INKSTER, Mich. – One of the last remaining Black World War II Marine veterans and a lifelong Inkster resident has died. He was 101 years old.
Butler Martin, a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by President Barack Obama and the 112th U.S. Congress, was one of the first 20,000 Black U.S. Marines inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps between 1942 and 1949 at a segregated training facility at Montford Point in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
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The group of 20,000 Marines broke a 167-year “color barrier” that denied men of color to join its ranks in 1942. They became one of the first Marines to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. The group, despite enduring racism in Montford Point, worked to dismantle Jim Crowism and changed race relations in America.
Martin celebrated his 101st birthday earlier this year and was recognized as the guest of honor by the City of Southfield during its annual Memorial Day ceremony.
On June 23, 2024, Martin was also a guest of honor at the Annual Montford Point Marines National Heritage Military Banquet & Awards Ceremony. There, he received the organization’s Presidential Centenarian Award.
Martin’s celebration of life is open to the public at Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, located at 1139 Inkster Road in Garden City. Viewing hours are from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. Homegoing service will be at 1 p.m. on Oct. 12.
Martin is scheduled to be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly on Oct. 15.
