[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES

  Mrs. HAGAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the dedication 
and selfless service of the Montford Point Marines. The Montford Point 
Marines were the first African-American men to serve in the U.S. Marine 
Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 
8802 on June 25, 1941. This brave group of men were trained at Camp 
Montford Point, near the New River in Jacksonville, NC. In total, 
19,168 African-American marines received training at Montford Point 
between 1942 and 1949. Many of these ``Montford Marines'' went on to 
serve in the Pacific Theatre Campaign of World War II--at Iwo Jima, 
Saipan, Okinawa--as well as in Korea and in Vietnam.
  Although these men served our country with both honor and 
distinction, they often faced adversity and racism during their time in 
uniform. Despite their training, they were prohibited from serving in 
combat units--working instead in the service and supply units. They 
were not afforded opportunities other marines enjoyed, such as entering 
nearby Camp Lejeune, without a White counterpart to escort them. The 
courage and dedication with which these brave men served our country 
despite these challenges is nothing less than heroic.
  As the first African Americans in our Marine Corps, they join the 
Tuskegee Airmen of the Air Force and the Buffalo Soldiers of the Army 
as heroes who not only forged a new path within our armed services but 
who brought our country closer to our ideals that ``all men are created 
equal.'' Many Americans credit the historic firsts--such as Howard P. 
Perry of Charlotte, NC--who was the first African-American marine 
private to set foot on Montford Point, and Frederick C. Branch, the 
first African-American marine second lieutenant at the Marine Base in 
Quantico, VA--for creating the opportunity they have to serve today.
  The time has come for us to give these American heroes their long 
overdue recognition by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal, the 
highest civilian award in the United States. I congratulate my 
colleagues for unanimously passing this legislation on November 9, 
2011. It is my personal honor and privilege to recognize the Montford 
Point Marines.

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