Last Updated January 12, 2003
In Loving
Memory of Brooks E. Gray
A Step Back in Time - Montford Point Photo Album
SEMPER FI
Some People Spend An Entire Lifetime Wondering
If They Made A Difference,
The Marines Don't Have That Problem
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
Today's generation of Marines serve in a fully integrated Corps where African-Americans constitute one-fifth of the strength of the Corps. African-American officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates are omnipresent, their service so normal a part of Marine life that it escapes special notice. The fact that this was not always so...that there was a time when there were no black Marines should not be overlooked. This site is dedicated to those awesome men of Montford Point - the first Black Marines. For me, this site is a continuation of my Tribute To My Father who reported to Montford Point on April 22, 1943 . A great tragedy lies in our lack of knowledge on this subject. I can't cover it all but I hope that I will at least provide enough history for you to want to seek more. It is my fervent prayer that the Montford Point Story will be handed down to posterity.
LOYAL TO THE CORPS
As Marines, they fought the enemy, integrated the Armed Services and changed
their country. On the land, on the sea, the Marines have led the way. At
home the fight was within the Corps. But barriers fell because of A FEW GOOD
MEN
It was 1941, months before Pearl Harbor. The United States was still unbloodied by the horror gripping Europe and the Pacific, but the times were tense. It was against this backdrop, at the urging of his wife, Eleanor, and threatened by civil rights activist A. Philip Randolph with a march on Washington, that on June 25th President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802. It established the Fair Employment Practice Commission, which prohibited racial discrimination by any government agency. With that stroke of his pen, FDR officially opened to blacks one of America's most celebrated all white bastions: THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. The integration of the Marines marked the beginning of the end for officially sanctioned segregation in America, but the introduction of black Marines was so ridden with racism that at times it was difficult to say whether the Corps was more at war with itself or with the Japanese.
"These infamous barracks, called quonset huts and located at Montford Point, housed all black Marines that joined the Marine Corps in 1943."
Recruiting was to begin on June 1, 1942. Although the public announcement
was not made until May 20th, the basic instructions were sent out in a letter
from the Commandant on May 15th. This letter set a quota of 200 recruits
each from Eastern and Central Divisions while the Southern was to furnish
500 of the initial 900 recruits. These men were to be citizens between 17
and 29 years of age, and they were to meet the existing standards for enlistment
in the Corps. They were to be enlisted in Class III (c), Marine Corps Reserve,
and assigned to inactive duty in a General Service Unit of their Reserve
District. Both the service record book and the enlistment contract were to
be stamped "COLORED".
On August 18, 1942, Headquarters and Service Battery of the 51st Composite Defense Battalion was activated at Montford Point. The first African-American recruit to arrive at the camp was Howard P. Perry of Charlotte, North Carolina. He arrived August 26th and was later joined by 119 other privates who began recruit training in September. Over the next two years, Montford Point would be the training site for the 51st and 52nd Defense Battalions. From July 1942 through the end of the war, 20,000 black men were trained at Montford Point and inducted into the Marine Corps. But in those days, integration was a relative term. Though black troops would train and be Marines, they would still be kept separate from the white troops at nearby Camp Lejeune. Unless accompanied by a white Marine, they were not allowed to set foot in Camp Lejeune. And after they were shipped off to battle zones, they served exclusively in all-black units.
During the first half of 1943, the first black
non-commissioned officers were appointed at Montford Point. By the end of
April, most of the white drill instructors had left, and were replaced by
black sergeants and corporals. In late May, the recruit battalion's field
sergeant major and the last white drill instructor, 1st Sgt. Robert W. Colwell,
was transferred and replaced by Sgt. Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson, who was
given his nickname for all the service stripes he wore because of prior service
in the Army's black 25th Infantry. Johnson also served as a Navy mess attendant
and officer's steward before joining the Marine Corps. From the time Johnson
took his post, black non-commissioned officers conducted all recruit training
at Montford Point.
Edgar R. Huff, an early black Marine Corps Sergeant Major and the man who
held that rank longer than any Marine on active duty, once described an encounter
when General Henry L. Larsen, the commander of Camp Lejeune, first spoke
to a group of Montford Point men. "I just came back from Guadalcanal," said
the General as 150 dark faces stared at him. "I've been fighting through
the jungles. Fighting day and night. But I didn't realize there was a war
going on until I came back to the United States. There was excitement in
the air because it was rare for a man of such rank to visit those new recruits.
