4 families of Montford Point Marines receive Congressional Gold Medals in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It is a mission to find Montford Point Marines, the first Black Marines, and properly recognize them.

On Saturday, four families were awarded Congressional Gold Medals at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.

The recipients were Sergeant Walter John Johnson, Corporal Carl Ernest Points, Corporal Lynnwood G. Campbell and Steward Asst. 2nd Class Ernest W. Garrett.

Michael and Jaurvon Johnson received the award on behalf of their father.

"It's great. A lot of people know about Tuskegee Airmen, not a lot of people know about Montford Point Marines," said Michael Johnson. "It makes my heart cry. I am so thankful for it. So thankful and appreciative for Montford Point Marines and the organization and association."

Established in 1942, the Montford Point Marines, an all-Black unit, became the country's first Black Marines during World War II.

They trained in a segregated area of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from 1942 until 1949.

While there were more than 20,000 Montford Point Marines, U.S. military records of the men are incomplete. Only around 2,000 were officially documented.

The first Black U.S. Marines were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012.

"Because of your coverage, especially in last year, we have identified literally dozens of members in the greater Philadelphia area that have this award waiting for them. We haven't covered everybody," said Joe Geeter, president of the local Montford Point Marine Chapter.

"They may have heard of their grandfather, father, their uncle, their brother's service. But now we have it documented," said Geeter.

Philadelphia leads the nation in awarding Congressional Gold Medals to these Montford Point Marines.