ST. LOUIS: WILLIAM E. WASHINGTON

12/20/2007

William E. Washington, one of the first African-Americans to serve in the Marine Corps, died Monday (Dec. 17, 2007) of a stroke at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He was 82 and a resident of University City.

In the summer of 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order declaring that men, regardless of color, were to be inducted into the Marines. Mr. Washington was among the first blacks to join.

Even once they were inducted, black Marines faced indignities. They were not allowed to achieve officer status and were segregated at Montford Point, N.C., adjacent to Camp Lejeune.

Mr. Washington, along with his fellow Montford Pointers, were trained in combat and supply. The majority of black Marines were assigned to load supplies or run ammunition to the front.

In an interview a few years ago with the Post-Dispatch, Mr. Washington expressed no hard feelings about Montford Point. "We knew we were on trial, making history," he said. "Yes, it was something else — not being allowed to be the full person you are. But blacks back then — we just didn't want to fail. I'm just proud to be a part of history — black history."

After a liberty weekend in Wilmington, N.C., under the conditions of the old South, Mr. Washington asked for a transfer to the Pacific. He ended up in Guam to serve out the remainder of his tour.

In the early 1950s, Mr. Washington worked various jobs in St. Louis, eventually retiring from General Motors after 25 years.

In his later years, Mr. Washington was active with the Montford Point Marine Association. The organization has more than 30 chapters across the nation.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. at Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, 4673 Labadie Avenue. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Among the survivors are two sons, Chinelo Bandele of St. Louis and Robert Reavling of Jamestown, Mo.; two daughters, Gwendolyn Beasley of St. Louis and Jacqueline Turner of St. Louis; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.

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