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| Elmo 'Top' Hicks |
The top leader of the Marine Corps said Tuesday that he wants the first black members of the Marines to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and hopes their story will inspire more black men and women to join the Corps and rise through its ranks.
This story was brought to my attention by Chester native and former Master Gunnery Sergeant, Elmo Hicks. MGySgt Hicks says...
At long last, as I read this article it brought tears to my eyes. Sadly most of these first Blacks are no longer with us. Most of these Black Marines that I knew have passed.
When I entered the Marine Corps in 1958, less then 4000 Blacks were on active duty and the door for Blacks to serve in Marine Corps Aviation and other special assignments had not been open long.
In 1942 a Marine General Officer drafted a secret document declaring that Blacks would not be permitted to serve in the Marine Air Corps.
My 30 years of active duty had consisted of duty assignments in Marine Aviation, and Special Assignment or B Billets (Recruiting Duty, Inspector/Instructor Duty, Embassy Duty).
The assignment to an American Embassy was the last door to be open for Blacks. In 1982 I was the 7th Black Staff Noncommissioned Officer to be assign to an American Embassy.
It is a great honor for me to have known many of those first Black Marines. To hear their stories would certainly touch your heart. They spoke of their hardship and unjust treatment, and in the same breath they would speak of their love for the Corps. If they had to do it all over again they wouldn't change a thing.
Such character, these Blacks Americans, these Chosen Few.
Click HERE for the full article
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