R 262021Z JAN 21
MARADMIN 041/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2021 NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH//
REF/A/PUBLIC LAW 99-244/11FEB1986/NATIONAL BLACK (AFRO-AMERICAN) HISTORY MONTH//
REF/B/NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH/AFRICANAMERICANHISTORYMONTH.GOV//
REF/C/ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY/ASALH.ORG//
REF/D/MARADMIN 613/20//
REF/E/ ALMAR 023/20//
POC/T. M. VELAZQUEZ/CIV/UNIT: MRA (MPE)/TEL: COM (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN (278)/EMAIL: THERESA.VELAZQUEZ@USMC.MIL//
POC/K. D. DUNN/CIV/UNIT: MRA (MPE)/TEL: COM (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN (278)/EMAIL: KENNETH.DUNN@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Since proclaimed by Public Law 99-244 in 1986, February is observed as “National African American History Month.” During this month, we take the opportunity to honor all African Americans and to acknowledge their ongoing contributions to the success and development of our Nation. The 2021 observance theme is: “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.”
2. Major General J. Gary Cooper (b.1936) was born to a successful, service-minded American family in Mobile, Alabama. A 1958 graduate of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, Cooper joined the Marine Corps and became an infantry officer. Already noted as the first African American Marine officer to command a detachment aboard a naval ship, in 1966, Captain Cooper was poised to serve as the Marine Corps’ only black infantry officer in Vietnam when he was assigned as a supply officer. Determined to command a rifle company in First Marine Division, the young officer took the risk to request mast. Subsequently, Cooper became the first African American to take command of a Marine Corps rifle company. Completing his active duty service in 1970, he pursued his family’s business while maintaining his reserve commission. In 1973, he was elected to the Alabama legislature and later became Commissioner of the Alabama State Department of Human Resources. After a few years of executive corporate experience, Cooper returned to active duty in 1988, when he was promoted to Major General to serve as Director of Personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps. Upon his Marine Corps retirement in 1989, he was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) where he contributed to the planning of the Gulf War. In 1994, President Bill Clinton put him forward as the first African American to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica.
3. On 10 November 1945, Frederick C. Branch (1922-2005) was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve after serving in WWII as one of the more than 20,000 Montford Point Marines. Upon his commissioning, 2ndLt Branch received the distinction as the first African American commissioned officer in the Marine Corps. Today, the Marine Corps offers the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship in his honor. This Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship is awarded to selected midshipmen attending one of the 17 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that host NROTC on their campuses. Sixty-eight scholarships are offered each year.
4. To learn more about the Marine Corps’ African American legacy, Medal of Honor recipients, and U.S. military history, visit the Library of the Marine Corps (grc-usmcu.libguides.com/library-of-the-marine-corps) or select a book from the Commandant’s Professional Reading list (grc-usmcu.libguides.com/usmc-reading-list). To learn more about the life and military service of Gary Cooper, read, “Ten Stars: The African American Journey of Gary Cooper – Marine General, Diplomat, Businessman, and Politician,” (2016) by Kendal Weaver.
5. During this observance month, commanders are encouraged to recognize and celebrate the invaluable service and selfless contributions of African Americans - military, veteran, and civilian to our country and Corps. Commanders are further encouraged to conduct online programs and to promote remote participation in observance events within their commands and across their local communities where onsite activities are not feasible during COVID-19 restrictions.
6. Release authorized by BGen J. G. Woodworth, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//