He was bringing news of the fight they were all so eager to join. "And especially
tonight," Larsen continued. "When I returned from overseas and found women
Marines at Camp Lejeune and you people here at Montford
Point wearing our Globe and Anchor, I realized that
a grave state of war existed." The recruits were insulted and shouted General
Larsen down. Though the South was rife with prejudice - "white" and "colored"
designations being the norm - discrimination could be found anywhere in the
country. Society at large was untouched by Executive Order 8802, and to most
whites the idea of Negroes wearing the emblem of the Corps was repugnant.
A black steward working in an exclusive Midwestern country club in 1942 overheard
a member remark, "If what I saw today (black Marines) is an indication of
how the war is going, America is in deep trouble."
~Copyright © Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine July 30, 1995~
Despite the insults and the scrutiny they faced, the black troops scored
as well as their white counterpoints in combat training. Of the 19,168
African-Americans who served in the Marine Corps during World War II, 12,738,
went overseas in the defense battalions or combat support companies or as
stewards. Those who remained in the United States performed numerous duties:
stewards in officers' messes at various headquarters; staff members at the
Montford Point Camp or recruits in training there when the conflict ended;
or service troops at supply depots at Philadelphia or Norfolk or the Naval
Ammunition Depot at McAlester, Oklahoma.
While the African-American Marines in the United
States braved loneliness and racial discrimination, those overseas might
wait on distant islands for Japanese attacks that never came; manhandle heavy
containers out of ships' holds; load all sort of supplies into landing craft;
sort out the cargo on the beachhead, often under deadly fire; and move the
desperately need material inland to the fighting units. Men in the defense
battalions sometimes unloaded ships, whereas members of the combat support
companies became infantrymen in an emergency, and stewards often doubled
as stretcher bearers. Looking back at a succession of exhausting, dangerous,
and at times boring assignments, one African-American Marine is quoted as
saying, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd still be a black Marine. I
think they made a man of me."
One thing is for certain, the post World War II Marine Corps could never
return to the racial policy of 1940. African-Americans had won the fight
for the right to serve; they were in the Marine Corps to stay. African-Americans
continued to serve in serve in segregated units until the fall of 1949 when
an executive order from President Harry S. Truman established a policy of
full integration.
In the fall of 1949, the first African-American woman, Annie E. Graham of Detroit, Michigan, enlisted in the Marines. On the following day, Ann E. Lamb joined at New York City. The two women reported to Parris Island on September 10, 1949 and went through boot camp together with Platoon 5-A of the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. Both subsequently reported for duty at Headquarters Marine Corps. The third African-American woman to join, Annie L. Grimes of Chicago, who was destined to become a chief warrant officer later in her career, joined and went to boot camp in February 1950. From the beginning, the reception, training, and housing of African-American women Marines was completely integrated.
Edgar R. Huff enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1942, and underwent training at the new Montford Point Camp. He reported for duty at a time when the Montford Point operation desperately needed forceful and intelligent African Americans, with or without previous military experience, to take over from the white non-commissioned officers of the Special Enlisted Staff. He attended drill instructor's course, served briefly as an assistant to two white drill instructors, took over a platoon of his own, and soon assumed responsibility for all the DIs at Montford Point. He made Platoon Sergeant in September 1943, Gunnery Sergeant in November of that year, an din June 1944 became First Sergeant of a malaria control detachment at Montford Point. He went overseas six months later as the First Sergeant of the 5th Depot Company, served on Saipan, saw combat on Okinawa, and took part in the occupation of North China. Discharged from the Marine Corps when the war ended, he spent a few months as a civilian and re-enlisted. He saw service in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The first black Marine to complete 30 years of regular service retired on September 28, 1972. To quote Sergeant Major Huff, "I wanted to be a Marine because I had always heard that the Marine Corps was the toughest outfit going, and I felt that I was the toughest going, and I wanted to be a member of the best organization." His military life spanned the dark years of segregation and the gradual advance toward integration to the present climate of human awareness. When he ended his active duty years, he summed up a varied and honored career with a simple oft-repeated statement: "The Marine Corps has been good to me and I feel I have been good to the Marine Corps." There can be no better yardstick by which to evaluate the worth of the Corps to black Marines and their worth in return than that philosophy, for good measure received, good measure given.
