Montford Point Retired Marine Henry B. Edwards Receives Congressional Gold Medal Award

More than eight decades after stepping forward to earn the title of United States Marine, Montford Point Marine Henry B. Edwards received recognition for a legacy that helped shape the Marine Corps for generations to come. Edwards, 97, was presented the Congressional Gold Medal by Maj. Gen. Douglas K. Clark, deputy commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South, during a ceremony at Bethel Ame Church in New Orleans on Sept. 27, 2026.

Edwards was born March 28, 1929, in Chickasaw, Alabama. After graduating from Mobile County Training School in Plateau, Alabama, in 1946, Edwards enlisted in the Marine Corps that same year. His path took him to Montford Point at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was among the approximately 20,000 African American men who trained between 1942 and 1949, becoming part of a generation whose service helped break racial barriers within the Marine Corps.

After completing training, Edwards served overseas in Saipan and San Juan, before being honorably discharged in 1947. Though his time in uniform was brief, his commitment to public service continued for decades. In 1948, Edwards enrolled at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he pledged to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, participated in the Honor Society Association and earned his degree in 1951.

Edwards later served as a supervisor at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama, an automotive repair instructor at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and as an automotive instructor at a vocational school back in Mobile. His career eventually led him to federal service with the U.S. Department of Labor, where his assignments took him to Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi, before retiring in 1987.

His dedication to selfless service also extended into his community and church. Edwards spent years serving in leadership roles at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Orleans and within the Ninth Episcopal District, as well as at Pine Grove AME Church in Mobile. In 1953, Edwards married Irma Frye Edwards. Their family grew across generations, and the young Marine who once arrived at Montford Point became a father, grandfather and great-grandfather of five. Nearly seven decades later, Edwards stood before another generation of Marines as Clark presented him the Congressional Gold Medal.

“There will be no discrimination, prejudice or immoral conduct in my organization,” Clark said. “You are a legacy, and we all thank you for your selfless service and the path you paved for the Marines who followed.”

This recognition represents more than a single moment in Edward's lifetime. His story spans from Montford Point to federal employment, faith, family and decades of community service. Serving as a reminder of a legacy of service across a lifetime.

You know the Tuskegee Airmen but do you know these other black military heroes?

If you are like me you have a great respect for the Tuskegee Airmen. You can make the argument that without them there is no Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, they broke down barriers and showed the true strength and courage of black men. They valiantly fought for a country that they knew would treat them as second class citizens once the war was over, but they did it knowing what it would mean for the Black Community. Their military record and the commendations speak to the heroes that they were. But they are not the only black military heroes we should know of.

There were others such as The Harlem Hellfighters, The Montford Point Marines, Benjamin O. Davis, and The Golden 13. Learn a little more about them through test and video and get links to books about them below.

The Harlem Hellfighters

The Harlem Hellfighters were an African-American infantry unit in WWI who spent more time in combat than any other American unit. Despite their courage, sacrifice and dedication to their country, they returned home to face racism and segregation from their fellow countrymen.

Read more on the Harlem Hellfighters: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/who-were-the-harlem-hellfighters/

The Montford Point Marines

With the beginning of World War II African Americans would get their chance to be in “the toughest outfit going,” the previously all-white Marine Corps. The first recruits reported to Montford Point, a small section of land on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on August 26, 1942. By October only 600 recruits had begun training although the call was for 1,000 for combat in the 51st and 52nd Composite Defense Battalions.

The men of the 51st soon distinguished themselves as the finest artillery gunners in the Marine Corps, breaking almost every accuracy record in training. Unfortunately, discrimination towards African American fighting abilities still existed and when shipped to the Pacific, the 51st and 52nd were posted to outlying islands away from the primary action. The only Montford Marines to see action, and record casualties, were the Ammunition and Depot Companies in Saipan, Guam, and Peleliu. Private Kenneth Tibbs was the first black Marine to lose his life on June 15, 1944.

Read more about the Montford Point Marines here: http://www.montfordpointmarines.com/History.html

Benjamin O. Davis

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. was an American United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was the first African-American general officer in the United States Air Force.

Read more about Benjamin Davis here: http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/107298/general-benjamin-oliver-davis-jr.aspx

The Golden 13

In January 1944 sixteen black enlisted men gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois to begin a cram course that would turn them into the U.S. Navy's first African-American officers on active duty. The men believed they could set back the course of racial justice if they failed and banded together so all would succeed. Despite the demanding pace, all sixteen passed the course. Twelve were commissioned as ensigns and a thirteenth was made a warrant officer. Years later these pioneers came to be known as the Golden Thirteen, but at the outset they were treated more as pariahs than pioneers. Often denied the privileges and respect routinely accorded white naval officers, they were given menial assignments unworthy of their abilities and training. Yet despite this discrimination, these inspirational young men broke new ground and opened the door for generations to come.

Read more about The Golden 13: http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/golden-thirteen-begin-training

Montford Point Marine Veteran Receives Congressional Gold Medal

[SOURCE] Montford Point Marine Sgt. Hiram L. Knowles was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his honorable service during the Era of World War II on Feb. 7, 2015 at the Mary Woodard Lasker Biomedical Research Building, New York City.

In 2012, Congress authorized the Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to each of the 20,000 Montford Point Marines or to their families in recognition of the accomplishments and sacrifices made during a time of segregation.

“It’s a great honor for anyone to give their service to our country and knowing what my dad did, was a great gift,” said Jemere Smith, Knowles’ daughter.

Montford Point Marines were the first African-American Marines to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. They got the name because of their segregated training site at Montford Point, North Carolina. Along with family and loved ones in the audience, was Ambassador Theodore Britton Jr., a former Marine who served beside Knowles as a Montford Point Marine.

“We had a great time. He was a lot of fun, (but) he took care of business, and didn’t take any stuff from no one because he knew what he was doing,” said Britton, the honorary Consul General of the Republic of Albania. “I was pleased to serve with him.”

The Montford Point Marine Training Facility was shut down in 1949 after President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 which desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces.

“My time in service was very educational; it was like a college education, reading, writing, and learning,” said Britton. “I came out a very well educated person even though I didn’t formally go to school.” Between 1942 and 1949 over 20,000 African-American Marines were trained. Of those, 13,000 served overseas areas including Vietnam, Japan and Guadalcanal.

To date, at least 400 Montford Point Marines have received this honor.