Edgar Huff
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| Edgar R. Huff | |
|---|---|
| 1920—1994 | |
 Sergeant Major Edgar R. Huff, USMC |
|
| Place of birth | Gadsden, Alabama |
| Place of death | Camp Lejeune, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 1942-1972 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Bronze Star (2) Purple Heart (3) |
SgtMaj Edgar R. Huff (1920—May 2, 1994) was the first African-American in the United States Marine Corps to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.
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[edit] Marine Corps service
Huff, a native of Gadsden, Alabama, enlisted in the Marine Corps on 24 September 1942 — and was one of the first African-Americans to enlist in the Marine Corps. Huff received his recruit training with the 51st Composite Defense Battalion, Montford Point Camp, New River, North Carolina. Following graduation, he joined the 155mm gun battery of the 51st Composite Defense Battalion and served with that unit as a gun commander.
In early 1943, he was assigned duty under instruction at drill instructors school, and upon completion of his course, was assigned duty as a drill instructor in March 1943. At that time, Montford Point Camp was the receiving point for all blacks entering the Marine Corps, and by November 1944, SgtMaj Huff had been assigned duty as field sergeant major of all recruit training at the Montford Point Camp.
In November 1944, he was promoted to first sergeant and assigned duty with the 5th Depot Company, departing for the Western Pacific area, serving as 1stSgt with this unit on Saipan, Okinawa, and in North China. The 5th Depot Company furnished logistic support for Marine divisions in that area.
Following World War II, he served as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruit Training at Montford Point Camp until May 1949. He was then assigned duty as guard and infantry chief, Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot, Earle, New Jersey, until May 1951, at which time he assumed duty with the famed U.S. 1st Marine Division in Korea. There, he saw combat as a company gunnery sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, and participated in operations in the "Punch Bowl" area, eastern front, and in the spring-summer offensive on the West Central front.
Upon his return to the United States in August 1952, he was assigned to the U.S. 2nd Marine Division, serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. In March 1955, he was assigned duty as Guard Chief, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Fort Lyautey, French Morocco.
Huff was promoted to first sergeant in the new rank structure on 30 December 1955, and to the rank of sergeant major a day later on 31 December 1955. Since that date he served as Sergeant Major consecutively, at the following Marine Corps installations: Post Sergeant Major, Marine Barracks, Port Lyautey, French Morocco; with the 2nd Force Service Regiment; Landing Force Training Unit, Little Creek, Virginia; the 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Okinawa; the 3rd Force Service Regiment; the 1st Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Geiger, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Base Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California; the 1st Military Police Battalion, Force Logistic Command and with the III Marine Amphibious Force, Republic of Vietnam (May 1967 - June 1968); and with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (July 1968 - October 1970).
SgtMaj Huff served a second tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam, as Sergeant Major with the III Marine Amphibious Force from October 1970 until October 1971. He then served as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina, until his retirement on 30 September 1972.
Huff died on 2 May 1994 at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital.
[edit] Decorations
SgtMaj Huff's personal decorations include three Purple Hearts, three Navy Commendation Medals, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat "V", the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Sergeant Major Edgar R. Huff, USMC. Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
[edit] External links
- Sergeant Major Edgar R. Duff, USMC. Marine Corps Legacy Museum. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
- Rudi Williams (August 1998). Gravely, Huff Widow Witness Exhibit Debut. DefenseLINK News. American Forces Press Service. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
- Bernard C. Nalty (1995). The Right to Fight:African American Marines in World War II. Marines in World War II Commemorative Series, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
- Morris J. MacGregor, Jr. (May 1, 2001). Chapter 18: Integration of the Marine Corps. Integration of the Armed Forces 1940-1965. Center of Military History, U.S. Army. Retrieved on 2006-10-23.
