[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1154-E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments and valor of the Montford Point Marines as they are 
awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor 
bestowed by the United States Congress. During an era when African-
American men faced racism and Jim Crow segregation, these Marines left 
home to defend the United States during World War II.
  In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order 
barring government agencies from denying employment in defense efforts 
based on race, creed, color or national origin. The military was 
required to recruit and enlist African-Americans and a year later, 
recruitment began for African-American Marines who would train at 
Montford Point.

[[Page E1155]]

  Thousands of African-American men enlisted, despite widespread 
segregation and discrimination both in and outside of the military. 
From 1942 until 1949, approximately 20,000 African-American men 
enlisted in the Marine Corps and trained at a segregated facility, Camp 
Montford Point, near Jacksonville, North Carolina.
  Successfully completing training was a substantial feat for these 
Marines. While their white counterparts may have been required to run 
ten miles, Montford Point recruits often had to run twenty. These 
challenges gave them the endurance, both physical and emotional, to 
serve. As Marines, they bravely fought in theatres from the Pacific to 
Europe.
  In 1948, President Harry S. Truman ordered the desegregation of the 
United States Armed Forces. In 1949, recruit training at Montford Point 
was discontinued as all recruits, regardless of race, were sent to 
other integrated training facilities.
  Many Montford Point Marines continued their service as Marines after 
the conclusion of World War II, including in both the Korean and 
Vietnam Wars.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor the Montford 
Point Marines. Their legacy has paved the way for African-Americans to 
serve proudly in all branches of the United States Armed Services.

                          ____________________