Montford Point was established in 1942, and this is the perfect time to take a break from the Pacific and focus the next few episodes on the history of desegregation in the Marine Corps.
Marines at Montford Point overcame substantial hurdles to serve in the Corps. They were enlisting in a branch that literally didn't want them (Holcomb confirmed this in testimony before the General Board of the Navy, where he concluded with the claim that they were trying to "break into a club that doesn't want them.") Montford Point Marines also had to overcome the doubt that they could meet the standards of the Corps. Hashmark Johnson, the recruit depot battalion Sergeant Major, trained his recruits hard to ensure there was no question that Marines produced in his depot would exceed the standards set by the Corps.
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References
Department of Defense. (2018, May 6). Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction (DOD Directive 6130.03).
Dunn, L. C. (1949). The U. S. Navy’s First Seagoing Marine Officer. U.S. Naval Institute, 75/8/558. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1949/august/u-s-navys-first-seagoing-marine-officer
Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863
Executive Order 8802 Dated June 25, 1941, in which President Franklin D. Roosevelt Prohibits Discrimination in the Defense Program
Fortitudine. (2012). 37(2).
Holcomb, T. (1943, March) Letter of Instruction 421
H.R.2965 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. (2010, December 22). https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2965
McHenry, J. (1797, April 7). Regarding the transmittal of government rules and regulations respecting the recruiting service.
Militia Act of 1792, May 2, 1792
Pay Roll of Captain Robert Mullen’s Company marines to December 1st 1776
Shaw, Henry I., Jr.; Donnelly, Ralph W. (2002). "Blacks in the Marine Corps". Washington, DC: History and Museums Division, Headquarters USMC.
Smith, C. R. (1975). Marines in the Revolution: A History of the Continental Marines in the American Revolution, 1775-1783. United States: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.