Welcome to the
Black Marine’s Reunion

The purpose of this organization is to retain, pass on the legacy and celebrate the history and contribution that Black Marines have made to the Marine Corps growth and success since 1942.

We have an obligation to ensure that this country and particularly the Black Marines who are serving and will serve later understand their beginning. We believe that it is our responsibility and duty to inform those Marines of our legacy.

This organization was founded by six Marines in the year 2002 after gathering to pay respect to one of our own, Master Sergeant Floyd Delano Rouse.

It is ironic that we established an organization to preserve the history of Black Marines when the person that we were showing respect for was himself a historian. Master Sergeant Floyd D. Rouse was a member of “The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation” and served as one of its Aviation Historian!

Over the years generally the only time Black Marines would see each other or get together for a happy occasion would be at funerals for fallen comrades.

After attending Retired MSGT Floyd D. Rouses’ funeral, in California the month of April 2002, we discussed the need to come together at a time other than to pay respect to a fallen brother/sister had arrived and must be implemented.

Also we felt a need to document the contribution that we as Black Marines, have made to the Marine Corps. As those of us who entered the Corps after the desegregation of the Marine Corps 1950 and beyond know it wasn't easy to achieve our accomplishments!

We don't know of any archives at Headquarters Marine Corps which documents in detail our service as Black Marines other than the service of the Montford Point Marines.

It appears that recording had stopped after the Montford Pointers! There are some references to our service in combat but not how we have progressed in the technical job descriptions and leadership rolls throughout the Marine Corps! The current Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, Virginia dose not properly reflects what we as Black Marines have contributed.

The Montford Point Marines are the spearhead for the introduction of Blacks to the Marine Corps but we the “Post Montford Pointers” (1950 thru today), are the body that led the advancement of Blacks in the Marine Corps.

We will begin the documenting of our contribution to the Marine Corps, “As we lived it!”

Another reason for these reunions is to create a Network so that we can remain in contact with each other. How many times have you wondered where a fellow Marine is today? With a Mailing List and the Black Marine Reunion Website you will be able to contact someone who may know the answer to the question.

We know that there has been a great change in the Marine Corps because we see it in its everyday operation. We now have Generals, Colonels, Staff officers and the last three Sergeant’s Majors of the Marine Corps are Black Marines. The changes occurred because of the “Service, Endurance and Perseverance of the early Black Marines. These Marine’s stories will help paint the whole picture of the Marine Corps.

Thank you for your interest in the Black Marine Reunion.

Join us at our Reunions in writing this wonderful story of our Marine Corps.

Semper Fi,
“The Gator”

Robert L. Wallace
USMC (Ret.)
Chairman