JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Eighty years ago the very first African American recruits joined the Marine Corps and went to train at Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
What You Need To Know
The Montford Point Marines were the first African American recruits trained in the Marine Corps
Montford Point Marine Day recognizes the challenges they faced before President Harry Truman integrated the military
Aug. 26 marks the 80th anniversary of the Montford Point Marines
F.M. Hooper Jr., an original Montford Pointer, says he's happy to see how far the Marine Corps has come
This week, the 13th annual Montford Point Marine Day celebration held excitement, patriotism and a unique sense of togetherness.
“They had to fight for the right to fight,” said James Averhart Jr., a retired Marine and president of the National Montford Point Marine Association. “Because of the perseverance, sacrifice and commitment of the Montford Point Marines, tens of thousands of Marines reap the benefits and stand on the shoulders of these pioneers — trailblazers who dared to want to be a Marine.”
Many of the very first Montford Point Marines attended the ceremony Thursday, including F.M. Hooper Jr., a retired gunnery sergeant. When Hooper joined the Marine Corps at 19 years old, he strongly felt the effects of segregation.
“I didn't realize what was going on, I just went and joined the Marine Corps,” Hooper said. “I thought I was going to Parris Island, that's what I originally thought. But we ended up in Montford Point.”
Montford Point was where African American Marines were sent for basic training.
Now, almost 75 years later, each medal around Hooper's neck reminds him, not only of his time in the military, but how far our nation has come.
“I can feel the weight,” he said. “It makes me happy anyway.”
In 1948 President Harry Truman finally desegregated the Marine Corps and disbanded Montford Point Camp. But while integration drastically changed the rest of his 24 years of service, Hooper still looks back to remember the Montford Point Marines.
“We want to keep that legacy alive,” Hooper said. “I tell young Marines that join the Montford Point Marine Association today. I said we original Montford Pointers, we're not going to be here years down the road. It's your job to keep the legacy alive.”
Keeping the legacy alive is the goal of Montford Point Marine Day. Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy, gave the keynote address, thanking the Montford Pointers for their service.
“It's an honor to be here actually and to follow in the footsteps of these brave heroes who set the pace actually for so many others to serve in our beloved Marine Corps and our beloved Navy as well too,” Del Toro said. “So now being able to return as the 78th secretary of the Navy. It's just a great honor to be here today on this solemn day and to pay them tribute for the sacrifices that they made throughout the years and the example that they set for thousands upon thousands of others who followed in their footsteps.”
Years ago at a similar event, Hooper received a Congressional Gold Medal for his service. This year, Del Toro presented 11 more Congressional Gold Medals to Montford Point Marines or their families.
However, a complete list of Montford Point Marines has never been found. While the celebration focused on honoring those we do know and recognizing them for their service to our country's freedom and equality, many people are still working toward finding the names of the rest of these Marines.
“The whole idea is keeping in your hearts, minds and souls that what we went through before your time,” Hooper said. “The hardship, the breaking segregation down. We reached out to everybody regardless. That's what it's like in my heart.”
Hooper says the togetherness of the Marine Corps makes him truly happy.
“Everybody's a Marine,” Hooper said. “No Black Marines. No white Marines. No yellow Marines. We're all Marines. Hoorah.”