Letter to the Editor: Marine to get Congressional Gold Medal 75 years later
In recognition of Black History Month, I would like to share a story about my father, David Reed, another hidden African American hero and a Montford Point Marine. The U.S. Marine Corps was the last branch of the service to admit African Americans as segregation laws prohibited blacks from training with whites. In 1940, northern blacks supported the re-election of Franklin D Roosevelt to a third term in hopes that he would advance “colored” admission into what was then a segregated armed force.
On June 1, 1943, the Marine Corps began enlisting 1000 African Americans a month eventually totaling 20,000 by 1949, David Reed was one of the first 1000 to enter on June 7, 1943. These newly minted marines were detached to a separate training facility created for the colored recruits at the Montford Point Camp near Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. Because their facilities had yet to be built, a temporary camp was established for them in a densely wooded thicket next to a waterway, infested with snakes, mosquitos, and black bears.
Legal segregation in the armed forces continued until 1948 when then President Harry S. Truman, signed into law Executive Order 9981, which abolished segregation in the Armed Forces. David Reed was honorably discharged in June 1946. Because these Montford Point Marines, the first colored marines to enlist in the service of our country, were never recognized for their contribution to the defense of our country. They will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian medal on July 25, 2018, David Reed will be posthumorously awarded this honor. It’s been over 75 years since they came from all across this country to perform their American duty. Dad! we are so proud to be your family!
— Roy Reed
Shirley Reed Yacub