Potts remembers heading off to war on a Pacific transport where he and his fellow black Marines were relegated to sleeping bags on the decks because they weren't allowed in the ship living quarters.
Montfird Point Marines fought at Okinawa and other battles. Potts mainly served as a driver, hauling supplies to battle zones, a very dangerous job. "It was only for the pure of heart to serve then," Potts said. "You had to fight both the system and the Japanese."
Being home wasn't easy either. When Potts was heading back to North Carolina to continue training after a short leave, he boarded a bus full of military personnel. The driver wouldn't allow Potts to sit down and he had to stand for much of the long trip. Potts did say that a white sailor offered him his seat.
Just hard to believe that brave men and women willing to risk their lives for their country like that would be treated in such a manner. But, it was just part of the way things wree back then. Glad that has changed.
A Long Overdue Honor. A Salute for the Montford Point Marines!! --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
No comments:
Post a Comment