(American Memorial Park) — On June 15, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802. E.O. 8802 states that “there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in the defense industries of Government because of race, creed, color, or national origin…” While this Executive Order did not ban segregation in the United States military, it did open positions to many Americans who had been kept out until then.
In 1942 the first Black Marine recruits trained at a segregated training facility called Montford Point. These Marines were trained for anti-aircraft defense battalions as well as supply and logistical roles. By the end of WWII some 13,000 Montford Point Marines were deployed overseas to the Pacific, including Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
In honor of these Marines and in recognition of Black History Month, American Memorial Park will be showing the documentary film, “The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom.” The film includes interviews of veterans who trained at Montford Point and served during WWII. The film will show at the American Memorial Park theater on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome.
Montford Point Marines relaxing from their jobs with the 3rd Ammunition Company in Saipan circa 1944.
