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Melton Alonza McLaurin

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The Marines of Montford Point: America's First Black Marines Hardcover – Illustrated, February 26, 2007

by Melton A. McLaurin (Author)

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With an executive order from President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, the United States Marine Corps--the last all-white branch of the U.S. military--was forced to begin recruiting and enlisting African Americans. The first black recruits received basic training at the segregated Camp Montford Point, adjacent to Camp Lejeune, near Jacksonville, North Carolina. Between 1942 and 1949 (when the base was closed as a result of President Truman's 1948 order fully desegregating all military forces) more than 20,000 men trained at Montford Point, most of them going on to serve in the Pacific Theatre in World War II as members of support units. This book, in conjunction with the documentary film of the same name, tells the story of these Marines for the first time.

Drawing from interviews with 60 veterans, The Marines of Montford Point relates the experiences of these pioneers in their own words. From their stories, we learn about their reasons for enlisting; their arrival at Montford Point and the training they received there; their lives in a segregated military and in the Jim Crow South; their experiences of combat and service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; and their legacy. The Marines speak with flashes of anger and humor, sometimes with sorrow, sometimes with great wisdom, and always with a pride fostered by incredible accomplishment in the face of adversity. This book serves to recognize and to honor the men who desegregated the Marine Corps and loyally served their country in three major wars.

Print length

216 pages
Language

English
Publisher

The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date

February 26, 2007
Dimensions

6.25 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

0807830976
ISBN-13

978-0807861769
Lexile measure

1840L
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A quick but inspirational read."
-- "Journal of America's Military Past"

"A valuable contribution to our understanding of the black military experience in World War II."
-- "North Carolina Historical Review"

"An important contribution to military and civil rights history. . . . ["he Marines of Montford Point: America's First Black Marines"] is a set of excerpts [of interviews] which, in Studs Terkel fashion, create an oral history of this group of Marines."
-- Durham "Sunday Herald-Sun"

"Beautifully collected interviews. . . . Anyone interested in any aspect of the civil rights struggle or the history of race relations in the US must read this book. . . . Essential."
-- "CHOICE"

"Eloquent, unedited stories."
-- "Our State"

Review

This wonderful collection of personal narratives captures not only the struggle but also the triumph of the Montford Point Marines' quest to become part of our nation's most elite fighting force, despite overwhelming odds. Their voices will be heard through this book, telling their poignant testimonies. I am truly honored to walk in their footsteps.--Colonel Adele Hodges, USMC

From the Inside Flap

With an executive order from President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, the United States Marine Corps?the last all-white branch of the U.S. military?was forced to begin recruiting and enlisting African Americans. This book, in conjunction with the documentary film of the same name, tells for the first time the story of the African American Marines who integrated the last all-white branch of the U.S. military in 1942. Drawing from interviews with 60 veterans, McLaurin relates their reasons for enlisting; their arrival at Montford Point and the training they received there; their lives in a segregated military and in the Jim Crow South; their experiences of combat and service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; and their legacy. This book serves to recognize and to honor the men who desegregated the Marine Corps and loyally served their country in three major wars.

From the Back Cover

With an executive order from President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, the United States Marine Corps?the last all-white branch of the U.S. military?was forced to begin recruiting and enlisting African Americans. This book, in conjunction with the documentary film of the same name, tells for the first time the story of the African American Marines who integrated the last all-white branch of the U.S. military in 1942. Drawing from interviews with 60 veterans, McLaurin relates their reasons for enlisting; their arrival at Montford Point and the training they received there; their lives in a segregated military and in the Jim Crow South; their experiences of combat and service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; and their legacy. This book serves to recognize and to honor the men who desegregated the Marine Corps and loyally served their country in three major wars.

About the Author

Melton A. McLaurin is professor emeritus of history at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is author of eight books, including the award-winning Separate Pasts: Growing Up White in the Segregated South.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0807861766
Publisher ‏ : ‎ The University of North Carolina Press; Illustrated edition (February 26, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807830976
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807861769
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1840L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.5 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #855,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,617 in Vietnam War History (Books)
- #3,348 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)
- #7,835 in World War II History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
225

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4.7 out of 5

225 global ratings

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George

EXCELLENT !!!

