Montford Point Marines receive Congressional Medal

The most fitting tribute for three of St. Louis’ original Montford Point Marines was receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, our nation’s highest civilian honor, during Black History Month.

World War II veterans James Wilkes, Godfrey Wilson and Yolande Latham played a vital role in the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces. Their valiant service was formally recognized at the 16th annual “Chosen Few” Banquet and Awards Ceremony recently held at the St. Louis Airport-Marriott.

The event was co-hosted by the St. Louis Chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay said it was a privilege to bestow the long-overdue honor.

“It’s more than I expected, and I’m very gratified to have earned it,” Wilkes said. “The Marine Corps taught me more than I would’ve learned anywhere else. It taught me how to be a man among men and women.”

Over 60 years after their service, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill honoring Montford Point Marines on Nov. 23, 2011. Last summer, thousands of surviving Montford Point Marines from across the country convened on the U.S. Capitol to receive their Congressional Gold Medals.

“While they were defending freedom and saving the world from fascism, these three brave Americans and their comrades were also fighting a battle for equality and full citizenship for African Americans,” Clay said.

The U.S. military in World War II, like the rest of pre-civil rights America, was segregated. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 8802, African Americans gained access into the U.S. Marine Corps. Between 1942 and 1949, approximately 20,000 African-American recruits were sent to the all-black Montford Point basic training camp in North Carolina. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order No. 9981 that banned segregation in the Armed Forces.

Wilkes was the only honoree who left the banquet with a physical medal. Anthony Chestang, president of the St. Louis Chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association and Central Regional vice president, said that the other two Congressional Gold Medals hadn’t made it to St. Louis because the remnants of the East Coast winter storm dubbed “Nemo” had grounded over 1,000 flights nationwide.

Michael McMillan, License Collector for the City of St. Louis, was expecting a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Montford Point Marine Association, but another honor caught him off guard.

Clay presented McMillan with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his commitment to the St. Louis community.

“It’s very hard to surprise people,” Chestang said. “But, I think we finally surprised Mr. McMillan.”

McMillan began his acceptance speech by referencing a full-page ad on the back of JET magazine paying homage to the Montford Point Marines: “They set out to make a difference and ended up making history.”