PRINCETON: Princeton native wins Congressional Gold Medal

By Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer
   A Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States, was awarded to Wallace Holland and the Montford Point Marines on Wednesday, June 27, in recognition of their service with the first branch of African Americans to serve in the Marines.
   Mr. Holland, 86, was born and raised in Princeton and is currently living in Lawrenceville. He enlisted in the Marines in 1943 and served for four years. He served with the Montford Point Marines during both World War II and the Korean War.
   The Montford Point Marines was a segregated branch of the Marine Corps at Montford Point Camp in New River, N.C., where the first African Americans enlisted in the Marines. It was in existence from 1942-1949.
   ”When they awarded me the medal I felt that they had finally realized what the Montford Point Marines contributed to the war,” said Mr. Holland. “By awarding us the medal they showed appreciation for what we had gone through with the disadvantages of being segregated.”
   ”Something the newer generations may not understand is that it was a very difficult time for African Americans,” said Mr. Holland’s stepson, Larry Irving, who also grew up in Princeton and currently lives in Indiana. “Those who enlisted had to overcome segregation.”
   After serving as an African American Marine, Mr. Holland said he and many others in the Montford Point Marines, felt disappointed about not getting the recognition that they felt they deserved for serving their country while simultaneously dealing with discrimination.
   ”It was degrading,” said Mr. Holland in reference to being a member of a segregated branch of the Marines. “We weren’t treated as well as the other white branches. We had different assignments and traveled to separate places by different modes of transportation. We felt left out”
   Even after facing discrimination and fighting in both World War II and the Korean War, Mr. Holland said he found some positives in his military experience.
   ”My greatest memory is traveling and seeing all different islands during the Korean War,” he said. “If it hadn’t been for the war, I wouldn’t have been able to see all those wonderful places.”
   According to Mr. Holland, he and those who served with the Montford Point Marines were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for serving their country in a difficult time.
   Mr. Irving said that there were two award ceremonies for the medal. One ceremony was held on June 27 in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol and the other was held on June 28 at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C.
   During the June 27 ceremony, the entire branch of the Montford Point Marines that served from 1942-1949 was awarded the Gold Medal as a unit.
   During the June 28 ceremony, each individual member who served with the Montford Point Marines during that time was recognized and given a bronze replica of the one gold medal that was awarded to the entire branch.
   Mr. Irving said he thought the one gold medal would be displayed somewhere for the public to see, which will probably be a Marine Corps museum.
   According to Mr. Irving, the government attempted to contact around 19,000 people who trained with the Montford Point Marines from 1942-1949 to award them medals. Mr. Irving said around 400 members were able to attend the ceremonies and receive the medal.
   ”My dad was excited when he heard the ceremonies were going to occur because he was looking forward to connecting with people he trained with again,” said Mr. Irving.
   ”I felt very proud about the whole thing,” said Mr. Holland.
   Mr. Holland said both of the ceremonies were very distinguished and several members of Congress attended.He also said that he was glad that his three sons could attend the ceremonies with him.
   Mr. Irving said he was also happy to see his stepfather and was very proud of his accomplishments because his stepfather is alert and full of energy, even at 86.
   ”I’m really proud of (my stepfather) and the Marines because they never looked to receive this honor,” said Mr. Irving. “It was awarded to them by people who appreciated what they did.”