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Honoring African American Marines
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Posted on Jan 30 2018
In honor of African American History Month in February, the American Memorial Park will welcome crew members of the USNS Montford Point to share the important story of their ship’s namesake.
During World War II, Montford Point Camp, North Carolina, was the training site for African American Marines who served in segregated units.
According to Capt. Kurt Kleinschmidt, Montford Point Camp trained “some of the first black Marines to see combat during the Second World War and the first to be killed in action during that conflict. The USNS Montford Point is named in honor of those 20,000 who served their country with honor and distinction and at the same time helped bring about social change in the Marine Corps.”
Several of these Marines fought on Saipan’s shores in 1944 and the names of three who were killed in action rest on the walls of American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor.
On Feb. 8, at 6pm the community is invited to the American Memorial Park Visitor Center Theater to learn about the Montford Point Marines. Presenters will share a film presentation that highlights the story of the Montford Point Training site and its role during World War II.
After the film, the crew will talk about their vessel, the USNS Montford Point that often sits outside Saipan’s lagoon.
The evening will wrap up with opportunities for questions.
For more information on the park and its programs, contact lead ranger Brooke Nevitt at 234-7207 or 2020 or via email at brooke_nevitt@nps.gov. (NPS)
