At boot camp, they endured snakes, mosquitoes, substandard housing, and intense physical training.
In the South Pacific, they faced the Japanese. Yet, through World War II and beyond, these 19,000 black men also confronted segregation and racism to serve as U.S. Marines.
They are the Montford Point Marines, named for the segregated facility where they were trained in North Carolina from 1942 until 1949.
This spring, these first black Marines - about 400 who are still alive - will be honored at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington with the Congressional Gold Medal, the country's highest civilian honor for distinguished achievement. There are 10 living Montford Point Marines in the Philadelphia area, officials said.
"It makes me proud to be a part of this history, said John "Zeke" Clouser, 90, of Philadelphia, a former drill instructor, who served from 1943 to "the last day of 1965."
Congrats. Proud to say I know Zeke. I know it is old news. But my moms sent this to me and I felt like sharing.
In the South Pacific, they faced the Japanese. Yet, through World War II and beyond, these 19,000 black men also confronted segregation and racism to serve as U.S. Marines.
They are the Montford Point Marines, named for the segregated facility where they were trained in North Carolina from 1942 until 1949.
This spring, these first black Marines - about 400 who are still alive - will be honored at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington with the Congressional Gold Medal, the country's highest civilian honor for distinguished achievement. There are 10 living Montford Point Marines in the Philadelphia area, officials said.
"It makes me proud to be a part of this history, said John "Zeke" Clouser, 90, of Philadelphia, a former drill instructor, who served from 1943 to "the last day of 1965."
Congrats. Proud to say I know Zeke. I know it is old news. But my moms sent this to me and I felt like sharing.
