After decades of being ignored, America is seemingly coming around to honoring all of those whose unceasing dedication has allowed us to embrace and enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear.
On February 26, 2022, the National Montford Marine Association, Inc., Philadelphia Chapter #1 held a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at Calvary Gospel Chapel at 4121 West Girard Avenue to honor the first African American Marine recruits.
The first African American recruits in the Marine Corps trained at Montford Point, eventually ending the military’s longstanding policy of racial segregation. The year was 1941, and the United States was preparing to enter WWII, and it needed recruits. Hiring discrimination based on race was still the norm in the defense industry, but civil rights leaders were organizing for change. A. Phillip Randolph was planning a march on Washington to pressure President Roosevelt to allow the defense industry to recruit African Americans. Roosevelt resisted. The Commandant of the Marine Corps–among other officers–was vehemently opposed. As the march grew closer and under pressure from his wife, Eleanor, Roosevelt conceded. On June 25, 1941, just a week before the march, was set to take place, the president signed Executive Order 8802, prohibiting racial discrimination in the defense industry or government. At last, all branches of the United States Armed Forces were open to African Americans.
**********
Thank you for reading Lorraine Lavender-Sams’ article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “Montford Point Marines Honored At Last”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