Frederick C. Branch had his eye on a commission.
He was qualified and the requirements didn't mention race. All he needed
was a recommendation. "They told me to shut that blankety-blank stuff
up about being an officer," said Branch. "You ain't going to be no
officer." He began his distinguished military career at Montford Point
Camp and served with the 51st Defense Battalion in the South Pacific. His
first breakthrough came when as a PFC, he was selected to attend the Navy's
V-12 program at Purdue University where he made the Dean's List. He subsequently
attended the 16th Platoon Commander's Class in Quantico, Va. After graduation
from college he stood out as the only Black in a class of 250 officer candidates.
LT. FREDERICK C. BRANCH BECAME THE FIRST BLACK COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN MARINE
CORPS HISTORY ON NOVEMBER 10, 1945. This was a significant milestone in the
then 170 year history of the Marine Corps. At one time, he was the commanding
officer of an all-White platoon. He had received the rank of captain when
he was released in 1952. On July 9, 1997, the Marine Corps first Black officer
was honored when he returned to Quantico as the guest of honor for the dedication
of the newly remodeled Academics Building named in his honor. His strong
inspirational desire to achieve never was forgotten by the Marines. This
was the reason the base's academics building was named in his honor. Captain
Branch established a well earned reputation for all things military. His
fame has grown, and he has set the course for African-American officers to
follow. I had the priviledge of
meeting this extraordinary legend on July 14, 1999 at the 34th National
Montford Point Convention where he was inducted into the newly established
Montford Point Marine Hall of Fame. What an honor this was for me......a
memory that I shall forever
cherish. Captain Branch departed this life on April 10, 2005 after a short illness.
Thanks for the memories Captain Branch!
This site would not be complete without mention
of my father,
James Albert
Ferren. He had the distinct
privilege of being one of the first African-Americans, and the first
African-American from Glassboro, New Jersey to join the United States Marine
Corps. He was inducted into the Corps February 9, 1943 and reported
to Camp Montford Point on February 11, 1943. He served with the
51st Defense Battalion, Headquarters and Service Battery, and received an
honorable discharge on February 4, 1946 having attained a personal conduct
record of 4.85 out of a possible 5.0 and rank of PLT. Sgt. One year,
nine months and 29 days of his military tenure was spent in foreign or sea
duty. While in the Corps, he received the World War II Victory Medal,
American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. We
laid my father to rest on March 23, 1993, in a beautiful serene area beside
a lake at the New Jersey Veteran's Cemetery in Arreytown, New Jersey. I
am extremely proud to be the daughter of a Montford Point
Marine.
Since his enlistment in the Marine Corps in March,
1944, his accomplishments have been many. During World War II he served in
the Marshall Island and Guam with the 52nd Defense Batallion. In the Korean
conflict, he was called back to active duty in the Reserves as a Corporal.
He served with the 2nd Automatic Weapon Batallion as Section Leader and Fire
Control Instructor from 1950-1953 at Camp LeJuene, North Carolina. In 1953
he was assigned as Gunnery Sergeant in 29 Palms, California; and from 1954
through 1955 served with the 1st 90 MM Batallion at Pusan, Korea. Master
Gunnery Sergeant Brooks E. Gray, who helped form the Montford Point Marine
Association to preserve the heritage of the wartime black Marines, has spoken
of the "pride mixed with Bitterness" experienced by the African-Americans
who wore the uniform of the Marine Corps during World War II. Segregation
prevailed at the time, even following black Marines across the Pacific to
Japan and the Asian mainland. "The injustices in these segregated units."
Gray recalls, "sparked a fierce determination to excel." These
African-Americans DID excel. "We represented," Gray believed, "the
breakthrough of the final barrier - the obstacle of racism - by being part
of the elite Corps." Master Gunnery Sgt. Gray retired in 1969 after 24
years of service with the Corps. Master Gunnery Sgt. Gray suffered
a stroke on Friday, October 06, 2000 followed by a massive heart attack two
days later. He went
home to be with
the Lord at 10:30 AM on Sunday, October 08, 2000. I am VERY
proud to have had the honor to call this gentleman my "adopted father".
