I’d always known my grandfather as a man of few words, a great cook, a lover of jazz, westerns & good food with a hearty laugh and an impeccable sense of style. He was a retired Marine, whose three sons followed in his footsteps of military service (my Dad in the Air Force and my uncles in the Navy and Marines). But what I didn’t know until recently was my grandfather, Alfonzo Jones, was also an original Montford Point Marine.

If you’re asking who is a Montford Point Marine? You’re not alone. Until last year, I was clueless to this vital chapter of American history. This group of African American men enlisted to serve a branch and country that were hostile towards them. With World War II raging, the U.S. needed their manpower but viewed them as less than men.

From the National Montford Point Marine Association https://montfordpointmarines.org:

“WHO IS A MONTFORD POINT MARINE?

They are the first African-Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issues an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission in June 1941.  The recruits trained at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, NC from August 26, 1942 until the camp was decommissioned on September 9, 1949. 

The largest number of black Marines to serve in combat during WW II took part in the seizure of Okinawa, with approximately 2,000 seeing action.”

From the Jacksonville, North Carolina Government Facebook page:

“The Montford Pointers faced discrimination at Montford Point from their commanding officers and outside the base gates. They arrived at Montford Point to an unwilling and unwelcoming Marine Corps which initially paired them up with white training officers. Accounts from original Montford Point Marines recall extremely primitive living conditions on the base, they did not have barracks but they lived in cardboard huts that were painted green. They also remember strict segregation rules at Montford Point; where they were forbidden to enter Camp LeJeune without a white Marine accompanying them; they could not cross the railroad tracks into Jacksonville. Despite these challenges, the Montford Pointers rose to the occasion and trained harder than their white counterparts, serving as ammunition carriers and then frontline fighters.

In 2012, The Montford Pointers were first recognized when those known to have served were awarded with a Congressional Gold Medal for their honor, courage and commitment. Since then the search for these brave men and/or their families has continued in order to bestow upon them the honor they are due.

On August 25, 2023 my grandfather was recognized and honored for his service. Our family gathered in Camp Lejeune, NC to witness him receive a Congressional Gold Medal. At 95 years old, he was one of few still alive to receive the honor.

Note: Everything written above has been sitting in my drafts for over a year. I wanted to tell the world about my grandfather and the Montford Point Marines but life happened….and there it lingered not quite ready to be published…

On August 29, 2024, at the age of 96, my grandfather, Alfonzo “Jazz” Jones, passed away. And the world still needs to know…

Jazz

They called him Jazz

A Semper Fi recruit, Alabama born and bred

One of the few and proud

Breaking barriers and surviving so others could thrive

But jazz was more than the complex chords he enjoyed

It was the way he moved, quiet and steady

It was the way he smiled, the rhythm of his laugh

It was his style, clean and classic

It was the love in the dishes he prepared and sweet treats he shared

It was his westerns appreciation and pop culture hipness,

Yes he was Jazz with a groove all his own 

He was Husband, Dad, Grandad, Great-Grandpa also known as GGP

He was Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend

A soulful harmony that will echo in our hearts forever

Grandaddy, you are loved and honored. Until we meet again…