Honored for service: Montford Point Marine receives Congressional Gold Medal

Photo By Cpl. James Sauter | The wife of former Marine Sgt. William S. Harris, a World War II veteran who went to recruit training at Montford Point, N.C., holds his Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 27, 2012. Harris served in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1952. He’s among approximately 20,000 African-American men who served in the Marine Corps between 1942 to 1949 and received segregated recruit training at Montford Point, N.C. More than 13,000 of these Marines served overseas during World War II. U.S. House and Senate leaders awarded the medal — the highest civilian honor awarded as the utmost expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions — to the Montford Point Marines in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, June 27. The Commandant of the Marine Corps held a parade in their honor at Marine Barracks Washington the following day, during which they were presented replica bronze medals. Veterans who were unable to attend were honored during individual ceremonies across the U.S.  

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, UNITED STATES

08.27.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. James Sauter 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — Sixty years ago, Sgt. William S. Harris Jr. came into the Marine Corps during a controversial time when African-Americans fought against the enemy forces of Germany, Italy and Japan during World War II while also vying for civil rights on the homefront. After nine years on active duty, Harris, a native of Molokai, Hawaii, was discharged in 1952.

Monday, Harris was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award for distinguished achievements and contributions, during a formal ceremony on base.

Congress passed a bill in 2011, establishing the medal to recognize Marines trained at Montford Point, N.C., the location for Marine basic training for African-Americans during World War II.

Medals were presented to 400 Montford Point Marines during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol building visitor’s center in Washington D.C. in June 2012. However, approximately 100 Marines weren’t able to attend the ceremony. Under the direction of Gen. James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, ceremonies were held for Marines that couldn’t travel to D.C.

“To me, they were heroic for two reasons — they fought against the enemy during World War II while they also fought for their civil rights and the respect of their fellow Americans,” Amos said. “It’s fitting that we, as Americans, honor their selfless service and sacrifice with the Congressional Gold Medal and fully embrace their storied contributions to the history of our nation at war.”

Between 1942 and 1949, approximately 20,000 Marines were trained at Montford Point, 13,000 of whom served overseas during World War II. The majority of them were assigned to logistics companies. They brought ammunition and supplies to the front lines and returned dead and wounded men to transport ships. At the end of war, all but 1,500 Marines were discharged from service. By executive order from President Harry S. Truman, Montford Point was deactivated in 1949 as part of Truman’s policy to desegregate the military.

“These men didn’t hesitate to fight for their country,” said Lt. Col. Carolyn D. Bird, commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “They fought and sacrificed in places that they never heard of — places like Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Sgt. Harris represents the thousands of Montford Point Marines who fought hard and served honorably for a grateful nation.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Harris was presented his medal followed by gratitude and handshakes from attending Marines. The legacy left by the Marines trained at Montford Point helped pave the way for other minorities, including women, to be completely integrated into the Marine Corps, Bird said.

“Sgt. Harris fought, achieved and stood tall so that I may stand here and talk to you today,” Bird said. “He’s the reason that Sgt. Maj. Lewis, my senior enlisted advisor, can stand next to me and present this medal. From a grateful nation, Sgt. William S. Harris, we thank you.”

• Date Taken: 08.27.2012
• Date Posted: 08.28.2012 21:58
• Story ID: 93958
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US