During World War II the 1st and 2nd Divisions of the United States Marine Corps
camped in this area from June 1942 to October 1943.

The 2nd infantry Regiment was based here at Camp Russell, The 6th infantry
at Camp Mackay across the highway on Whareroa Farm and the 8th infantry
at the northern end of Parkakariki.

The Marines fought at Guadalcanal in 1942, the 2nd Division returning to
Paekakariki for rest and recovery during the winter of 1943. Departing again
in November 1943, the 2nd Division saw action on Tarawa Atoll, Saipan,
Tinian Island and Okinawa, eventually landing at Nagasaki in September
1945 as part of the allied occupation forces. The divisions casualties
during the Pacific campaign were 2,795 killed and 9,600 wounded.

The Wellington Regional Council in association with the Kapiti Coast Distict
Council erected these interpretive displays in the form of a re-created camp
in June 1992 to mark the 50th anniversary return visit of servicemen from the
United States of America.