Special Exhibit: Honoring our African American Servicemembers

Photo Credit:  Seeking to rescue a Marine who was drowning in the surf at Iwo Jima, this group of black soldiers narrowly missed death themselves when their amphibian truck was swamped by heavy seas.  March 11, 1945. National Archives 

February marks National African-American History Month, and Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum recognizes the service of African-American servicemembers in WWII. From Tuesday, January 30 to Saturday, March 2, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum will have an exhibit of the history of their service in all branches of the military. The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and there is no charge for admission.

This exhibit will include the history of two African-American Infantry Regiments, the 369th and the 370th, both of which served with distinction in WWI, and the prejudice faced by African-American WWI veterans in the interwar years. The Museum continues its research into the units that trained at Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle and served in war, and will be presenting newly found rosters of the 488th and 491st Amphibious Truck Companies.

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 Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.