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QUANTICO, Va. - “I am the black man who wished to serve our
country during the dark days of World War II; in those days only the
most capable and fit men were chosen,” roared historical re-enactor
Gunny Sgt. Madyun Shahid, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Shahid performed a first-person portrayal of a Montford Point
Marine, adorned in a WWII utility uniform, at The Clubs of Quantico
during the Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 32 formal gala
Sept. 12.
From 1942 to 1949, more than 20,000
African-American recruits trained at Camp Montford, a segregated
camp in Jacksonville, North Carolina, now know as Camp Johnson.
Those Marines received Congressional Gold Medals for promoting peace
and stability during World War II.
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Retired Staff Sgt. Johnny B. Cody attends the Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 32 formal gala with his grandsons Petty Officer 3rd Class Baylor Cody and Petty Officer 1st Class Jordan Point at The Clubs of Quantico, Va., Sept. 12, 2015. Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the Fair Employment Practices Commission in 1941, which allowed African Americans to enlist into the armed service. Johnny joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 28, 1948. On June, 27 2012, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the Marines who trained at Camp Montford, N.C. (Image
created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Marine Corps photo by UIda Irby)
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Congressional Gold Medals were awarded posthumously to
families of four Montford Point Marines during the gala.
Other former Montford Point Marines in attendance were
Master Gunny Sgt. Carrol Braxton, Gunny Sgt. Richard Walker,
Staff Sgt. Johnny B. Cody and Pfc. Stanley Tapscott.
Pfc. Freddie I. McDowell, of Sumter, South Carolina,
enlisted into the Corps in 1944. His daughters Edna
Williams, Fredonia Talley and Audrey McDowell were presented
his medal.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Ashley Corley Jr.,
retired, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, completed his
training at Montford Point and later enlisted in the Army.
His son, Edward Corley, accepted his medal.
Sgt.
Roger Thomas, of Washington, enlisted in the Corps July 2,
1943, and retired from 41 years of government service in
1983. Tondalier Thomas and retired Master Sgt. Rita Thomas
accepted his medal with tear-filled eyes.
I was so
amazed that someone would remember my father, said Rita; who
continued the legacy of her father by joining the Corps.
Herman T. Preston Jr. accepted the award for his father,
Herman T. Preston Sr., who enlisted in the Corps on Oct. 30,
1943.
“We will always honor the tenacious spirit of
those Marines ... they are ordinary men who faced
extraordinary challenges to commit their souls to earn the
title Marine,” said retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Carmen
Cole, vice president of MPMA 32.
Cole concluded the
award presentation and introduced the guest speakers.
“When I look around the room, I see young people who are
ready to step up. We ask everyone to do what Montford Point
Marines did, which was make a commitment. Now is the time to
do so,” said guest speaker Maj. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake,
Manpower Management Division.
An assembly of young
JROTC students, active duty Marines, retired Marines and
second-generation Marines, filled the room to honor the
legacy of the Corps. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric W.
Nelson, Chapter 32 president, addressed the group saying, we
welcome Marines coming up through the ranks into our
organization; we have a wealth of knowledge in this room. I
urge you to take time to speak to these veterans.
Throughout the year, Chapter 32 works to improve the social
conditions of veterans, youth and local families as well as
the growing population of senior citizens.
“Those
Marines fought for the right to fight and stayed in the Corp
to make a difference,” said newly elected national president
Forest E. Spencer Jr.
Montford Point Marine Memorial
Monument, a $2 million effort, is slated to be completed
Oct. 9 at Camp Lejeune Memorial Gardens. The organization
hopes to increase the membership of the organization and
continue their commitment to make a difference and
perpetuate the legacy of the Montford Point Marines.
By UIda Irby
U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
The U.S. Marines
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