*In 2012, Representative Karen Bass stood proudly before the House Speaker to show her support of and respect for Marion Meredith Beal, who was being honored with a Congressional Gold Medal. Admirably called, “Honor Man,” by those in his platoon, he served as an original Monford Point Marine during WWII. Mr. Beal passed away on Saturday, March 26, at the age of 94.
But oh what a life he lived!
As one of the first African Americans to serve in the Marine Corps, Mr. Beal and his fellow Marines was trained at the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, NC, from 1942-1949.
Following his service, Beal went on to work (and was the FIRST African American to do so) at the Marines Headquarters office as a result of being able to type 100 words per minute (don’t forget: only manual typewriters existed then!).
It was this skill that enabled him to avoid combat.
Read more about this remarkable man at EURThisNthat.
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