CHARLOTTE — As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re honoring the legacy and contributions of the Montford Point Marines.
Theodore Britton is one of the original members. Britton has worn many hats in his career, but the title that gives him the most pride is Marine.
The Montford Point Marines were the first Black men to serve in the United States Marine Corps.
Because of segregation, they were not sent to Camp Lejeune for bootcamp with their white counterparts. Instead, they were sent to Montford Point, North Carolina.
“When the Marine Commandant announced that he didn’t know how to handle us and that he was afraid of us – of course they still sent their own, their fellow whites, to train us. But I like to say that after a certain number of months, they realized that we didn’t need them,” Britton explained.
It was that can-do spirit that guided Britton and the other Montford Point Marines. Initially, they were not allowed in combat during World War II, but when bullets started flying, racial barriers didn’t make sense.
“This is what we are trained for as Marines, so our men quickly established themselves. Many of the men fired expertly on the rifle range, so here they were able to relieve young white Marines. So needless to say, they welcomed us with open arms,” said Britton.
Channel 9′s Glenn Counts caught up with Britton in Charlotte, where he was the keynote speaker at the local chapter’s annual scholarship gala.
Britton, now 99 years old, said his secret to longevity is his love of reading and the fact that self-doubt is not in his vocabulary.
“I never felt that any of the officers were superior to me other than in rank, but even then, my demeanor seemed to capture their attention, and so they gave me a certain amount of respect,” Britton elaborated.
Respect is something that has always been important to Britton and other Montford Point Marines, and they have always been willing to break through any barrier to get it.
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