[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 175 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2063-E2064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN CELEBRATION OF THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES RECEIVING THE NATION'S 
          HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR--THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as a veteran myself in a so-called 
``Forgotten War'' in American history, I know what it is like to come 
home and feel unrecognized. The Montford Point Marines for too long 
have been unsung heroes. These men fought abroad to preserve our 
freedom and democracy, then came home and had to fight for their civil 
liberties.
  On the eve of 11-11-11, the United States Senate passed legislation, 
which the United States House of Representatives voted unanimously 422-
0 to honor the Montford Point Marines with the nation's highest 
civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. These truly great 
American men fought in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II--
the first Black Marines in the Navy. After 70 years, they have finally 
received the honor they deserve for a legacy we must not forget to pass 
on to our future generations.
  At the time of their military service, discrimination and violence 
toward Blacks in America were rampant. Black Marines were sent to 
untraditional boot camps; they were segregated and instead received 
training at Montford Point, a facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
  One of these heroic men is my beloved brother, the Honorable David N. 
Dinkins, who is also the first African American and 106th Mayor for the 
City of New York. He recounted some obstacles he and his comrades faced 
in an interview: ``Italian and German prisoners of war, some of them 
were guarded by Black soldiers. They were treated better than those 
people who were protecting our country; soldiers and Marines.'' My 
brother David further stated. ``During training, Black Marines were 
often kicked, slapped, could not eat until the whites had finished, and 
were routinely passed over for promotions.''
  He even heard stories of some Black Marines following orders to march 
into a river where they soon drowned. Despite their hardships, the 
Montford Point Marines proved to be a solid force within our military, 
just as capable as any group of white Marines. Originally organized to 
serve as a temporary surge in manpower, the Blacks trained at Montford 
Point comprised roughly 10 percent of the Marine Corps strength during 
the war and were to be disbanded after hostilities ended.
  Montford Point Marines won praise from several white officers for 
their heroism during the seizure of Okinawa and at Iwo Jima. They were 
even sent to Nagasaki to clean up after the atomic bomb was dropped. 
Documented by the Montford Point Marine Association, much of that 
heroism occurred with the 51st Defense Battalion, which arrived at 
Saipan in the Mariana Islands to support the 2nd and 4th Marine 
Divisions of V Amphibious Corps. While they were assisting the combat 
units, one of their own, Private First Class Leroy Seals of Brooklyn, 
New York, was shot and died the next day of his wounds. The Montford 
Point Marines picked up their rifles that day, fought back the 
Japanese, and even destroyed one of the Japanese machine guns from the 
beachhead perimeter side-by-side with the white combat units. In 
February 1945, a group from the 51st landed on Iwo Jima with the 5th 
Division, 28th Regiment. The combat regiment came ashore and it seemed 
that taking Iwo Jima would be a cakewalk. The Japanese, however, had 
planned an ambush. They (the Japanese) had placed guns on either side 
of Mount Suribachi and were firing at will onto the Marines on the 
island. The Black Marines of the 8th Ammunition Company landed during 
the second or third wave and somehow they kept ammunition in the hands 
of the combat units throughout this deadly firefight. Repeatedly the 
Black Marines delivered the much-needed ammunition. Though the Japanese 
actually shot two trucks from under one of the drivers, he kept coming 
back. Combat Marines who thought they had seen everything cheered this 
young, Black Marine from their foxholes. The Montford Point Marines 
knew their job was to keep the combatants supplied and they did so with 
great valor and at great expense to their company. The Japanese soon 
saw this and began to make their assault on the Ammo Company as well as 
the combat Marines. The Montford Point Marines rose to the occasion by 
fighting off these attacks as they continued their supply missions. 
This is the courage and stamina that lead Admiral Nimitz, Commander of 
the Fleet in the Pacific to say, ``On Iwo Jima, in the ranks of all the 
Marines who set foot on that Island uncommon valor was a common 
virtue.''
  Those early Montford Point Marines were the catalyst for the great 
presence of African Americans in the Marine Corps. By the time that 
camp was closed for recruit training in 1949, over 21,000 recruits were 
trained and molded there. In July of 1948, President Harry S Truman 
issued Executive Order No. 9981, ending segregation in the military 
altogether. In September of the following year, Montford Point was 
deactivated, ending the legacy of inequality.
  Twenty years following World War II, during August 1965, a group of 
enterprising Marine veterans and active duty Marines from Philadelphia 
organized a reunion. The purpose was to renew old friendships and share 
experiences of former comrades who received recruit training at 
Montford Point Camp, Camp Lejeune, and New River, North Carolina. This 
group, chaired by then Master Gunnery Sergeant, Brooks E. Gray, USMC, 
held a meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and formulated and 
developed plans for a National Reunion. The response was overwhelming 
and 400 Marines from all over the country convened at the Adelphia 
Hotel in Philadelphia. In 1966, the Montford Point Marine Association, 
Inc. received its Charter and founder Brooks E. Gray became the 
Association's first National President.
  Next year, the Marine Corps will officially begin teaching all their 
servicemen and servicewomen about the Montford Point Marines. There is 
a museum dedicated to their service located at Camp Gilbert H. Johnson 
in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The Montford Point Marines Association 
continues to work tirelessly to preserve their stories, which serve as 
a reminder of the struggles behind us and the challenges ahead. In 
order to truly appreciate their legacy, we must continue sharing this 
story.

[[Page E2064]]

  Sunday, November 6, the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Montford 
Point Marine Association honored the 69th Anniversary of the original 
Montford Point Marines and the 44th Anniversary of the New York Chapter 
at the elegant Antun's Caterers in Queens, New York. The New York 
Chapter also acknowledged the 236th Birthday of the United States 
Marine Corps and honored their National Convention Award recipients.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join my colleagues and a very grateful 
nation as we congratulate my dear friend James Maillard, President of 
the New York Metropolitan Chapter and the Montford Point Marine 
Association as we finally pay tribute to our courageous first Black 
Marines.

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