[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1263-E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION ON RESOLUTION TO GRANT THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE 
                         MONTFORD POINT MARINES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with many of 
my colleagues to introduce a resolution to grant the Montford Point 
Marines a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor that can 
be bestowed for an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, 
prosperity, and national interest of the United States.
  On June 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive 
Order No. 8802 establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission 
and opening the doors for the very first African Americans to enlist in 
the United States Marine Corps.
  These African Americans, from all states, were not sent to the 
traditional boot camps of Parris Island, South Carolina, and San Diego, 
California. Instead, African American Marines were segregated--
experiencing basic training at Camp Montford Point near the New River 
in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Approximately 20,000 African American 
Marines received basic training at Montford Point between 1942 and 
1949.
  On August 26, 1942, Howard P. Perry of Charlotte, North Carolina, was 
the first Black private to set foot on Montford Point.
  During April 1943 the first African American Marine Drill Instructors 
took over as the senior Drill Instructors of the eight platoons then in 
training; the 16th Platoon (Edgar R. Huff), 17th (Thomas Brokaw), 18th 
(Charles E. Allen), 19th (Gilbert H. Johnson), 20th (Arnold R. Bostic), 
21st (Mortimer A. Cox), 22nd (Edgar R. Davis, Jr.), and 23rd (George A. 
Jackson).
  The initial intent was to discharge these African American Marines 
after the War, returning them to civilian life. Attitudes changed as 
the war progressed. Once given the chance to prove themselves, it 
became impossible to deny the fact that African American Marines were 
just as capable as all other Marines regardless of race, color, creed 
or National origin.
  Black Marines of the 8th Ammunition Company and the 36th Depot 
Company landed on the island of Iwo Jima on D-day, February 19, 1945. 
The largest number of Black Marines to serve in combat during World War 
II took part in the seizure of Okinawa in the Ryuku Islands with some 
2,000 Black Marines seeing action during the campaign. Overall 19,168 
Blacks served in the Marine Corps in World War II.
  On November 10, 1945, Frederick C. Branch was the first African 
American Marine to be commissioned as a second lieutenant, at the 
Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.
  In July of 1948 President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 
ending segregation in the military. In September of 1949, Montford 
Marine Camp was deactivated--ending seven years of segregation.

[[Page E1264]]

  I am honored to offer this resolution to recognize their service and 
sacrifice and acknowledge today's United States Marine Corps as an 
excellent opportunity for advancement of persons of all races due to 
the service and example of the original Montford Point Marines.

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