Political Quotes

“Mr. President, it is my privilege to honor the Montford Point Marines, who today will be collectively decorated with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Montford Point Marines served our country bravely during World War II, despite being segregated from their fellow servicemembers. In 1942, President Roosevelt directed that African Americans be recruited into the Marine Corps. These men were not sent to the traditional Marine recruit depots of Parris Island or San Diego. Instead, they were segregated and trained at Montford Point in Camp Lejeune, NC. Collectively, these Marines--who became known as the ``Montford Point Marines''--served in the Pacific Theater as part of the 51st and 52nd Marine Defense Battalions, and with various Depot and Ammunition Companies. The Defense Battalions saw action against surviving Japanese troops on the captured island of Guam, while the Depot and Ammunition Companies participated in the fighting at Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Their jobs consisted of loading and unloading supplies, resupplying frontline units, and evacuating the dead and wounded--sometimes under heavy enemy fire. All together, the Depot and Ammunition Companies suffered seven killed and 78 wounded. Of the nearly 20,000 African-American Marines in World War II, about 13,000 served overseas. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued his executive order ending military segregation.…”