Parade Grand Marshal Recognized by Congress

Oscar Culp, the grand marshal of this year’s Independence Day Parade in Oceanside, was of some 400 Montford Point Marines in Washington D.C. Thursday to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

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The Montford Point Marines fought in World War 2 and were the first African American Marines. The medal will reside at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va.

From 1942 to 1949, approximately 20,000 African American recruits were trained at Montford Point during World War II. There will be approximately 400 Montford Point Marines in attendance, and they will each receive a bronze replica medal the next day at the parade.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded as the utmost expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

A Marine Corps release shows the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Amos, told the Marines the recognition is long overdue.

“By breaking the color-barrier in 1942, the Montford Point Marines became part of the rich legacy of our Corps.  They answered our nation's call despite our society being deeply divided along racial lines.  As such, their contributions went largely unrecognized and many times they were not given the respect and recognition they deserved as Marines, as Americans, and as patriots," he said.  "To me, they were heroic for two reasons: they fought against the enemy during World War II while they also fought for their civil rights and the respect of their fellow Americans.”

The medal was designed and approved by the Montford Point Marine Association, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Mint.  Bronze replica medals will be available for purchase on the U.S. Mint webpage June 27.

—Information about the ceremony was taken from a Marine Corps news release.

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