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<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nMick sends us the link to a new video about the Montford Point Marines, the pioneer first Black Marines who began their service during World War II. The video leans heavily on the eye-witness interviews of the men who were trained in the remote corner of Camp Lejeune for the crucible of the war in the Pacific and beyond. Some of the Montford Point Marines went on to serve in the Marine Corps in the Korean War and in Vietnam.<\/p>\n
From Black Past<\/a>;<\/p>\n Initially the recruits were trained by white officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) but citing a desire to have blacks train blacks, the Marines quickly singled out several exceptional black recruits to serve as NCO drill instructors. In January 1943, Edgar R. Huff became the first black NCO as a private first class. In February Gilbert “Hashmark” Johnson, a 19-year veteran of the Army and Navy, became the first Drill Sergeant. By May 1943 all training at Montford Point was done by black sergeants and drill instructors (DIs), with Johnson as chief DI. Both Johnson and Huff would be renowned throughout the entire Marine Corps for their demanding training and exceptional leadership abilities.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You can read more about the Montford Point Marines at their association website<\/a> and at this DoD article<\/a> that recounts an event this week in Colp, Illinois where some of the Montford Point Marines were honored.<\/p>\n