Montford Point Marines: Congress honors first black Marines with medal

The Montford Point Marines — the long overlooked first black Marine unit, that served in the Pacific in World War II — are finally getting their due.

The U.S. Senate late Wednesday unanimously awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The House passed the measure 422-0 on Oct. 25.

“The Montford Point Marines are finally receiving the recognition they deserve,” Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., who pushed the measure in the Senate, said after it was approved.

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