{"id":43733,"date":"2021-11-01T03:06:17","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T03:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/11\/01\/mississippi-marine-veteran-posthumously-awarded-congressional-medal\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:49:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:49:20","slug":"mississippi-marine-veteran-posthumously-awarded-congressional-medal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/veterans\/2021\/11\/01\/mississippi-marine-veteran-posthumously-awarded-congressional-medal\/","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Marine veteran posthumously awarded congressional medal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The family of a World War II veteran from Mississippi who was among the first Black men to enlist<\/a> in the U.S. Marine Corps received the Congressional Gold Medal<\/a> in honor of his service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, a Republican who represents a northeastern Mississippi-based district, presented the medal to relatives of Embra Jackson Sr. during a Saturday ceremony at a Tupelo, Mississippi, church. The medal is one of the nation\u2019s highest civilian awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Jackson was a true hero,\u201d Kelly said in a statement. \u201cHe had a love for America that compelled him to leave the only life he had ever known without any assurances that he would return. Mr. Jackson\u2019s great patriotism will always be remembered, as will the service of his fellow Montford Point Marines<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t