Photo By Pfc. Brendan Roethel | Each February, America celebrates Black History Month, a time where the country honors...... read more read more
Subscribe
Each February, America celebrates Black History Month, a time when the country honors the achievements of black Americans, and recognizes the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. During this time, Marines not only reflect on the great strides made toward racial equality by civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but they also recognize the sacrifices made by black service members who overcame adversity at home and abroad.
Since 1775, Marines have served in times of peace and war with three promises to the American people; to make Marines, win battles, and develop quality citizens. Even as racial segregation plagued parts of the nation, in 1942, African Americans began earning the title Marine and have helped the Corps keep its promises to the nation.
Making Marines
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established a presidential directive allowing African Americans to be recruited into the Marine Corps.
“Black men from across the country signed up to become Marines, and were sent to Montford Point, North Carolina, to earn the title,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Averhart, former national president of the Montford Point Marines Association. “There, they were beaten and horribly treated by white drill instructors, many of whom didn’t want black men to join their ranks. For many African Americans from northern states, coming into the Jim Crow south was a major adjustment.”
Typically, Montford Pointers who completed recruit training would join the fleet Marine forces to fulfill support roles for the Corps during World War II. Exceptional graduates, such as Gilbert H. ‘Hashmark’ Johnson, were assigned to assist in the training of their own platoons, and became the first black drill instructors, Averhart said.
“Initially the Marine Corps planned to discharge black Marines after WWII, but as the war progressed, the Marines from Montford Point disproved stereotypes and broke down racial barriers, proving they were just as capable as their white counterparts,” Averhart said.
In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order negating segregation, and in September 1949, Montford Point was deactivated. Between 1942 and 1949, approximately 20,000 African American Marines trained at Montford Point.
In honor of ‘Hashmark’ Johnson, Montford Point was renamed Camp Johnson on April 19, 1974. Johnson was one of the first African Americans to join the Corps, a distinguished Montford Point drill instructor, a retired sergeant major, and a Veteran of WWII and Korea.
Fast forwarding to today, there are more than 21,000 African Americans serving on active duty in the Marine Corps, representing 12 percent of the Corps’ enlisted force. Four of the last five Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps, the highest achievable enlisted rank and billet, have been African American Marines.
Winning Battles
For 241 Years, the Marine Corps has transformed men and women into warriors, trained to defeat any battle or challenge that stands before them.
For Master Gunnery Sgt. William Barr, the Operations Chief for Marine Corps Recruiting Command and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, his challenges weren’t all fought on the battle field.
I grew up in one of two black households in my community, Barr said. I was use to racism, and dealt with it at home and in the Corps. Although my overall experience has been positive, the Marine Corps has come a long way since the late 1980’s. There were very few African American officers then, and some Marines still harbored old prejudices. I knew I had to stand up and change opinions and battle false stereotypes.
Barr endured the challenges that came with being a part of a one-time largely homogenous organization, such as working for a crew chief who he felt was racially prejudiced, but he said he continued to hold himself to a higher standard. Barr attributes his success in the Corps to some of those challenges.
“I couldn’t let myself stoop down to their level,” Barr said. “I had to persevere, disprove their prejudices and do what I could to improve the next generation of Americans. That is why I volunteer to speak with students and mentor young Marines to show them that there is value in diversity.”
Although the Marine Corps has come a long way since when I first joined, and we are accessing more and more African American officers each year, we are always striving to improve, said Barr. African Americans still make up a disproportionate percentage of Marine officers compared to the country’s population, and it takes time to correct that.
As Marine Corps Recruiting Command continues to engage with diverse communities in places of the country that haven’t had much exposure to Marines, the Corps gets closer to reflecting the country it supports and defends, Barr said.
In Fiscal Year 2016, diversity officer accessions accounted for 33.3% of officer accessions, exceeding MCRC’s five-year average of 25%.
Returning Quality Citizens
After years of dedicated service to the Corps, Marines embark on new chapters of their lives, taking with them the valuable experience and knowledge they’ve attained. Many Marines use their Post 9/11 G.I. Bill to continue their education, while some return to the workforce or start their own businesses.
Lt. Gen. Frank Petersen Jr. (retired) and Major Gen. Charles Frank Bolden, Jr. (retired) are African American Marines whose accomplishments exemplify the meaning of returning quality citizens back to society.
Petersen, the first black Marine Corps aviator and first black Marine Corps general, continued to strive toward success, working as the vice president of corporate aviation for DuPont DeNemours Inc., and as a chairman for the National Marrow Donor Program. Petersen was later appointed by former President Barack Obama to the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy in 2010. He passed away in August 2016.
Bolden served in the Corps for 26 years. During his military career, he was selected to become an astronaut by NASA, and went on four space flights. After Bolden retired from the Marine Corps, President Obama appointed him to be the Administrator of NASA in 2009. He served there until 2017.
Another successful African American Marine is retired Lt. Col. Ron Peterson, the owner-operator of a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Portsmouth, Virginia. After retiring in 2013, he put his undergraduate degree in business and his 21 years of experience in the Corps to use.
“For the longest time I have had a vanity for business, economics and finances,” said Ron Peterson. “That is why I chose to become an entrepreneur. I knew I wanted to own a restaurant, and wanted to be a part of an organization that would allow me to meet new people and help my community. For me, Chick-Fil-A was the number one option.”
Since opening the doors to his restaurant in 2013, Ron Peterson’s franchise has been one of the most successful in the nation.
Ron Peterson said he attributes his achievements to his upbringing, faith, family, friends, and, in large measure, the leadership skills imparted on him by the Marine Corps.
“My restaurant and I wouldn’t be where we are today if I didn’t remember and apply what made me successful in the Marine Corps to my restaurant,” he said. “Serving in the Marine Corps is an honor and privilege, but when you separate from active service, remember and live by our core values of honor, courage and commitment. With these values, and applying the skills you picked-up in the Marine Corps, you too can find success.”
For more information about opportunities to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, visit www.marines.com.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2017 13:48 |
| Story ID: | 225031 |
| Location: | MCB QUANTICO, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Honoring History, Achievements of African American Marines, by PFC Brendan Roethel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT