Teamsters Honor Those Who Serve

The following article from the Marine Corps News honors the achievements and service blacks have given to the Marine Corps since the early days of our nation.

Teamsters have a long history of service with the military both at home and abroad. The members have always given the greatest respect and support to all those who serve— black and white.

When the U.S. Armed Forces needed help teaching soldiers to drive and maintain the new “motor trucks” in 1917, the Teamsters were there. Black members were given new opportunities to showcases their skills and abilities because the union did not recognize a “color line.” The union was firm in its insistence that no exclusions be placed on who could work the special armed services projects by race (or gender for that matter).

Black members have served in all branches of the military in every conflict faced by the United States since the inception of the Teamsters in 1903. In World War II, black members were among the 1,700 Teamsters who built the Burma Road; they helped secure the West Coast and Alaska from invasion; and many were part of the famed Red Ball Express corps of drivers who ran a vital supply line through France.

Teamsters were one of the first unions to honor job seniority of returning veterans and today proudly sponsor the “Helmets to Hardhats” project, providing job training for returning veterans in the building and construction fields.

Teamsters salute more than two centuries of service by black men and women to this country through the Marines Corps and all the United States Armed Forces.

Recognizing 233 Years of Black Marines
By Sgt. Michael T. Knight, Marine Corps Base CampPendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.  — The United States celebrates February as Black History Month by recognizing the many contributions made by African-Americans throughout history.

Although blacks were brought to America as slaves, many African-Americans contributed to the foundation of American society. One of the most prestigious contributions included serving as Marines.

“We didn’t learn much about black history growing up,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, Marine Corps Installations West commanding general. “But, we did learn how slaves help to build America.”

Although the Marine Corps would not officially accept African-Americans until World War II, a few documented blacks did serve as Marines on land and aboard ships during the American Revolution, according to the book, “African-Americans in the Revolutionary War” by Army Lt. Col. Michael Lee Lanning.

A total of 13 veterans from that era are identified on the Marine Corps’ roster as black.

At least one black Marine by the name of John Martin died in action, aboard the brig Reprisal in 1777.

Martin was a slave who was recruited into the Continental service without his owner's knowledge in April 1776, according to an article in the “Black Collegian.”

After America earned its independence, it would be more than 150 years before backs were officially allowed to join the Corps.

The country was still segregated during that time. Therefore, the first official black Marines trained separate from other recruits at Montford Point Camp, N.C., from 1942 until President Truman signed an executive order to force full integration of the United States in 1949. A total of 20,000 blacks trained at the camp.

Today, African-Americans represent approximately 11 percent of the Marine Corps, according to a recent demographic profile of the U. S. military.

The U.S. Census Bureau most recent report shows that 12.8 percent of the U.S. population is made up of black Americans. Therefore, African-Americans are well represented in the Corps today.

“Over the time I have served, I’ve been able to witness the Marine Corps diversify, especially in the senior enlisted ranks,” said Jackson. “When I first joined in 1975 there were no black generals.”

Today, Jackson is one of four major generals and approximately 27 percent of the Marine Corps sergeants major are black.

“I feel proud to be part of an organization that is always striving to do the right thing,” said Jackson, who has served 35 years.

America has made many strides towards equality; from the uncomfortable truth of having slaves that served, to now having a black commander-in-chief.

“The creation of Black History Month helped to sensitize the whole nation that African-Americans have a role in society,” said Jackson.