HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — A Long Island Marine veteran received a dress blues uniform seven decades later.
Vincent Long, 91, says he was denied the uniform because of segregation. Now he’s finally received the recognition for his service that he deserves.
The Marine was shocked to discover that he’d made the local newspaper.
“When I opened it, I was surprised. It was shocking,” Long said. He continued explaining, “At that time, the prejudice and Jim Crow stuff was very heavy, and the Marine camp was down in the deep south.”
Long was part of the Montfort Point Marines, seeing action in the South Pacific where they helped liberate islands from the Japanese.
The Marine earned several medals and was awarded an honorable discharge, but received no blues.
“What was told to us: Only a corporal and up would get the blues,” he said.
The Honor Flight was pleased to donate the blues to Long.
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I didn’t get Dress Blues when graduating from Boot Camp either.
Oh wait! Dress Blues weren’t an issued item until the 1980’s.
More fake news with an ax to grind.
This man received a beautiful gift from an organization. He believes he didn’t get them to segregation. We covered that it was a rank issue back then…. have a good day.
And yet the headline makes it appear the reason was racist. Instead of the story being about the good news this Devil Dog got his Blues, all most folks will see is SEGREFATION. Good reporting.