Goldsboro man, one of nation's first Black Marines, honored for his service

On Friday 55 of the first Black Marines in U.S. history received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service.

The Montford Point Marines integrated the Marine Corps at their base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the 1940s.

"They had to fight for the right to fight," said James Averhart, President of the National Montford Point Marine Association. "Because of their sacrifices, the perseverance and commitment of the Montford Point Marines, tens of thousands of Marines are reaping the benefit and stand on the shoulders of these pioneers."

Alfonzo Jones, the one surviving Montford Point Marine from Goldsboro, was awarded the medal Friday morning, along with 54 others. Family members from across the country attended the ceremony and received the medal on behalf of their loved ones.

Fifty-five medals were presented at Friday's event, the largest gathering in the U.S. since the first ceremony recognizing these men in 2012 in Washington, D.C.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress.

Approximately 20,000 of these men served separate from their white counterparts under harsh conditions from 1942 to 1949 in Jacksonville at a place known as Montford Point — now part of U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

They served during and after World War II (up until the Marines fully integrated), and many saw active combat in the Pacific.