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African American in Military

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Submitted By mdih11
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Abstract The United States Marine Corps is placed above all other military institutions in the United States of America. It was first formed because of a need that arose during the war for independence. It was coordinated by the Navy. It gained reputation during the Second World War. The war brought out the best the Marine Corps had to offer in terms of labor, strategy and organisation. The Marine Corps’ history in all its entirety cannot be recounted without including the role of the African American Marines who despite the odds survived and played a befitting role in the creation of the icon that the Marine Corps is today. As one of those men to benefit from this history it is my duty to inform as many as possible, that it is never forgotten. This essay paper will concern itself with the men who crossed the great divide in racial relations by joining the United States Marine Corps.

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS The United States is a country that is noted for its adherence to the democratic system of government. This system preaches equality of every man and woman under the law. This was the case until the need for labor caused the United States to traffic humans as slaves. These people were mainly Negroes who had been carried from their ancestral homes to serve white masters. Thus, the Negro even after slave trade was abolished still had the status of a slave in the only home he knew. How could they then aspire to be members of the elite fighting force of the country? The first African American to join the United States marine according to records was a slave, John Martin also known as “keto” who was recruited without his master’s consent. He was recruited by the Continental Marines, a progenitor of the present Marine Corps during the American Revolution in April 1776. He served on the brig, Reprisal until she

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