Montford Point Marines get Gold Medal

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A group of black Marines from World War 2 was honored in Grand Rapids Wednesday with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States.

Sen. Carl Levin was among the dignitaries at the ceremony to honor Reuben Smartt, Bobby Jones, David King and Fred Johnson Sr.

The four were members of the Montford Point Marines , the first African American segregated boot camp operated by the Marine Corps between 1942-49.

In November 2011, President Obama signed legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 20,000 Montford Point Marines. At the time, the president said, "Despite being denied many basic rights, the Montford Point Marines committed to serve our country with selfless patriotism."

An awards ceremony was held in Washington in late June , but Smartt and Jones could not attend. However, they were at the Grand Rapids ceremony along with the surviving family members of King and Johnson.

During World War 2, more than 13,000 Montford Point Marines served overseas.

Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he wants to see troops continuing to be brought home from Afghanistan despite efforts from military officials who desire to slow the withdrawal.