Community Comes Out to Honor Montford Point Marines

Gulfport, MS – Congressman Steven Palazzo (R-MS), today recognized four local World War II Marine veterans known as “Montford Point Marines” in a ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Gulfport.  A gathering of local officials and members of the community came out to honor local Marines and pay tribute to all of the first African American Marines to serve between the years 1942 and 1949.  Three soldiers were recognized posthumously, and were represented by families, including:  Master Sergeant Fred Ash of Delisle, MS, Corporal John Hall, Jr. and Nathan Walker, Jr., both of Gulfport.  Corporal David Potts, Sr., 88 of Gulfport, was also recognized at today’s ceremony after receiving honors in Washington, DC earlier in the year.

Congressman Palazzo, a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War, thanked the community for their show of support, and spoke from his own military experience.

“One of the first things they teach you in basic training is that putting on the uniform makes you part of the “Brotherhood of the Marines”, Palazzo stated. “That’s why it’s a special honor to be able to recognize our Marine Corps brothers here today.  We only regret that so many who have already passed on could not be with us.”

In 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the military to accept the first African Americans into the military.  African American Marines were first trained at the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  Montford Point was home to more than 19,000 men for basic training, and only about 400 survive today. A ceremony honoring the service of most of the surviving Montford Point Marines was held in Washington, DC earlier in the year.

Palazzo presented MSG Ash’s family with the same certificate and bronze medal at Wednesday’s ceremony that was distributed to attendees of the Washington ceremony.  Corporal David Potts was previously honored at the Washington ceremony, and members of Corporal Hall’s family attended as well.  Palazzo’s office is currently working to obtain official recognition for Nathan Walker, Jr.

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