Wes Eastman’s Marine Corps training experience at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina in many ways paralleled the experience of African American Marines at the nearby segregated Camp Montford Point, including the long train ride to camp, and the rigorous mental and physical training in preparation of combat.
However similar, it was in many ways so much different. In 1942, the first group of African-American Marines cleared out the trees and hand-built the wooden barracks that became Montford Point. No matter how patriotic they were, African-American Marines were relegated to riding in segregated railroad cars to get to Montford Point. Upon arrival they found the nearby town of Jacksonville, North Carolina strictly segregated. The railroad tracks running through the town was the demarcation line for racial segregation.
Through it all, the Montford Point Marines demonstrated exemplary loyalty and service to their country in the face of extreme prejudice and discrimination.
Wes’s son W. Dean Eastman was the proud recipient of the James E. Stewart Torch Bearer Award, presented at the Annual Banquet of the Montford Point Marines of America held on June 23, 2019 in Detroit. Michigan. Eastman received this award in recognition of his humanitarian service and historical writing and research.
The 2020 recipient is Eddie Ellis.
The Montford Point Marines of America is an organization of African-American Marine Corps Veterans who recognize the achievements and sacrifices of the original Montford Point Marines who were first admitted into the Marine Corps in 1942 and were trained at the segregated Camp Montford Point near Jacksonville, NC from 1942 until 1949 when the armed services were finally, fully integrated.
Additional links:
Montford Point Marines (official website)
Montford Point Marines National Frontline eNews Magazine, June 2020
Montford Point Marines (Military.com)
Montford Point Marines. (Randall Library, University of North Carolina Wilmington)
“First black Marines mark 75th anniversary of the segregated boot camp.” Marine Corp Times.
“The Montford Point Marines Worked and Fought on Iwo Jima” Lest We Forget. Hampton University.
“Montford Point Marines Established an Undeniable Legacy in the United States Marine Corps” Wounded Warrior Project.
Absolutely Outstanding
I loved reading this and Chapter 1 of your father’s memoir. I did not know that you and James E. Stewart, Jr. both had a similar, proud heritage as sons of WWII Marines. So glad you both have given the time and attention necessary to see that their stories are told. What a proud legacy!
Eleanor Stewart-Kay