The military legacy of Black Americans is as long as the history of Blacks in America.
Ever since the first recorded visit of a Black to this country (in 1758), Blacks have
participated, in some form, in military actions. Such participation has not received
extensive coverage in most history books, nor was such participation undertaken without
some difficulty. White Americans have, for the most part, been uncertain over the years
about Black participation in military organizations and, in some instances, have approved
of Blacks in the military only when forced by circumstances to do so.
The image of the military organization within a democratic society is, for the most part
two fold; positive in times of crisis and negative in time of peace. Whatever the image, it is
important to remember those who have made contributions and set precedents. It is to
such a group that this brief history is dedicated.
Ever since the first recorded visit of a Black to this country (in 1758), Blacks have
participated, in some form, in military actions. Such participation has not received
extensive coverage in most history books, nor was such participation undertaken without
some difficulty. White Americans have, for the most part, been uncertain over the years
about Black participation in military organizations and, in some instances, have approved
of Blacks in the military only when forced by circumstances to do so.
The image of the military organization within a democratic society is, for the most part
two fold; positive in times of crisis and negative in time of peace. Whatever the image, it is
important to remember those who have made contributions and set precedents. It is to
such a group that this brief history is dedicated.
| Sergeant Major Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson |
| Black Marines at Iwo Jima |
| Montford Point Recruits |
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Forty-seven years ago, on June 25, 1941
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued
Executive Order #8802 which allowed
Blacks to be recruited into the Marine
Corps. The following year, the first Black
recruits were trained at Montford Point
Camp at Camp Lejeune, N.C., - NOT –
Parris Island, SC nor San Diego, CA, the
traditional Marine Corps “boot camps”.
Howard Perry of Charlotte, NC made
history as the first Black recruit at
Montford Point Camp. Many Blacks were
eager to join the reputable, elite
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued
Executive Order #8802 which allowed
Blacks to be recruited into the Marine
Corps. The following year, the first Black
recruits were trained at Montford Point
Camp at Camp Lejeune, N.C., - NOT –
Parris Island, SC nor San Diego, CA, the
traditional Marine Corps “boot camps”.
Howard Perry of Charlotte, NC made
history as the first Black recruit at
Montford Point Camp. Many Blacks were
eager to join the reputable, elite
Marines at a time when their country was so deeply involved in fighting a global war.
Black recruits arrived daily. Draft boards were requested to send their most capable
prospects to the Marines. This selection process prompted Mr. Hari Rhodes to write a
book about Black marines. Rhodes, a former Montford Pointer himself, a movie and TV
actor, called the book “THE CHOSEN FEW”.
Nearly 20,000 Black Marines went through “boot camp” at Montford Point from 1942
until President Harry Truman issued Presidential Order #9981 on July 16th, 1948 and
integration of the Armed Forces became a reality.
In the years after World War II, Mr. Brooks Gray, in his role as a sales representative,
noticed that wherever his travels carried him, he found men who had trained at Montford
Point Camp. In reliving their fond memories of and fidelity to the Corps, the nostalgia
motivated Brooks, who now was back on active duty because of the Korean conflict, to
call for a reunion of these “Montford Point-ers”. The first gathering of about 400 of them
from 17 different states was held in Phi8ladelphia in September 1965. This was the
beginning of the Montford Point Marine Association (MPMA). Master Sergeant Brooks
Gray, one of the first Black men to recruit for the Marine Corps, was elected the first
National President.
Black recruits arrived daily. Draft boards were requested to send their most capable
prospects to the Marines. This selection process prompted Mr. Hari Rhodes to write a
book about Black marines. Rhodes, a former Montford Pointer himself, a movie and TV
actor, called the book “THE CHOSEN FEW”.
Nearly 20,000 Black Marines went through “boot camp” at Montford Point from 1942
until President Harry Truman issued Presidential Order #9981 on July 16th, 1948 and
integration of the Armed Forces became a reality.
In the years after World War II, Mr. Brooks Gray, in his role as a sales representative,
noticed that wherever his travels carried him, he found men who had trained at Montford
Point Camp. In reliving their fond memories of and fidelity to the Corps, the nostalgia
motivated Brooks, who now was back on active duty because of the Korean conflict, to
call for a reunion of these “Montford Point-ers”. The first gathering of about 400 of them
from 17 different states was held in Phi8ladelphia in September 1965. This was the
beginning of the Montford Point Marine Association (MPMA). Master Sergeant Brooks
Gray, one of the first Black men to recruit for the Marine Corps, was elected the first
National President.
One of the first actions of the official
MPMA Executive Council was to
establish an open membership policy
which states, “Membership in this
Association shall be open to all Marines
and veterans who have honorably
served our country.” The initial
purpose of MPMA is stated as follows:
“To promote and preserve the strong
bonds of friendship borne of shared
adversities; and to devote ourselves to
the furtherance of these friendships as
Marines through the sharing of
experience and accomplishments.”
MPMA Executive Council was to
establish an open membership policy
which states, “Membership in this
Association shall be open to all Marines
and veterans who have honorably
served our country.” The initial
purpose of MPMA is stated as follows:
“To promote and preserve the strong
bonds of friendship borne of shared
adversities; and to devote ourselves to
the furtherance of these friendships as
Marines through the sharing of
experience and accomplishments.”
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| MONTFORD POINT MARINE ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 22 LOUISVILLE, KY |
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