“Buried At Sea: The Life and Loss of Corporal Earl H. Rector, USMC”
From the Collection

“Buried At Sea: The Life and Loss of Corporal Earl H. Rector, USMC”

The ocean claimed his body. History nearly claimed his name. But through faith, fortune, and the work of preservation, his story endures—and as long as these medals remain in the custody of Ghosts of the Battlefield, he will never again be forgotten.
MacArthur for America - 1948 Campaign Button
From the Collection

MacArthur for America - 1948 Campaign Button

This “MacArthur for America 1948” campaign button captures a moment when Americans looked to military heroes for political leadership. Supporters saw General Douglas MacArthur as a symbol of strength and patriotism in uncertain years .
The Lost Patrol of 1964: The Heroism of Sergeant Harry A. Walling
From the Collection

The Lost Patrol of 1964: The Heroism of Sergeant Harry A. Walling

There gleaming under a display light, is Walling’s Silver Star—an echo of gunfire, a symbol of resolve, a reminder that behind every decoration is a heartbeat that once raced through hell.
Museum Collection: The Legacy of Seaman First Class Edwin H. Duke
From the Collection

Museum Collection: The Legacy of Seaman First Class Edwin H. Duke

Seaman First Class Edwin H. Duke was a Seabee whose service stretched from the icy Aleutians to the black sands of Iwo Jima. His uniform tells the story of builders who fought under fire, carving runways and bases that helped secure Allied victory in the

Artifact Highlight: The Chinese Type 53 Carbine
From the Collection

Artifact Highlight: The Chinese Type 53 Carbine

In the jungles of Vietnam, before the crackle of AK-47 fire became the anthem of war, another weapon spoke in a harsher, older tongue.
The Faith and Face of Service: Remembering Gunnery Sergeant Donal Gilbert
From the Collection

The Faith and Face of Service: Remembering Gunnery Sergeant Donal Gilbert

On display are the personal effects of WWII Marine Gunnery Sergeant Donal Gilbert—his watch, dog tags, and Catholic medals. These humble items tell a powerful story of faith, duty, and the quiet strength behind one man’s service in war.
Signed “Good Luck Flag” – 寄せ書き日の丸 (Yosegaki Hinomaru)
From the Collection

Signed “Good Luck Flag” – 寄せ書き日の丸 (Yosegaki Hinomaru)

Eevery brushstroke carries the weight of a nation at war. This yosegaki hinomaru, signed for soldier Toshio Yoshikawa and carried home by Sgt. Lynn Hazelbaker, speaks with the voices of both Japan’s farewell and America’s victory.
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