Orangeburg man proud to be among first African-American Marines

[Blue_Tires]

On Feb 6, 2010, at approximately 12:35 in the afternoon, the oldest known Montford Point Marine passed away at the age of 93.

The Rev. James “Hicks” Glover’s life epitomized the rich history of the Montford Point Marines. He leaves a proud legacy for his family, friends, the Orangeburg community and our nation.

While we had a man of this stature in our midst, little was said about this “band of brothers,” known as the Montford Point Marines. Hence the history books are void of the contributions these brave men made to our country.

The passing of the Rev. Glover accentuates the reality that the surviving numbers of the Montford Point Marines are aging and dwindling. Over 60 years ago they were among the elite in the U.S. Marine Corps. Few and proud, they were the first African-Americans to be permitted in the Marines since shortly after the Revolutionary War.

When Glover enlisted in 1942, like the other African-American Marines, he had to overcome racial segregation and endure harsh training in a remote camp that is a part of what is now called Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, N.C., in order to serve in some of the most hostile situations of World War II.

Although they were often subjected to racial abuse and discrimination, these first African-American Marines compiled a record of honor while fighting for their country, the United States of America. They were members of the 51st Defense Battalion, which was authorized in 1942.

Some of these Marines were a part of a corps of non-commissioned officers that shipped out to defend islands in the Pacific. Others, such as Glover, became a part of the 27th Marine Depot Company, organized to labor as combat service support units. It was the depot and ammunition companies that participated in the savage fighting on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Pelelier, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The jobs of the support companies, while extremely dangerous, consisted of loading and unloading supplies, resupplying frontline units, and evacuating the dead and wounded. Their jobs were performed under sometimes heavy enemy fire. Glover would often reflect, “We were shot at, at all times by the Japanese hiding in coconut trees, and we shot back.” And so they did, persevering against all odds.

Each Montford Point Marine has his own personal story that needs to be told, but collectively as the Montford Point Marines, “the band of brothers,” the story of their heroism, their service and their sacrifice deserves to be recorded in history. The Montford Point Marines endured great hardships to begin a legacy that has brought honor to the U.S. Marine Corps and to all those who have served, and are yet to serve our nation.

http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2010/02/23/news/doc4b8406c318506578411009.txt