"The footprints of the Montford Point Marines were left on the beaches of Roi-Nmur, Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Tides and winds have, long ago, washed them out into the seas of history...as new generations of marines learn to march in those footprints, their cadence assumes the proud stride of the men from Montford Point. "

From its birth in 1775 until the early 1940's strict enlistment criteria prohibited service in the Marine Corps by most non- white, non-male individuals. Shortly after President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order establishing fair employment practices in the Armed Forces, he issued a Presidential Directive that gave African American males the right to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

Even though there existed a positive performance record for African Americans serving with the Army and Navy since the onset of recorded American History, the Presidential Directive was not well received by the Marine Corps Commandant, who at the time stated: "there would be a definite loss of efficiency in the Marine Corps if we have to take Negroes...." The Secretary of the Navy, did not heed the Commandant's reservations, and decreed that enlistment of African American Marines would begin on June 1, 1942.

In compliance, the Marine Corps, with $750,000 budget constructed a recruit training facility for the sole purpose of administering basic training to African American recruits. The facility was located on the LeJeune Marine Corps Base at New River, North Carolina, and was called Montford Point Camp. It was separated from the main camp by 12 miles of dense pine forest, and few people were aware of its existence.

The first Commanding Officer of Montford Point was Colonel Samuel A. Woods; the initial commissioned and non-commissioned officers assigned for duty were White Marines. By May 1943, an adequate number of African American Sergeants and Corporals had been trained to replace all White Drill Instructors, and an African American Sergeant "Hashmark" Johnson bore the title 61 Recruit Battalion Field Sergeant Major.

At the time the camp was closed in 1949, over 21,000 recruits were molded into United States Marines of the Finest Caliber.

• Preserve the true legacy of Montford Point
• Preserve the true legacy of U.S. Veterans
• Support veteran programs
• Support educational assistance programs
• Support programs for youth and communities program

Today MPMA has grown into a prominent, Veterans association with 23 Chapters located across the nation. , We work closely with other veterans groups and our members are active in governmental Veteran Affairs at the local, state & national level.

Over 50% of our members are WWII veterans who completed basic training at Montford Point Boot camp. The remaining membership Is comprised of Veterans from every branch of The U.S. Armed Forces, serving honorably.

Official military records describe the countless, unmatched achievements many of our distinguished members are credited with. We take great pride in the unselfish contributions our Veterans have made to the defense of its principles and values.

Our diverse, historically significant MPMA membership, plus our meaningful mission serves as major attractions for Veterans who join our ranks... We Welcome You!

Last Name ________________ First Name ______________MI _____ Date of Birth ___/___/___

Street Address _____________________ City ______________ State ____ Zip Code ________

Phone: ____ - ____ - _____ Fax ____ - ____ - _____ E-mail ______________ SS# __________

Branch of Service ______ Yr. Served: Active 19 ___ 19 ___ Reserve 19 ___ Last Unit ________ Billet ______

___ I hereby apply for membership in the Beaufort Chapter of MPMA and enclose $ ____ for 1 year membership

___ I hereby apply for membership as a Member-at-Large in MPMA, and enclose $25.00 for 1 year membership

I certify that I have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces for more than 90 days, and that I received a honorable discharge at the time of my separation. By signature of this application, I agree to provide of my discharge upon request.

Applicant Signature __________________________________ Date ____/____/____

+ Application and payment for Chapter Membership should be mailed to the appropriate Regional Vice President

+ Application and payment for (Member-at-Large) Membership should be mailed to: Percy Corke, National Financial Secretary, 136 Delong Street, San Francisco, CA 94112.

+ Inquiries regarding membership or new chapter organization should be directed to: Elijah Abram, National Vice President, P.O. Box 1772, Beaufort, SC 29901-1772

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