Montford Point Marines: Forgotten First Black Marines

This blog details my father's experience as a Montford Point Marine. The Montford Point Marines were the nation's First Black Marines, and they served bravely in a branch of the military that initially refused to accept them. The Montford Point Marines exceeded expectations and served tenaciously in World War II and The Korean War. These surviving men were finally recognized by Congress and received the Gold Medal of Honor as a group on June 28, 2012.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Dedications: The Marine Obstacle Course and the Montford Point Challenge

This is a shorter post, readers. The month of February is Black History Month in the United States. Unsurprisingly, it generated a lot of interest in the Montford Point Marines, which is excellent for the "Montford Point Marine Movement."

Women's History Month is during the month of March, so I will be featuring female subjects that are related to military. But in the meantime...

Are you aware of a Marine Obstacle Course that is dedicated to a Montford Point Marine? He is:

Sylvester Hood Sr., who enlisted on December 10, 1943. A pioneer, he was among the first of the roughly 20,000 Montford Point Marines to graduate prior to training integration and the depot's closure in 1949. During World War II, he served in the 6th Marine Ammunition Company as a munitions worker, deploying to Sasebo, Japan and Hawaii. Col. Hood was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps on March 9, 1949, and returned to his family in Meridian., MS. Source: Meridian.star.com

Navy.mil.com reported:

It was his service and dedication to his family and the country he loved that he was honored during a ceremony Nov. 8, 2013, on board Naval Air Station Meridian, MS. The Marine obstacle course was dedicated to Hood.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the monument that will honor him and all Montford Point Marines was also held.

"All of us in the military - even our jet pilots - are standing on the shoulders of giants," said Maj. Aaron J. Brooks, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One.

Over in in Quantico, VA, United States Marine Corps Officers in the video below took part in the "Montford Point Challenge. "

U.S. Marine officer candidates participate in a physical challenge called "The Montford Point Challenge" aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Oct. 12, 2012. The Montford Point Challenge was introduced to OCS to teach the history, contribution and dedication of the Montford Point Marines. -Description from Youtube.

A trio of recruits in training to take their places as fighting Leathernecks in the U.S. Marine Corps, run the rugged obstacle course at Camp Lejeune, NC (Montford Point Camp). The Marine recruits have shown such excellent results in their aptitudes and leadership capacities that an expanded Navy recruiting program is now underway.", 04/1943. Credit: National Archives.

Original Montford Point Marines in 1943.
nationalarchives.gov

The above photo had the original caption from the National Archives:

A trio of recruits in training to take their places as fighting Leathernecks in the U.S. Marine Corps, run the rugged obstacle course at Camp Lejeune, NC (Montford Point Camp). The Marine recruits have shown such excellent results in their aptitudes and leadership capacities that an expanded Navy recruiting program is now underway.", 04/1943. Credit: National Archives.

What a wonderful tribute to the Montford Point Marines; an obstacle course dedicated to Sylvester Hood, Sr, along with the Montford Point Challenge. These physical initiatives are perfect metaphors in what the men had to endure. Are you surprised about these obstacles courses? Have you ever participated in an obstacle course?

Don't forget to share this information! Be a part of the "Montford Point Marine Movement!"

Sources:
commandpost.com
meridianstar.com
navy.mil.com