News & Events
POLITICO
Preserving black Marines' history
The Semper Fidelis is a quarterly publication design solely for the purpose to inform and keep retired Marines, their family members, and annuitants abreast of their rights, benefits, and privileges.
Read more: Times-Georgian - One of nation s first black Marines answered the call when a barrier was removed
Resolution by Atlanta City Councilmember Aaron Watson calls on the
U.S. Congress to bestow The Congressional Gold Medal on the surviving members of the Montford Point Marines
Click on imaage to read full document
Atlanta Chapter hosted its second Annual Awards Banquet
At the Hyatt Regency Atlanta
MPMA 2009 National Scholarship recipient excel’s in
education and sports endeavors
Erik Gaylorn
An Atlanta, GA native and game winning baseball player for Darton College, Albany GA, Erik Gaylorn had a huge day Tuesday in the Cavs' win against No. 3 Chipola, blasting four hits, the biggest of which gave Darton College the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh.
Updated: 7:31 AM Feb 24, 2010
Montford Point Marines honored in Indiana
21 February 2010, a banquet to honor the Montford Point Marines was held at the Horseshoe Casino Hammond Indiana. The Banquet was deemed to be a true highlight in the recognition of African American Marines whom from 1942 - 1949 were trained at the then named Camp Montford Point located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, which is currently named After an Original Montford Pointer Hash Mark Johnson (Camp) Johnson. The event also hosted a myriad of dignitaries and special guest as well as various MPMA Chapter representatives. During the Banquet General Peterson was the guest Speaker and present a rousing speech.
Mr. Glenn Sykes, MPMA Atlanta Chapter President Linda Sykes and Retired General Peterson in photo abovel.
The Goergia Legionnaire News Article
Featured is Atlanta Chapter Montford Point Marine - Master Sergeant John Hill. Whom is also the Detachment Adjutant for the state of Georgia.
Click on image to EnFriday, 9/09/11
Atlanta Chapter 5 members were recently invited and attended the Ross Report - Awards Banquet, where the local Buffalo Soldier Cavalry received and award for their outstanding community service.
Photo: Derrick, Bruce, MPMA Chapter president Mrs. Linda Sykes and Mr. Glenn Sykes (6 December 2009)
To learn more about the Buffalo Soldier Calvary Click on the image.
Taps Announcement
Mr. Richard Samuel Davis Sr.
Sunrise: April 27, 1937
Sunset: November 13, 2009
A life member of the Atlanta Chapter, it is with great sadness to announce the passing of Mr. Davis, his contributions to his family and the Montford Point Marine Association, will be missed by all.
Atlanta Chapter held its first Awards Banquet
Wow, what an evening. Our first annual "Preserving the Legacy" Banquet and Awards Ceremony was a success. During the event The Chapter 5 President Mrs. Linda Sykes and chapter members were approached by many supporters complimenting on a great event. As the event drew to close, good news traveled fast - a call was received the next day from Brigadier General Ronald L. Bailey, Commanding General MCRD San Diego, CA. General Bailey called to congratulate the Atlanta Chapter on a successful event. The Chapter president further stated that they (Chapter five) gained three new members over night and we have more committed to joining this week from Colonels to the young Sergeant that participated in the "I AM". This is what it is about, gaining exposure through educating others about our Heroes. 1stSgt Calhoun of Bravo Company, 4th Recon Battalion requested MPMA representatives conduct PME classes to their Marines on Montford Point Marines. Our partners from the Tuskegee Airman, Buffalo Soldiers and Marine Corps League are looking forward to working with us moving forward.
To view images from the event click here. (Awards Banquet) Lieutenant General Ronald S. Coleman Deputy Commander for Manpower and Reserve Affairs was the guest speaker
Recent Event
Greetings,
I hope you are having a productive week. We have a special project that we are participating in next Saturday, April 18th. We will caravan to Macon, Georgia to participate in the clean up of the grave site of a Marine Hero, Sergeant Rodney Davis and other military heroes. Sgt Davis was one of five African American Marines awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. We will be joined by MPMA Chapter members from Warner Robbins/Macon and Albany. We will also be joined by members and Marines from the Marine Corps League, 4th Recon and Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Reserve Center in Marietta.
Please respond to this email and let me know if we can count on you to help take care of a Marine that made the ultimate Friday, 9/09/11ong>We estimate it will take most of the day to accomplish this task. Logistical details will follow in an email to be sent within the next few days.
Below is a glimpse at Sgt Davis’s history.
Rodney Maxwell Davis |
April 7, 1942(1942-04-07) – September 6, 1967 (aged 25) |
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Rodney Maxwell Davis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in his hometown, August 31, 1961; then reported for recruit training with the First Recruit Training Battalion Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training in December 1961, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and underwent Individual Combat Training with the Second Battalion, First Infantry Training Regiment, graduating the following February.
He then joined Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, at Camp Lejeune and served as a rifleman until May 1964. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to Private First Class, April 1, 1962, and to Lance Corporal, January 1, 1964.
Lance Corporal Davis was ordered to London, England, for a three year tour of duty as Guard with the United States Marine Detachment, Naval Activities. He was promoted to Corporal, January 1, 1966, and to Sergeant, December 1, 1966.
Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967, he was assigned duty as a Platoon Guide with Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. On September 6, 1967, he was operating with his unit in the Quang Nam Province on a search and clear mission during Operation Swift, when they were attacked by a large North Vietnamese force. Elements of the platoon were pinned down in a trench line by mortars, heavy automatic and small arms fire. He went from man to man encouraging them on and also returning fire at the same time. An enemy hand grenade fell in the trenches his men were fighting from and without hesitation he threw himself upon the grenade. He saved his fellow Marines in this selfless act and thus earned the nation's highest military decoration: the Medal of Honor.
We want to share with you and all the senior leadership in our Association, information about the magnificent job our Senior Regional Vice President; James Averhart did on February 26th. Atlanta Chapter 5 in coordination with the Atlanta VA Health Eligibility Center’s Public Affairs Officer, Ernest Lyons Jr. (US Army retired) had the opportunity to present the Montford Point Marine’s story to about 75 VA employees. The presentation was part of their Black History Program. The Senior Regional Vice President, James Averhart was the guess speaker. He represented the Association and our Original Montford Point Marines in an exemplary manner. We had three local Original Montford Point Marines present for this event. James presented the Original Montford Point Marines with Certificates of Commendation. They were elated and appreciative of the acknowledgement. James was surprised with a gift of appreciation from the Public Affairs Deputy Director and Public Affairs Officer on behalf of the VA Health Eligibility Center employees.
A special thanks to our neighboring chapter from Macon/Warner Robins for joining us for this event. “Working together Works”, “One Team, One Fight” can all be used to describe our efforts to ensure the Montford Point legacy is preserved and known in the Southern Region.
Thanks James for your support and we hope you enjoyed the Peach State's southern hospitality during your visit to Albany, Atlanta and Macon, GA.
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Copyright © 2009 MPMA Atlanta, GA
Last modified:
Friday, 9/09/11
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