MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- The McCutcheon Memorial Chapel held a ceremony honoring Gunnery Sgt.
Glen J. White with a plaque for his many years of service to his country
and chapel at Marine Corps Air Station New River, Sept. 25.
White served 27 years in the Marine Corps and was in three wars World
War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After his service he became
an usher at the McCutcheon Memorial Chapel and served it for over 40
years. White served the chapel until his death in Jan. 29, 2011, and
then he posthumously received the Congressional Gold Medal March 23,
2013 for his role in integrating the Marine Corps and nation as a
Montford Point Marine. Now a plaque is put up in his honor in memory of
his accomplishments and what he’s done for not only African Americans,
but for all the Marines that came after him.
White was drafted into the Marine Corps July 30, 1945 and attended a
segregated boot camp established for African Americans during World War
II; the camp trained about 20,000 men.
“He was one of the first African Americans to come in the Marine Corps,
and we’re honoring him for the many years of his service that he’s not
only dedicated to the Corps, but to the country and to this
congregation.” said Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, deputy commandant for
plans, policy and operations at Headquarters Marine Corps.
White selflessly served his country for many years and never asked for much in return.
“I think it’s difficult to go to war for a country that does want you,
but how one takes a bullet for a country that does not want you is
difficult to understand, but I certainly respect it,” said Gina Francis,
daughter of White. “I think that what he and the Montford Point Marines
were trying to say was we’re Americans too, and I think he would want
to be remembered as just a good American and a good Marine.”
Now a plaque hangs in the same chapel that he served for remembrance of
his devotion to country and to the McCutcheon Memorial Chapel.
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