Lt. Gen. Willie Williams, director of Marine Corps staff, presents a Montford Point Marine with a bronze replica Congressional Gold Medal during a special ceremony at the historic parade grounds of Marine Barracks Washington June 28. In 1942, President Roosevelt established a presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited into the Marine Corps. Between 1942 and 1949 approximately 20,000 African American Marines received basic training at the segregated Montford Point instead of the traditional boot camps of Parris Island, S.C. and San Diego, Calif. These men fought for their country with honor and valor that are hallmarks of the Corps, but they were not treated as equals to their white counterparts at the time. Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, set out to begin to right this wrong when he invited the Montford Point Marines to the Barracks Aug. 26, 2011 to be the guests of honor at a Friday Evening Parade, bringing their story to the national forefront and starting a chain of events that lead to this historic day. - Lt. Gen. Willie Williams, director of Marine Corps staff, presents a Montford Point Marine with a bronze replica Congressional Gold Medal during a special ceremony at the historic parade grounds of Marine Barracks Washington June 28. In 1942, President Roosevelt established a presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited into the Marine Corps. Between 1942 and 1949 approximately 20,000 African American Marines received basic training at the segregated Montford Point instead of the traditional boot camps of Parris Island, S.C. and San Diego, Calif. These men fought for their country with honor and valor that are hallmarks of the Corps, but they were not treated as equals to their white counterparts at the time. Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, set out to begin to right this wrong when he invited the Montford Point Marines to the Barracks Aug. 26, 2011 to be the guests of honor at a Friday Evening Parade, bringing their story to the national forefront and starting a chain of events that lead to this historic day.
1st Sgt. Auburne Edwards, escort commander, leads the Marine Barracks Washington marching detail to the funeral site of Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt, a financial resource management analyst, during the funeral at Arlington National Cemetary May 8. Pruitt died from an improvised explosive device attack during combat maneuvers in Afghanistan, April 28. He was the first Marine in his job specialty to die in combat in Corps history. - 1st Sgt. Auburne Edwards, escort commander, leads the Marine Barracks Washington marching detail to the funeral site of Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt, a financial resource management analyst, during the funeral at Arlington National Cemetary May 8. Pruitt died from an improvised explosive device attack during combat maneuvers in Afghanistan, April 28. He was the first Marine in his job specialty to die in combat in Corps history.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Miles, Marine Drum & Bugle Corps marketing chief, crawls through mud and under wires during the Civilian Military Combine at Bryce Resort, Va., April 21, 2012. The Combine, a weight lifting competition followed by a mountainous 6-mile obstacle course, was the fourth event in the 2012 Commander's Cup series. Miles was one of four D&B Marines who competed as a team. - Staff Sgt. Joshua Miles, Marine Drum & Bugle Corps marketing chief, crawls through mud and under wires during the Civilian Military Combine at Bryce Resort, Va., April 21, 2012. The Combine, a weight lifting competition followed by a mountainous 6-mile obstacle course, was the fourth event in the 2012 Commander's Cup series. Miles was one of four D&B Marines who competed as a team.
The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps performs during a Battle Color Detachment ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Yuma, Ariz., March 2, 2012. The BCD, composed by D&B, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and Marine Corps Color Guard, is currently on its National Installations Tour. - The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps performs during a Battle Color Detachment ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Yuma, Ariz., March 2, 2012. The BCD, composed by D&B, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and Marine Corps Color Guard, is currently on its National Installations Tour.
Gunnery Sgt. Corey Nawrocki, Guard Company's gunnery sergeant, takes the Oath of Enlistment during his meritorious promotion ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington April 2. - Gunnery Sgt. Corey Nawrocki, Guard Company's gunnery sergeant, takes the Oath of Enlistment during his meritorious promotion ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington April 2.
Marine Corps Body Bearers carry the casket of Gen. Samuel Jaskilka (1919-2012), 16th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, to the caisson before it is delivered to the grave site at Arlington National Cemetery Jan. 26. Jaskilka joined the Marine Corps reserves as a second lieutenant in 1942 and served as the assistant commandant from 1975 until he retired in 1978. Jaskilka was also honored with a flyover of four MV-22 Ospreys during the ceremony. Jaskilka’s awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Star Medals, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal with a valor device, a World War II Victory Medal, seven Vietnam Service Medals and a United Nations Korea Medal.::r::::n:: - Marine Corps Body Bearers carry the casket of Gen. Samuel Jaskilka (1919-2012), 16th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, to the caisson before it is delivered to the grave site at Arlington National Cemetery Jan. 26. Jaskilka joined the Marine Corps reserves as a second lieutenant in 1942 and served as the assistant commandant from 1975 until he retired in 1978. Jaskilka was also honored with a flyover of four MV-22 Ospreys during the ceremony. Jaskilka’s awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Star Medals, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal with a valor device, a World War II Victory Medal, seven Vietnam Service Medals and a United Nations Korea Medal.::r::::n::
Sgt. Nate Morris, Drum and Bugle Corps snare drummer, practices new music Jan. 18. With the new year comes new music and preparation for the National Installations Tour, which begins in March, when the D&B will travel to numerous Marine Corps installations across the country to perform. - Sgt. Nate Morris, Drum and Bugle Corps snare drummer, practices new music Jan. 18. With the new year comes new music and preparation for the National Installations Tour, which begins in March, when the D&B will travel to numerous Marine Corps installations across the country to perform.
Master Gunnery Sgt. William L. Brown, U.S. Marine Band drum major, forms his platoon of musicians in front of the Home of the Commandants to prepare for the annual New Year’s Day serenade at Marine Barracks Washington Jan. 1. It was the band’s first opportunity to uphold the age-old tradition and serenade Gen. James F. Amos and his wife in front of their home. Last year, Amos’ first year as commandant, the ceremony was held in front of Crawford Hall here due to renovations to the Home of the Commandants. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mondo Lescaud/Released) - Master Gunnery Sgt. William L. Brown, U.S. Marine Band drum major, forms his platoon of musicians in front of the Home of the Commandants to prepare for the annual New Year’s Day serenade at Marine Barracks Washington Jan. 1. It was the band’s first opportunity to uphold the age-old tradition and serenade Gen. James F. Amos and his wife in front of their home. Last year, Amos’ first year as commandant, the ceremony was held in front of Crawford Hall here due to renovations to the Home of the Commandants. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mondo Lescaud/Released)