What is the 52nd Defense Battalion?
- An African American U.S. Marine Corps
- Worked in coastal defense of different bases in the Pacific during World War II.
- One of the first African American battalion to serve in the Marines since the Revolutionary War (1775-83)
- Planned to be a composite unit, but became a typical defense battalion
- Colonel Augustus W. Cockrell organized the battalion
- Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Earnshaw was from Kansas and graduated from the Naval Academy
- He took over the 52d Defense Battalion after Cockrell
Formed on December 15, 1943.
Over 200 men transferred from the 51st Defense Battalion to the 52nd
Famous People in the Battalion
- Sergeant Major Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson was one of the first African-Americans to enlist in the Marine Corps
- He personally led 25 combat patrols
- Montford Point changed to Camp Gilbert H. Jonshon to honor him
Where are they stationed?
- Montford Point, now known as Camp Gilbert H. Johnson
- Part of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune complex in Jacksonville, North Carolina
52nd Defense Battalion
Kaitlin Green & Tandra Allen