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Congress honors first black Marines with medal

The Montford Point Marines — the long overlooked first black Marine unit, that served in the Pacific in World War II — are finally getting their due.

The U.S. Senate late Wednesday unanimously awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The House passed the measure 422-0 on Oct. 25.

“The Montford Point Marines are finally receiving the recognition they deserve,” Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., who pushed the measure in the Senate, said after it was approved.

“These men, who were based out of North Carolina in WWII, served our country with courage and dedication, even in the face of discrimination and intolerance,” she said. “There is no better way to celebrate the Marine Corps’ birthday (236 years Nov. 10) and Veterans Day than by honoring these men for their service and sacrifice, and granting them the recognition that is 50 years overdue.”

Added Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos: “The Montford Point Marines’ selfless service and sacrifice, during a time when their contributions to our nation were not fully appreciated or recognized, have made this country a better place for all Americans.”

Edsel Stallings, 87, of Detroit, who served in the unit, said he was thrilled by the action

“That’s wonderful news,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming, but you can’t change things until people are ready for it.”

He said he and his Montford Point buddies from metro Detroit planned to celebrate. Today is Veterans Day.

They trained at Camp Montford Point, a segregated installation near Jacksonville, N.C., just outside Camp Lejeune.

More than 19,168 black Marines trained at Montford Point from 1942-1949. About 200-300 are still alive.

It’s unclear when and where the Gold Medal will be presented. Each is unique. Once it’s presented, it will go on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution, Hagan said.