[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 92 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MONTFORD POINT MARINES: JOE COBBS AND JOHNNY THOMPSKINS; DISTINGUISHED 
          MASON AND SON OF CIVIL WAR VETERAN LUKE MARTIN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2012

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two American 
trail blazers from North Carolina's first congressional district; 
Montfort marine veterans Johnny Thompskins and the recently deceased 
Joe Cobbs. I would also like to recognize the son of a Civil War 
veteran Luke Martin, Jr. Thompskins, Cobbs, and Martin will be honored 
by the Christian Community Charity Workers (CCCW) Inc., on June 24 at 
the Flame Banquet Center in New Bern, North Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, recruiting for the ``Montfort Marines'' began on June 1, 
1942, following public pressure on President Franklin D. Roosevelt by 
Black leaders to issue Executive Order 8802, which barred government 
agencies and federal contractors from employment discrimination on the 
basis of race, creed, color or national origin. The order also required 
all of the U.S. Armed Services, including the United States Marine 
Corps, to recruit and enlist African Americans. Despite an era thick 
with racial discrimination, Black recruits lined up by the thousands to 
defend the freedoms of people abroad, while still being denied basic 
unalienable rights at home.
  Among the inaugural class of Black Marines were Johnny Thompskins and 
the late Joe Cobbs. Thompskins, a man of small stature but enormous 
courage; and Cobbs, who developed a strong work ethic while working his 
family's farmland, received basic training at the segregated Camp 
Montfort Point in North Carolina, because no Black recruit was allowed 
to enter the main base of nearby Camp Lejeune unless accompanied by a 
white Marine.
  Nevertheless, these three men were unafraid by the onslaught of World 
War II. They understood that victory in war was only achievable with 
the talent of its Black citizens. As a result, these men served their 
country with distinction, chartered uncharted territory, and set the 
bar for exemplary African American servicemen.
  At 94 years old, Martin is widely known around the state of North 
Carolina as one a few living children of Civil War veterans. His 
father, Luke Martin, Sr., was a slave in Hertford County when he joined 
the Union Army and began to bravely fight for the freedoms of his loved 
ones.
  Nonetheless, Martin, Jr. is a distinguished mason who has earned 
enormous respect for building a several structures across Craven 
County. Martin's son Frederick Martin was killed in the Vietnam War in 
1968.
  Today, Thompskins and Martin reside in New Bern, North Carolina. 
Cobbs also lived there until his passing in May. All entered the world 
as young men determined to forge independence and enthusiastic to 
contribute to the country and their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, the contributions of Thompkins, Cobb, and Martin to 
America expand the definition of patriotism. Their trailblazing efforts 
will forever remain a cornerstone in American history.

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