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book is a must read. It is very informative of what people of color went through while serving their country. I did not want to put it down once I started reading it and finished it in 3 days.

One person found this helpful

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John Crouch

Inspirational, Motivating and Enlightening

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2007

Verified Purchase

As a retired Marine First Sergeant (white) who was very familiar with the history of the Montford Point Marines, my eyes were opened to a more telling story that needed to be told. Although most books, articles and movies focus on the confrontational pressure cooker of black vs. white in a few dramatic examples, this book was the first one that allowed me to actually feel the emotions of oppression during their routine daily life. I have read many books, articles and seen several movies on the subject of racism but I have never been enthralled like I have during my reading of this book.

What I found very commendable was the neutrality of the writer. The mixture of good stories of genuine helpful whites was balanced with an equal number of examples of racism. Because the book is 90 percent actual stories from Montford Point Marines and 10 percent framing the content for each chapter, you feel as though you are visiting with these special Marines on their front porch as they tell their story.

I commend the writer on his method of creating chapters in the book. Each Chapter has a unique focus that is very specific for that chapter. This will make for an excellent method of research when seeking specific information for public speaking or citation in future articles to be written.

Semper Fi!

First Sergeant John E. Crouch (ret)

34 people found this helpful

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Oscar shaw

Learning more about my forefathers

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2022

Verified Purchase

I found out after I’d retired that my former neighbor was a Montfort Point Marine. I ordered this CD to learn more about his trials and tribulations. We had the opportunity for me to thank him again for his sacrifices prior to his death at 100 years of age! Thanks for the great history lessons!

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2013

Verified Purchase

The stories in this book are hard to believe but all too real. Sad to think how ignorant our country was and how so many great Americans were treated so bad. The book is a must read for anyone who has a sincere desire to understand the history of our military - specifically the Marine Corps. Not only does it reveal the truth about race relations in our Marine Corps, but the Espri de Corps maintained by the Montford Point Marines through out their lives after the Marine Corps speaks volumes of what it takes to be a Marine and what it means to any person - regardless of race - that has earned the title - "Marine." I gave the book only 4 stars because I feel the format and organization undermines the story and unintentionally misses the mark on an extremely important point: you can be born into a life of ignorance and prejudice - or you can live a life of being kept "separate but equal" - but when the bullets and bombs start - we are all brothers-in-arms - and we will all look out for each other. In war - the human race is the only race that matters and you either band together as brothers or we all go down together. If you have no military in your blood - this is the one book on military history you should read.

7 people found this helpful

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kimberly

Awesome history.

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2021

Verified Purchase

In this amazing history of the Montfort point Marines, I found a picture of my grandfather. This was so special for my family- as he is now deceased. Now we are working on his posthumous medal of honor.

One person found this helpful

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RKGreen

Edgar Huff would be proud

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

I first heard the story of one of these marines by reading the book Bloods. It contained the story of Edgar Huff, who became one of the longest serving enlisted marines in history, and was one of the first to be allowed to enlist. I hope the ones who are left have someone tell more of their stories, because they belong to history. This book was an excellent read.

One person found this helpful

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EclecticReader

Outstanding book.

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

I found this book to be very useful and edifying regarding how African American Marines worked so hard to integrate the Corps.

This was an eye opening experience for me. Their pride and self sacrifice for this country is what makes our Marine Corps what it is today.

God bless all those “Greatest Generation” Marines from Montfort Point!

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have been to Camp Johnson for training and never knew of its history. This recollection of stories provided by African American Marines that served before me makes me feel proud that I made the Marines a career. It also gives me another reason to be proud of the choice I made to stay Marine.

2 people found this helpful

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Richard Coghill

This is constructively entertaining

Reviewed in Australia on December 27, 2022

Verified Purchase

This book effectively explains the interactions of Black males (non-white males) in the United States Marine Corps from World War Two to the Vietnam Conflict and how they endured the challenges of combat and/or racism simultaneously. It exposes the reader to the lives of Black (non-white) marines who were not effectively represented in popular movies such as: Letters From Iwo Jima and/or Flags Of Our Fathers. I suggest white and/or non-white people read this in order to learn more about The Race Problem.

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