The Marines of Montford Point

“An important collection. . . . Opens our eyes to a new range of histories to be explored.” —Journal of Southern History

“A valuable contribution to our understanding of the black military experience in World War II.” —North Carolina Historical Review

“Beautifully collected interviews. . . . Anyone interested in any aspect of the civil rights struggle or the history of race relations in the U.S. must read this book. . . . Essential.” —CHOICE

“McLaurin adds invaluably to the literature on blacks in the military.”—Booklist

“A quick but inspirational read.”—Journal of America’s Military Past

“Eloquent, unedited stories.”—Our State

“Through their own words, we get the true picture of what life was like for these men . . . a gritty and harrowing account. . . . More than a history book . . . a rare treat.”—Independent Weekly, Durham, NC

“What emerges beyond question is that these veterans felt themselves to be Americans, and knew themselves to be men, long before they were acknowledged as Marines.”—Multicutural Review

“An important contribution to military and civil rights history. . . . [The Marines of Montford Point: America’s First Black Marines] is a set of excerpts [of interviews] which, in Studs Terkel fashion, create an oral history of this group of Marines.”—Durham Sunday Herald-Sun

“This wonderful collection of personal narratives captures not only the struggle but also the triumph of the Montford Point Marines’ quest to become part of our nation’s most elite fighting force, despite overwhelming odds. Their voices will be heard through this book, telling their poignant testimonies. I am truly honored to walk in their footsteps.”—Colonel Adele Hodges, USMC