Special Exhibit for July 15-August 30: End of World War II
On May 7, 1945 Karl Donitz, a naval admiral, ardent Nazi, and Hitler’s successor, agreed to the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany’s armed forces to take effect the next day. The document of surrender was signed that day at Reims, in northeastern France by General Alfred Jodl. On May 8, people filled the streets in celebration and this day is known as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day).
On August 14, 1945, the Japanese surrendered without qualifications to the U.S. and preparations began for an official surrender and the end of World War II. Earlier that month an atomic bomb had been dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. On September 2, the formal surrender documents were signed on the decks of the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This day is celebrated as Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) in the United States.
This special exhibit commemorates the events that brought World War II to an end. It features a collection of artifacts related to the surrender, including souvenirs from Japan, photographs of post-war Japan, and more. Highlights of the exhibit also include documents from the Nuremberg trials, such as a vintage copy of Hitler’s will as well as occupation-era souvenirs from Germany and Japan, and striking images of post-war Germany. Items that relate to the preparation for the invasion of Japan (thankfully unnecessary) will also be on display.
Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Special Exhibit for Sept. 2-Oct. 4: Philippines Campaign
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.
Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Past Events
Sidney A. Winchester Building Dedication at Camp Gordon Johnston Museum
The Camp Gordon Johnston Association and WWII Museum was honored to dedicate our museum building on September 21, 2019 to the late Sidney A. Winchester, a Carrabelle native, U. S. Army veteran and key supporter of Camp Gordon Johnston Museum. We were joined by U.S. Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) who made two very special presentations during the ceremony. Congressman Dunn presented a container of sand from Utah Beach, Normandy, France to the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and then presented an American Flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to Sidney Winchester’s wife, Bobbye, who accepted the flag on behalf of the Museum in honor of Sidney’s service both as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and as a charter member and champion of the Camp Gordon Johnston Association. The sand from Utah Beach and the flag will be on display at the Museum. Also on this day, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum celebrated Smithsonian magazine’s 15th annual Museum Day. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian with free admission.
Click Here to see the Video of the Dedication Ceremony and Congressman Neal Dunn’s special presentations. Thanks to Mayor Brenda La Paz for this video! Click here to learn more about these events.
