Blacks in the Marine Corps

The door was opened for blacks to serve in all branches of the Armed Forces on 25 June 1941 when Pres. Roosevelt issued Exec. Order No. 8802 establishing the Fair Employ. Practices Comm. The Marine Corps took preliminary steps to comply with the President's EO. By 1972 (the original year of this study) Black officers, noncomm. officers, & privates constituted nearly 1/5 of the Corps & were a normal & accepted part of Marine life. Chapters: the beginnings, the camp opens, the first grad., & expansion looms; the 51st & 52nd Defense Battalions; depot & ammunition co's.; between the wars; combat in Korea, black leaders, & changing times; the Vietnam era; Marine Units of the Fleet Marine Force, WW2; & Medal of Honor Recipients. Photos.Henry I., Jr. Shaw is the author of 'Blacks in the Marine Corps' with ISBN 9780756727239 and ISBN 0756727235.