Permanent Collection
The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum houses over 3000 square feet of artifacts, photos, memorabilia and memories of the soldiers, sailors and other military as well as civilian personnel who trained and worked here during the years 1942-1946. Our goal is to honor them and promote the learning and preserving the history of WWII and portraying the gigantic effort that our nation and its allies poured into the war effort. The Museum is assembling the histories of the various units and their training as well as developing exhibits that remind and teach about the various aspects and events of WWII. Veterans have contributed the artifacts brought back from battles overseas, along with uniforms, mess kits, and all sorts of souvenirs, too numerous to name. The museum also preserves oral histories of veterans that returned for reunions or visited the museum.
Thee collection boasts a variety of interesting and exceptional artifacts donated over the years, many accompanied by the unique stories behand them. Some examples include:
The 28th Infantry Division “Bloody Bucket” patch belonging to then two star general Omar Bradley, who was the commander of the division when it trained at Camp Gordon Johnston. The story of how this patch came to be in our collection is a delightful and interesting one, as the patch was gifted to Vivian (Matthews) Hess whose father was the Camp Postmaster.
The first NAZI flag obtained by ground forces on German soil, collected by then Lt. Samuel Rhea from a German schoolhouse when the 4th Infantry crossed the Sigfried Line in September 1944.
Top Secret Plans for Operation Neptune, dated May 20, 1944, describing in detail the Naval Operations of Operation Overlord.
A full spectrum of Japanese rifles, including the type 38, type 44, type 99, type 99 “last ditch” and type 99 School rifle, as well as a type II paratroop rifle.
A mock–up of a Camp Gordon Johnston barracks, complete with sand floor (yes, they were sand in the beginning) with actual bunks, windows, screen door, stove, coal bin and lockers.
The Museum owns three vehicles, including a DUKW which represents us at events and parades. The DUKW is displayed at the museum for special events but is currently kept in Tallahassee.
And of course, the biggest artifact of all, the Carrabelle Beach across US Highway 98 from the museum, the setting for amphibious training featured in numerous photographs and film.
Special Exhibits: Mid-May thru June 2021
Commemorating D-Day
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is presenting a special exhibit commemorating D-Day open now through Wednesday, June 30. When Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle, FL opened in 1942, it was for the purpose of training Infantry Divisions, including the US Army 4th Infantry Division, and their support units in amphibious warfare. This training and the men who trained here would be put to the test on the heavily fortified beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The first amphibian infantry assault teams to arrive on French soil were from the 4th Infantry Division at Utah Beach. The D-Day invasion, officially codenamed Operation Overlord, was the largest seaborne invasion in history and included over 100,000 Allied troops.
Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr, oldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt and Deputy Division Commander of the 4th Infantry Division (Ivy Division), was the highest-ranking officer to step on the beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was a WWI Veteran and a founder of the American legion in 1919. The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum will focus on Roosevelt and his service in both wars in this special D-Day Exhibit. The exhibit will open Tuesday, May 18 at 11 am and will be on display at the museum until Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 5 pm. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am – 5pm. There is no charge for admission but donations are gladly accepted.
An exciting new acquisition is also part of this D-Day exhibit. Camp Gordon Johnston has received a generous
donation of personal papers and other items from the family of Capt. John E. Mellen, who commanded the 818th Amphibious Truck Company and was with them from their training at Camp Gordon Johnston through the end of the war and beyond. Although the museum is just beginning to construct the history of the 818th, some interesting facts have been gleaned. The 818th trained at Camp Gordon Johnston late 1943-early 1944. Then Lt. Mellen arrived in Tallahassee on August 16, 1943, and sent a post card to his wife Miriam before catching his bus to Camp Gordon Johnston. This revealing little post card is included in the display.
The 818th was deployed to England to prepare for the invasion of Normandy and was attached to the 1st Engineer’s Special Brigade and landed on Utah Beach, June 6, 1944. For this they received a Meritorious Unit Citation and Croix de Guerre with palm. Five members of the 818th received Bronze Stars for their actions on that day, and there were no casualties.
Also mark your calendars and plan a visit for the museum’s next special exhibit which will be on the Holocaust and presented in partnership with the Holocaust Education Resource Council of Tallahassee. This exhibit is scheduled to open July 1 and run through August 14.
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. Carrabelle Beach was the site of many practice beach assault landings. The amphibious training conducted at this site was planned to be the last step before shipping out to England. The museum was established to honor and preserve the heritage of the men and women who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston during WWII. There is no charge for admission but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, contact Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Special Exhibits: July thru Mid-Aug 2021
Holocaust
In partnership with the Holocaust Education Resource Council of Tallahassee, Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is presenting a special exhibit on the Holocaust on display from Thursday, July 1 through Saturday, August 14 at Camp Gordon Johnston Museum in Carrabelle. The museum and exhibit are open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 am – 5pm. In addition, the museum will be open special hours on Sunday, July 4th and Monday, July 5th from 12-4 pm.
The Nazi party’s “Final Solution” led to the deaths of 12 million people between 1933 and 1945, including political opponents, Roma, homosexuals, communists, and six million Jews, including one million Jewish children. Come learn about the history of this dark period in European History, including the efforts of Allies to document the atrocities and bring some of those responsible to justice.
Holocaust Education Resource Council (HERC) is a non-profit 501-c3 in Tallahassee that provides instructional guidance, support and resources for educators who teach the history of the Holocaust and their students, and educational programs for the community at large about Holocaust education and teaching tolerance.
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. Carrabelle Beach was the site of many practice beach assault landings. The amphibious training conducted at this site was planned to be the last step before shipping out to England. The museum was established to honor and preserve the heritage of the men and women who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston during WWII. There is no charge for admission but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, contact Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
