Honoring a hero: 27 years of military service

Photo By Sgt. Juan Madrigal | Gina Francis, daughter of Gunnery Sgt. Glen J. White, admires the plaque made in honor of her father with her sister and aunt at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Sept. 25. The congregation of McCutcheon Memorial Chapel honor Gunnery Sgt. Glen J. White with a plaque for his 27 years of active duty service to his country and over 40 to the chapel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Juan Madrigal/Released)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

09.25.2016

Story by Pfc. Juan Madrigal  

Marine Corps Installations East       

The McCutcheon Memorial Chapel held a ceremony honoring Gunnery Sgt. Glen J. White with a plaque for his many years of service to his country and chapel at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Sept. 25.

White served 27 years in the Marine Corps and was in three wars World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After his service he became an usher at the McCutcheon Memorial Chapel and served it for over 40 years. White served the chapel until his death in Jan. 29, 2011, and then he posthumously received the Congressional Gold Medal March 23, 2013 for his role in integrating the Marine Corps and nation as a Montford Point Marine. Now a plaque is put up in his honor in memory of his accomplishments and what he’s done for not only African Americans, but for all the Marines that came after him.

White was drafted into the Marine Corps July 30, 1945 and attended a segregated boot camp established for African Americans during World War II; the camp trained about 20,000 men.

“He was one of the first African Americans to come in the Marine Corps, and we’re honoring him for the many years of his service that he’s not only dedicated to the Corps, but to the country and to this congregation.” said Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, deputy commandant for plans, policy and operations at Headquarters Marine Corps.

White selflessly served his country for many years and never asked for much in return.

“I think it’s difficult to go to war for a country that does want you, but how one takes a bullet for a country that does not want you is difficult to understand, but I certainly respect it,” said Gina Francis, daughter of White. “I think that what he and the Montford Point Marines were trying to say was we’re Americans too, and I think he would want to be remembered as just a good American and a good Marine.”

Now a plaque hangs in the same chapel that he served for remembrance of his devotion to country and to the McCutcheon Memorial Chapel.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2016
• Date Posted: 10.06.2016 10:12
• Story ID: 211418
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US