Some of original Montford Point Marines honored

JACKSONVILLE, NC (AP) — Six Montford Point Marines have been honored in a ceremony at Camp Johnson near Jacksonville.

Multiple media outlets reported that about 100 people attended the ceremony Thursday where six Congressional Gold Medals were awarded to former Montford Point Marines and family members.

Those who trained at what is now Camp Johnson were the first African-Americans to join the Marine Corps.

Montford Point Camp was set up in 1942 to train all black Marines. About 20,000 Marines attended training at the camp. President harry Truman ended segregation in the military in 1949.

Congress designated Aug. 26 as Montford Point Marine Day. The first Marines reported for training on Aug. 26, 1942.

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