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Black History Month: 13 Montford Point Marines from Key West

2/7/2022

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​In 1942, shortly after the United States entered the second World War, African Americans began to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive Order banning discrimination within the US Defense Industry. Despite being able to join, the military was still segregated and Black marines were trained at a separate facility known as Montford Point near Jacksonville, North Carolina.
 
During this time, unlike white soldiers, the Black marines had to “fight for the right to fight” - many were not given the chance to serve in combat, despite being forced to go through significantly harder physical and mental testing. 20,000 Black recruits went through training at this camp between 1942-1949, discontinuing when segregation within the armed forces was outlawed by President Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order 9981. They were finally recognized for their service in 2012 by President Barack Obama, with the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to all living and nonliving Montford Point Marines.
 
13 Montford Point Marines were locals from Key West. In 2021, the City honored these men who served in the face of adversity with a memorial in the Key West Veterans Memorial Garden at Bayview Park, a ceremony that was attended by many, including children and great grandchildren of the 13. The engraved monument lists the names of all; Clarence Alce Sr., George Carey, Charles A. Allen, Sr., Ralph Williams, Nathan B. Tynes, Robert B. Sawyer, Sr., Nathaniel W. Mickens, Charles G. Manuel, William C. Johnson, Sr., Shedrack M.A. Hannibal, Timothy E. Johnson, James Hall, and Vernol H. Carey. It is located near a separate monument dedicated to the Black Union soldiers who were recruited from Key West to fight in the Civil War. 

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  • Home
  • Visit Key West
    • Community Calendar
    • Getting Here
    • Map & Places of Interest
    • Places to Stay >
      • Lodging Online Booking
    • Places to Dine
    • Things to Do >
      • The Florida Keys & Key West
    • Weddings
    • Coupons
    • Sunset Times
  • Live, Work & Relocate
    • New Residents Guide
    • Important Telephone Numbers
    • City of Key West >
      • Utilities
      • Disaster Preparedness Resources
    • Monroe County >
      • School/College Registration
      • Auto/Drivers License Info
      • Fishing/Hunting/Boating Licenses Info
    • Latest Community News
    • Job Listings >
      • Job Board
    • Statistics on Tourism
  • The Chamber
    • Why Join the Chamber >
      • Membership Application
      • Referral Roundup
      • Testimonials
      • Member Login
    • Board of Directors
    • Chamber Staff
    • Chamber Calendar >
      • Holiday Decorating Contest
      • Masquerade March
      • Showcase of Key West Businesses
      • Annual Golf Outing
    • Advocacy >
      • Legislative Agenda >
        • Advocacy Request Form
      • Election Information
    • Committees
    • Chamber Resources >
      • 2022 Business Magazine
      • Business Directory
      • Ribbon Cuttings
      • Member Discounts and Affinity Programs
      • Marketing & Advertising Opportunities
    • Awards >
      • Athena Award Nominations
    • Chamber News >
      • Member To Member Emails
      • Cybersecurity and Ransomware
    • Photo Gallery
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Foundation
    • Tom Sawyer Five Star Program
    • Teacher Appreciation
    • Past Scholarship Award Winners
    • Scholarship
  • Economic Development
    • Business Resources >
      • Economic Partners
      • Quick Facts
      • Business Survey
      • Community Survey
      • Workforce Housing Survey
      • Monroe County Score Card