About Us


Welcome to the

Black Marines Heritage Group 


The purpose of this organization is to celebrate, retain and pass on the legacy, history and contributions that Black Marines have made to the United States Marine Corps' growth and success since 1942.

We have an obligation to ensure that this country, and particularly the Black Marines currently  serving and all those who will serve in the future, understand our beginnings.

We believe that it is our responsibility and duty to inform those Marines of our legacy.

This organization was founded by six Marines in the year 2002 after gathering to pay our respect upon the passing of one of our own, Master Sergeant Floyd Delano Rouse.

It is ironic that we established an organization to preserve the history of Black Marines when the person that we were honoring was himself a historian.  Master Sergeant Floyd D. Rouse was a member of “The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation” and served as one of its Aviation Historians!
 

Over the years, many Black Marines would only see each other or get together for funerals of our fallen comrades, and rarely had mutual gatherings for happier times.

After attending Retired MSGT Floyd D. Rouses’ funeral, in California in April 2002, we discussed the need to come together at a time other than mourning and decided that the time had in fact arrived and a plan must be implemented.  The Black Marine Reunion is the result of that plan.

Also we felt a need to document the contribution that we as Black Marines, have made to the United States Marine Corps.  As those of us who entered the Corps during and after Montford Point days well know, every achievement and accomplishment was hard fought and well earned!

When we decided to start this organization we didn’t know of any archives at Headquarters Marine Corps that documented in detail our service as Black Marines other than the service of the Montford Point Marines, who first broke the color barrier in 1942 at this segregated boot camp in North Carolina.


It was believed that recording had stopped Camp Montford Point was closed.  There were some references to our service in combat when we started in the Corps, but nothing on how far we have progressed.  Black Marines have since fought in every war, moved into every technical field, performed in all types of jobs and have distinguished themselves as true leaders at every level throughout the Marine Corps!  The previous Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, Virginia did not properly reflect what we as Black Marines have contributed.

The Montford Point Marines were the spearhead for the introduction of Blacks into the Marine Corps but we the “Post Montford Pointers” (1950 thru today), are the body that took up the 'colors' and led the advancement of Blacks throughout the Marine Corps. 


In 2011 Congress presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines in recognition for their service, in a ceremony held at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.  More than 20,000 African-American Marines trained at the segregated facility at Camp Montford Point on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene N.C. from 1942 to 1949.

We are documenting our contribution to the Marine Corps, “As we lived it!”

Another important reason for the Black Marine Reunion is to create a Network that will allow us to remain in contact with each other.  How many times have you wondered how to locate a fellow Marine from your past?  Through our Newsletter, Member Mailing List and the Black Marines Reunion Website, www.blackmarinereunion.com  you should be able to contact someone who may know the answer to that question.  You will also always be able to stay up to date with our agenda.

We recognize that there have been great changes in our Marine Corps and the change is visible everywhere in day to day operations, wherever Marines serve.  We now see many Black one star, two star and three star Generals, 'Bird' Colonels, Staff officers and senior enlisted Black Marines.  We've even watched a Black Marine go into space commanding the Space Shuttle!  Four of the most recent Sergeant’s Majors of the Marine Corps are Black Marines.  These changes occurred because of the “Service, Endurance and Perseverance of the early Black Marines. These Marine’s stories will help paint the full and complete picture of the United States Marine Corps.

We welcome all Marines to submit their personal stories of how Black Marines contributed to the success and legacy of 'Our' Marine Corps.


Thank you for your interest in the Black Marine Heritage Group. 


Join us at our upcoming Reunions and continue writing this wonderful story of our Marine Corps.

Semper Fi,



Bobby 'The Gator' Wallace


 










USMC (Retired)
Chairman