Black Marines Receive Congressional Gold Medals
The black marines who first integrated the US Marine Corp over 70 years ago received Congressional Gold Medals today for their contributions to the military. Before 1941 black men were not permitted to join the marines until a federal law was passed allowing black men to join the Marine Corp in 1942. Amazingly, about 420 of the original 20,000 black men who enlisted in the marines are still alive and were recognized for their courageous efforts during their era. About 400 or the remaining black marines from 1942-1949 were present at the special ceremony. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor in the nation.
According to a spokesman from the Marine Corp, five original black Montford Point marines from Fayetteville, NC were in Washington for this historical event. The five former marines from North Carolina were: James Robert Simpson, Robert Burns, Sr., Linwood Haith, Joseph Stinchocomb, and Cosmas Eaglin, Sr.
In an interview with Mr. Simpson, he remembered the swampy area well where the black marines were allowed to train in the 1940’s. When asked how he felt about being recognized for helping pave the way for black men to become marines, the 88 year old frail veteran replied, “I’m proud to be a part of history”. Mr. Simpson said he looks forward to sharing this pivotal moment with his comrades for their accomplishments so many years ago.
Reminiscing, Mr. Simpson talked about his basic training at the Montford Point Marine Camp in 1942. He said, “you can’t forget it . . the training was rough and cruel.” With a sigh. he ended the conversation with, “the marines was the last military branch to accept black men. This means the world to me.”
Although he’s not in good health, Mr. Simpson made plans to fly to Washington and participate in the tribute that he felt was long overdue. He said he promised his wife, Lillie, who died last month in May, that he would attend the event to receive his medal of recognition. A pioneer herself, Mrs. Simpson was one of the first black women to graduate from a nursing school in Fayetteville in 1960 after she and other black women fault for their rights to attend the segregated institution.
In 2011 the US Senate and House Of Representatives voted to recognize the black Montford Point marines who broke racial barriers 7 decades ago. On November 23, 2011 President Obama signed a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to the surviving black pioneers who made-up the first integrated US Marine Corp.
