A hand-painted unit sign marks the bivouac of the 427th Armored Field Artillery Battalion during the Luzon Campaign, Philippine Islands, 1944-1945. Armored field artillery battalions operated self-propelled howitzers, providing mobile fire support to advancing infantry and armor as U.S. forces fought to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Camp markers like this one, often painted by unit personnel, helped identify battalion areas within sprawling tropical encampments and reflected the pride and identity of the soldiers who served there. Project: 218438