On the recordNovember 17, 2011
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.…
