First black U.S. Marines honored with national memorial

[a425couple]

First black U.S. Marines honored with national memorial
By Amy R. Connolly | July 29, 2016

"JACKSONVILLE, N.C., July 29 (UPI) -- The Montford Point Marines, the first
black servicemen to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be honored Friday
with a national memorial at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The $1.4 million memorial is intended to recognize the approximately 20,000
Marines who, between 1942 and 1949, went through basic training at Montford
Point at Camp Lejeune in preparation for battle during World War II and the
Korean War. Hundreds of people, including 45 Montford Point Marines and
their families, are expected to attend the dedication, which is taking place
during the 51st National Convention of the National Montford Point Memorial
Association.

The memorial includes a rare restored 90-mm M1A1 anti-aircraft gun and a
15-foot bronze statue of a Montford Point Marine. A "Wall of Stars"
represents the Marines who trained at the segregated Montford Point camp.
The memorial stands near the Beirut and Vietnam memorials.

The Marines began accepting black servicemen in 1941 under President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Black recruits trained at Montford until 1948, when
President Harry S. Truman signed orders to end segregation."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/07/29/First-black-US-Marines-honored-with-national-memorial/5841469791218/

(frigging UPI, going to their site really bugs & screws up my computer!!)

[a425couple]

Post by a425couple
First black U.S. Marines honored with national memorial
By Amy R. Connolly | July 29, 2016
"JACKSONVILLE, N.C., July 29 (UPI) -- The Montford Point Marines, the
first black servicemen to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be honored
Friday with a national memorial at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The $1.4 million memorial is intended to recognize the approximately
20,000 Marines who, between 1942 and 1949, went through basic training at
Montford Point at Camp Lejeune in preparation for battle during World War
II and the Korean War.

I am quite surprised that Amy did not mention
Sergeant Major Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson.

It is real tough to start a project from absolute zero.
And "Hashmark" Johnson, who had already served
15 years in the military services, and been a corporal
in the Army and also served in the Navy was a perfect
role model and D.I.

"He earned his nickname because during his initial Marine Corps
training at Montford Point, he wore three service stripes (hashmarks)
on the sleeve of his uniform, indicating his previous enlistments in the
army and navy.[3]
In 1943, Johnson was among the first black men to be trained as Marine
drill instructors. In May 1943, at Montford Point, he replaced drill
instructor
First Sergeant Robert W. Colwell. As a member of the 52nd Defense
Battalion on Guam in World War II, Johnson asked that black Marines
be assigned to combat patrols, from which they were then exempt.
Once approved, he personally led 25 combat patrols."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Johnson

[Bill Shatzer]

Post by a425couple
First black U.S. Marines honored with national memorial
By Amy R. Connolly | July 29, 2016
"JACKSONVILLE, N.C., July 29 (UPI) -- The Montford Point Marines, the
first black servicemen to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be
honored Friday with a national memorial at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Technically, the first African American Marine was one John Martin
recruited in 1776.