Marine Master Sgt. George Albert Jackson will Posthumously Receive the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Helena Place Senior Living

Retired Marine Master Sgt. George Albert Jackson will posthumously receive the Congressional Gold Medal on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. at Helena Place Senior Living in Port Royal. His widow, Ella J. Jackson, will accept the award for her late husband. The late Master Sgt. Jackson is receiving the honor for being a Montford Point Marine. The Montford Point Marines were among the first African Americans in the United States Marine Corps who overcame racial prejudice to serve in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, paving the way for full racial integration of the U.S. Marine Corps. He volunteered to enter the Marine Corps on June 22, 1942.

In 1942, Montford Point Camp was established as the World War II recruit training site for all African American Marines. At its height, approximately 20,000 Marines walked through the camp’s gate to attend recruit training. It wasn’t until 1949 that President Harry Truman issued executive order 9981, which effectively ended segregation in the military. Master Sgt. Jackson retired on March 31, 1969. Following his service, Master Sgt. Jackson became a founding member of the Montford Point Marine Association, Inc., Beaufort chapter and sat as vice president in 1973. The Montford Point Marine Association, Inc., a non-profit veteran organization, was founded in 1965 to memorialize the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is awarded to persons who have performed achievements that have had an impact on American history that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement. It is not to be confused with the Medal of Honor, which is the nation’s highest military honor.

The late retired Master Sgt. Jackson served in the U.S. Army prior to joining the Marine Corps. He served in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. A native of Long Island, NY, he died on July 18, 1987 and is interred at Beaufort National Cemetery. In addition to his widow Ella, age 93, several other family members and members of the Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. will attend the ceremony.

A buffet luncheon will follow the award presentation at Helena Place Senior Living, 1624 Paris Ave., Port Royal, SC 29935. The public is invited to attend this prestigious awards ceremony and reception. Please call (843) 252-3001 or e-mail rewing@enlivant.com with questions.

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Rose Ewing │ Community Relations Manager, Helena Place

rewing@enlivant.com │O: 843-982-0233| F: 843-982-0240| M: 843-252-3001

1624 Paris Avenue, Port Royal, SC 29935|www.enlivant.com