Montford Point (T-MLP-1)
2013–
Montford Point was named to honor the approximately 20,000 African-Americans who trained at Camp Montford Point in North Carolina from 1942-1949. After President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8821, African-Americans soon became eligible to be recruited into the Marine Corps and they trained at the segregated camp until President Truman issued an executive order ending segregation in the military. The camp at Montford Point was renamed Camp Johnson in 1974 to honor Sgt. Major Gilbert H. Johnson, one of the first African-American drill instructors at the facility. This is the first ship to bear the name.
(T-MLP-1: displacement 78,800; length 837'; beam 164’; speed 15 knots; complement 33 civilians; class Montford Point)
Montford Point (T-MLP-1) was laid down on 19 January 2012 at General Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard, San Diego, California; launched on 13 November 2012; christened on 2 March 2013; sponsored by Mrs. Alexis Bolden, wife of NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command on 14 May 2013.
Shield
Per pale Gules and Or, in dexter three bendlets and in sinister an escutcheon counter changed of the field, overall a pile reverse raguly Sable charged with the U.S. Marine Corps emblem of the second. Red and gold are the colors associated with the United States Marine Corps. The pile raguly has seven notches for the seven years that the first African-American recruits were trained at Montford Point (1942-1949) and is colored black to symbolize the determination of the recruits to serve their country. The eagle, globe and anchor emblem is the original design used during World War II. The three bendlets honor Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson, an exceptional recruit who served in three services during his military career (Army, Navy, Marine Corps) and are colored gold to denote wisdom. The red shield represents the Montford Point Marine Association, a group established to perpetuate the legacy of the first African-Americans who entered the Marine Corps.
Crest
Issuing from a torse Or and Gules, a sea stallion leaning on a trident Argent, having suspended from his neck by a chain Argent an escutcheon Sable charged with a label Argent within a bordure Gules. Montford Point will be a work horse at sea and is represented by a sea stallion. The shield hanging around his neck is colored black and red like the ship herself, and the white label denotes that this is the first ship in the MLP class. The label also represents Montford Point’s function as a "pier at sea." The trident is a symbol of authority and mastery at sea and is colored silver to symbolize excellence.
Supporters
Behind the shield two U.S. Marine Corps enlisted swords in saltire, points downward Proper. The crossed swords honor those enlisted marines who trained at Montford Point.
Motto
Red is the color signifying strength and boldness, reflective of the motto, "Strength, Solidarity, Sacrifice."
On 20 March Montford Point successfully completed her builder's sea trials at San Diego, Calif. Almost a month later, on 19 April 2013, she successfully completed her acceptance trials at San Diego, Calif. and on 14 May, the Navy accepted delivery of the ship from General Dynamics-NASSCO. On 12 July she departed San Diego for Naval Station Everett, Wash.
On 8 August 2015 Vice Adm. Hyun-Seong Um, commander, Republic of Korea Navy visited Montford Point and received a guided tour of the mobile landing platform that can serve as a floating base for amphibious operations and operate as a transfer point between large ships and small landing craft.
Detailed history pending.
C. Kevin Hurst
Christopher B. Havern Sr.
1 December 2015
