American Legion – American Legion Riders Post 21 Academic Scholarship Campaign
Auction Ends: Sep 1, 2020 10:00 PM PDT

Collectibles

Montford Point Marines

Item Number
121
Estimated Value
7 USD
Opening Bid
5 USD  -  Item Has a Reserve

The winning bid will go to FrontStream Global Fund (tax ID 26-3265577), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which will send the donation to American Legion (tax ID 237026598) on behalf of the winner.

Live Event Item

After the online close, this item went to a Live Event for further bidding. Absentee Bidding offered.

Item Description

The 1.5 Inch Montford Point Marines Bronze Medal is a smaller duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medal. This medal is perfect for the WWII history buff, so order one for your collection and one to give away.

Item Special Note

Awarded collectively to the Montford Point Marines at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Building on June 27, 2012, the Congressional Gold Medal and this bronze version recognize their personal sacrifice and service to their country during World War II.

These were the first black Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order that established the Fair Employment Practices Commission in June 1941. The recruits trained at Camp Montford Point near Jacksonville, North Carolina. Black Marines of the 8th Ammunition Company and the 36th Depot Company landed on the island of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. The largest number of black Marines to serve in combat during World War II took part in the seizure of Okinawa, with approximately 2,000 seeing action. Some of these Marines also participated in amphibious landings on Peleliu and Saipan. During World War II, more than 19,000 black Americans served in the Marine Corps, with some 13,000 of these serving in units overseas.