philippines including the Bataan Death March, a brutal forced march of Allied prisoners of war through tropical heat, humidity, and rain. Thousands died along the way due to being starved and beaten and being denied medical care.

The exhibit also explores the long campaign to liberate the islands, starting with the U. S. landing at Leyte on October 20, 1944. In an effort to hold Leyte at all costs, Japan sent five naval forces to challenge the American fleet, leading to the largest and most complex naval battle of World War II, the massive Leyte Gulf Naval Campaign.

The 38th Infantry Division, which trained at Camp Gordon Johnston, earned the nickname "Avengers of Bataan". This division played a critical role in this campaign. In December 1944, they landed at Leyte under enemy fire with the battle still raging. In the spring of 1945, they fought a tough campaign at Zig Zag Pass in Luzon. After intense combat, the division had cleared Bataan and accepted the formal surrender of two of the most powerful Japanese army groups in the Philippines. General Douglas MacArthur is said to have personally honored them with the title “Avengers of Bataan” for their victory.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact the museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.