What an extremely blessed woman that makes me.....to be the proud
daughter of not one but TWO, Montford Point Marines!
In 1986, Frank E. Petersen became the Marine Corps'
first African American three- star general when he received the rank of
Lieutenant General. He had also made history more than 30 years earlier by
becoming the Corps first African-American pilot. He would later earn many
military decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious
Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. General Petersen was the first
black marine aviator to command a marine attack squadron in combat
(Chu Lai 1966-1967). His retirement as the Commanding General of the
Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, Va., in 1988 completed
a saga that began in 1950 when he decided to join the Navy. His career had
been brilliant. He was the senior ranking aviator in the Marine Corps as
well as the senior ranking naval aviator. These distinctions earned him the
respective titles of "Silver Hawk" and "Grey Eagle."
This awe inspiring first black marine aviator has
written his autobiography which I encourage you all to read. When
he retired in 1988 as a lieutenant general, Frank Petersen had witnessed
and participated in the historic changes in racial elations within the Marine
Corps and the U.S. military in general. His absorbing and well written
account of his life in the Marines allows us to venture into the tiger's
jaw, but to leave without a scratch. Anytime you feel like giving
up anytime you wonder how you are going to make it through your pain and
anguish, you should turn to Lt. General Petersen's moving autobiography,
Into The Tiger's Jaw: America's First Black Marine Aviator,
for a boost of inspirational ammunition. General Petersen left behind
a legacy for all to follow regardless of color or ethnic background. Read
this book, get angry if you will, but read the whole book, word for word,
cover to cover. Then put it down and think about the man, the truly
remarkable awesome man, the times and the
accomplishments.
Captain Thomas H. McPhatter, CHC, USNR (Retired)
was one of the first young black men to enlist in the United States Marine
Corps, and the last Montford Pointer on active duty, the last of the "Chosen
Few". He received the highest rank of all who entered Montford Point
Camp. Captain McPhatter is Black History. Born October
8, 1923 in Lumberton, North Carolina, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in
December, 1943. He served in the 8th Marine Corps Ammunition Company,
with the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions on Iwo Jima from day one, until
the last Marine left the Island. He entered the mainland of Japan with
the first American uniformed men since Admiral Perry on August 14, 1945.
He spent 24 continuous months in the theater of war Pacific during
WWII, training, working and fighting. Executive Order 8802 opened the
door for Chaplain McPhatter and other blacks who were finally enlisted in
the Corps. Captain Thomas H. McPhatter was a part of that mass
that went into a Black Boot Camp; and on trial. With the designation
- USMC (SS) Selective Service. These were the pioneers, the "Chosen
Few" who really opened the door. Captain McPhatter was discharged from
the Marine Corps in July, 1946.
Visit My Other Montford Point Marine
Sites
Links To Blacks InThe Military
Awarded the
Al Varelas "Honor Award"
for Outstanding Patriotism
Many Thanks to My Friend, Adopted Father, and Founder of the MPMA The Late Master Gunnery Sgt. Brooks E. Gray (Retired) For All of His Help In My Research on The Montford Point Marines In July of 1990, at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Montford Point Marine Association held at the Philadelphia Adams Mark Hotel, Master Gunnery Sgt. Gray (Retired) was designated President Emeritus/Founder of the Montford Point Marine Association. |
|---|
Thanks For Visiting
Photos Contained on This Site Are My
Personal and some Official Marine Corps
Photos
Please Come Back Often To Share In This Strong Heritage
Honoring Deceased Veterans From Around
The World
Take A Moment To Visit The Hall Of Honor - Click Image
Below
Want to join the
"International Hall of Honor
Web Ring"?
Prev 5 |
Prev |
Next |
Next 5 |
Random Site |
List Sites
This site developed and maintained by Carolyn
A. Ferren
and is not the property of the
MPMA
Some materials on this site courtesy of Henry I. Shaw, Jr. and
Bernard C. Nalty