The Marines of Montford Point

In a race against time, the largely untold story of the nation's first African-American Marines is, at last, made known through The Marines of Montford Point. Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. narrates this stirring documentary capturing the experiences of the more than 20,000 African Americans trained in segregated facilities between 1942 and 1949 at Montford Point, NC — becoming the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

From its inception until 1942, the Marine Corps refused to recruit African Americans, American Indians and other minorities. Franklin D. Roosevelt's creation of the Fair Employment Practices Commission in 1941 forced the Corps, despite objections from its leadership, to begin recruiting African American Marines in 1942. The Marines' first black recruits received basic training at the segregated Montford Point Base adjacent to Camp Lejeune, NC and would continue to do so until 1949.

The Marines of Montford Point delivers the powerful soldier stories from this brave group of men, told with eloquence, dignity, passion and pride. The stories express anger and humor, sorrow and wisdom, yet always reveal a pride fostered by these soldiers's incredible accomplishments in the face of adversity. Each contains timeless words to be heard, words to be pondered, words that hold deep meaning and significance for American society in the 21st century.

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