Marine Corps Montford Point
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A Legacy of Service
During World War II, approximately 20,000 African-American recruits were trained at Montford Point Camp. Though their training was segregated, they went through the same demanding process as all other recruits, ultimately earning the title "Marine." Though officials were initially worried that allowing African-Americans into the Marine Corps would cause racial dissension in the ranks, once they were given the chance to prove themselves, it became impossible to deny that they were just as capable and deserving of the title "Marine" as all other Marines.
Fighting for Equality
The Montford Point Marines loyally served our nation in the face of prejudice and discrimination. While they fought for freedom abroad, participating in many of the most important battles of the Pacific, Korea and Vietnam, they returned home to a nation that was separate and unequal. The Montford Point Marines had fought bravely, proving their valor and commitment, but it would take years for them to receive proper recognition for their sacrifice. In 2011, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to award the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor, to the Montford Point Marines. Today, Marines owe a debt of gratitude to the Montford Point Marines. Their transformation at Montford Point transformed the Marine Corps and opened the door for Americans of every walk of life to earn the title "Marine," regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or gender.
A Nation Divided
In 1941, as African-Americans fought for greater equality, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Fair Employment Act barring discrimination in all federal agencies based on "race, creed, color, or national origin." They had won the right to enlist in the Marine Corps, but their training facility, like the rest of America at the time, was segregated. Physically separate from the main Hadnot Point area, Montford Point Camp was chosen for recruit training in order to minimize racial disturbances. Montford Point was only used for recruit training between 1942 and 1949. Once the camp was deactivated, all recruits trained side-by-side at Recruit Depot Parris Island and Recruit Depot San Diego. However, the legacy of the Montford Point Marines extends far beyond those seven years. Montford Point Marines went on to play critical roles during some of our nation's greatest battles—including the battles of Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir and the Tet Offensive.
Making Marines
African-American Marines at Montford Point were initially trained by white drill instructors. Five exceptional recruits, Mortimer A. Cox, Arnold R. Bostick, Edgar R. Davis, Jr., Gilbert H. Johnson and Edgar R. Huff, were singled out for their leadership and maturity to become the first African-American Drill Instructors. In honor of their legacy as the first African-Americans to mint Marines, Montford Point was renamed after one of them: Sergeant Major Gilbert H. "Hashmark" Johnson on April 19, 1974. Known as "Hashmark" because he had more service stripes than rank stripes, Johnson was not only a distinguished Montford Point Drill Instructor, he was a Veteran of WWII and Korea. In WWII, Johnson, a member of the 52nd Defense Battalion, asked that African-American Marines, who were exempt from combat patrols, be assigned to the front lines. Once approved, he personally led 25 combat patrols. Camp Gilbert H. Johnson is now home to the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools.
Gaining Rank and Respect
Frederick C. Branch, a Montford Point Marine, was the first African-American Marine Corps Officer. In May 1943, while attending Temple University, Branch received a draft notice and completed Basic Training at Montford Point. He was assigned to serve in the Pacific where his discipline, loyalty and character earned him the recommendation of his commanding officer to attend Officer Candidates School. On November 10, 1945, Frederick C. Branch was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He went on to serve during the Korean War and attained the rank of Captain before leaving the Marine Corps in 1955. In his honor, the Marine Corps offers the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship for students attending or planning to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
