Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett talks with Alpha P. Gainous and George McIvory, Montford Point Marines, at a breakfast function in Truman Crawford Hall at Marine Barracks Washington, Aug. 26, 2011.

In 1942, President Roosevelt established a presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited into the Marine Corps.

These African Americans, from all states, were not sent to the traditional boot camps of Parris Island, South Carolina and San Diego, California. Instead, African American Marines were segregated - experiencing basic training at Montford Point - a facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Approximately 20,000 African American Marines received basic training at Montford Point between 1942 and 1949.

Photo by USMC Pfc. Mondo Lescaud