Back in November 2011, I wrote about Congress passing a resolution to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines. The resolution was signed by President Obama in December. One gold medal was struck by the U.S. Mint and awarded to the Montford Point Marines on June 27. The Montford Point Marine Association (of which I am a member) accepted the award on behalf of these pioneers. There was a live video feed of the actual presentation and my grandson and oldest granddaughter watched the presentation with me.
A decision has not been made yet as to where the gold medal will ultimately end up, but each living Montford Point Marine was awarded a bronze replica of the medal on the day of the presentation. The surviving Montford Point Marines, who were at the medal presentation, were also the guest of honor at a parade hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps that evening at the Washington Marine Barracks.
The Montford Point Marines Bronze Medal is a duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded collectively to these Marines in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country during World War II. These were the first black Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission in June 1941. The recruits trained at Camp Montford Point, near Jacksonville, North Carolina. Some of these Marines also participated in amphibious landings on Peleliu and Saipan. During World War II, more than 19,000 blacks served in the Marine Corps, with some 13,000 of these serving in units overseas.
My Dad was one of these Marines and I ordered one of the medals from the Mint as soon as it was available. It arrived the other day with a little display stand.
This bronze medal is part of my Dad’s legacy and his great grandchildren’s heritage. I am pleased to be its caretaker.
Bill, people like you motivate me.. You took action to correct something that should of been corrected long ago, but had you not done it..no one would of. Thank you for being that type of person because I am sure you did it for the benefit of all of those Marines because Marines take care of Marines. Also thank you for sharing this story, I did not know this of you your father and that is such a proud moment in time for the Ash family to include your service. Your grandchildren I am sure in the future will speak of these times and your stories… which I am sure you will tell in your rocking chair 🙂
Jose, thank you for such a warm comment. It is sincerely appreciated. 🙂