Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Maurice Smith, Marine Raider Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, accepted the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of his father, retired Marine Corps Cpl. James A. Edwards, during the 13th Annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2022. The annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony honors the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps and recognizes their accomplishments, sacrifices and dedication to our country.

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Keywords: acmc, camp, lejeune, mcb, mcieast, montford, point, secdef, veterans