{"id":31685,"date":"2023-01-27T04:38:11","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T04:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/01\/27\/108-year-old-original-montford-point-marine-honored-for-his-service\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:59:12","slug":"108-year-old-original-montford-point-marine-honored-for-his-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/home\/middle-column\/2023\/01\/27\/108-year-old-original-montford-point-marine-honored-for-his-service\/","title":{"rendered":"108-year-old original Montford Point Marine honored for his service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For his 108th birthday, an original member of the Montford Point Marines \u2015 the group of the first Black troops to enlist in the Marine Corps \u2015 was recognized for his years of dedicated service across three military conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cosmas D. Eaglin Sr. of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was presented earlier in January with a certificate of appreciation and a challenge coin from the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, according to a statement from the department.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I learned of Mr. Eaglin and his service to our country, I found it truly admirable and an inspiration,\u201d retired Lt. General Walter E. Gaskin<\/a>, the secretary of the state military department, said in the news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs an original Montford Point Marine, he endured unimaginable obstacles in the segregated Marine Corps,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause he was a Marine, I am able to be a Marine. His contributions to the nation and the Marine Corps will be remembered and his legacy will live on for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t