Charleston South Carolina area US Marine to be Honored with Congressional Gold Medal
The family of Alonzo H. Rouse will be presented with the Congressional Gold Medal at October Gala
(Charleston SC) – The National Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 47 will present the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to the family of Montford Point Marine Alonzo H. Rouse during their Gala on Saturday October 26 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Citadel’s Buyer Auditorium – Mark Clark Hall 171 Moultrie Street Charleston SC 29409. This year’s theme is Surviving Extremes the Story of the Montford Point Marines.
The Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by Congress is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
On November 23 2011 President Barack Obama signed into law the legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines. This award recognizes Montford Point Marines' contributions to the Marine Corps and the United States of America from 1942 to 1949 during a time of hardship and segregation. Nearly 20000 Marines were trained at Montford Point North Carolina from 1942-1949. Every aspect of their training was segregated from their white counterparts. They were housed in prefabricated huts and railroad tracks separated white residents from the training camp. They were only permitted on the main base of Camp Lejeune if they were escorted by a white Marine.
The Chapter will also recognize its Scholarship recipient for 2024/5.
The National Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 47 recently celebrated its second anniversary as it was chartered on August 26th Montford Point Marine Day 2022 at the 57th National Convention held at the Montford Point Marines Museum Building M101 Camp Johnson North Carolina.
Who are the Montford Point Marines?
The Montford Point Marines were the first African Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission in June 1941. The recruits trained at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville NC from August 26 1942 until the camp was decommissioned on September 9 1949.
The mission of the National Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 47
-Serving our veterans and community
-Supporting education through scholarship
-Preserving the legacy of the Montford Point Marine
To register visit the MPMA Charleston Chapter 47 on the web and on Eventbrite. Parking is available on campus.
Public is invited.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Mark Clark Hall, Avenue of Remembrance, Charleston, SC, USA, United States
