Gilbert Johnson
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| Gilbert Johnson | |
|---|---|
| 1905–1972 | |
 |
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| Nickname | Hashmark |
| Place of birth | Mount Hebron, Alabama |
| Place of death | Jacksonville, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | US Army USMC |
| Years of service | 1923–1955 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
SgtMaj Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson (October 30, 1905 – August 5, 1972) was one of the first African Americans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Born in rural Mount Hebron, Alabama, Johnson attended Stillman College in 1922, aspiring to become a minister. He left college the following year, however, and joined the US Army. At the end of his enlistment in October 1929, Johnson was discharged as a corporal. After four years of civilian life, he decided to try the US Navy. Johnson was accepted into the Steward's Branch, the only job available to blacks at that time, and he served for nearly 10 years.
Johnson served aboard the USS Wyoming during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.[1] The following year, Johnson requested transfer from the US Navy to the United States Marine Corps. He went on to serve the last 17 years of his 32-year military career in the Marine Corps. He earned his nickname because during his initial Marine Corps training at Montford Point he wore three service stripes (hashmarks) on the sleeve of his uniform, indicating his previous enlistments in the army and navy.[2]
In 1943, Johnson was among the first black men to be trained as Marine drill instructors. In May 1943, at Montford Point, he replaced drill instructor First Sergeant Robert W. Colwell. As a member of the 52d Defense Battalion on Guam in World War II, Johnson asked that black Marines be assigned to combat patrols from which they were then exempt. Once approved, he personally led 25 combat patrols.
Edgar Huff, the only other black sergeant major besides Johnson to serve during World War II, was Johnson's brother-in-law.[1] They were married to twin sisters.[3]
Two years after Johnson's death from a heart attack, the Montford Point facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was renamed Camp Gilbert H. Johnson, the first military installation to be named after an African-American.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Breakthrough: Hashmark Johnson's iron leadership helped Marine Corps eliminate segregation by Sean Fitzpatrick, originally published in Pass in Review, February 1999
- ^ Remembering the Montford Point Marines by John McCaa
- ^ NPS.gov The Right to Fight: African-American Marines in World War II by Bernard C. Nalty
[edit] External link
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Johnson, Gilbert |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Johnson, Gilbert "Hashmark"; Hashmark |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Early black in United States Marine Corps |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 30, 1905 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Mount Hebron, Alabama |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 5, 1972 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Jacksonville, North Carolina |
