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The First African-American Marines aka Montford Point Marines To Be Honored By Congress

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There were thousands of Black men who joined the armed forces during 1942 and 1949 and of the 20,000 men who joined a previously all-white Marine core today only about 425 of those courageous men are still alive today. These surviving marines. known as the Montford Point Marines named for the segregated Marine Corps training camp at Camp Lejeune in the 1940s, are now being honored by Congress for their hard work, dedication and the history that they helped create,

From The Herald Sun,

With the Montford Point Marines well into their twilight years, Haynes, 86, and others will be honored and recognized by Congress for their contribution to history. On Wednesday, they will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. About 20,000 African-American Marines went through Montford Point between 1942 and 1949. There are 425 still alive, identified in the past six years by the Montford Point Marine Association. About 100 will attend the ceremony Wednesday, followed by a reception Thursday with the Marine Corps commandant

Read more about the Montford Pointe Marines and their honoring over at The Hearld Times.

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