U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler, right,

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler, right, the deputy commandant for programs and resources, stands for a photo with an original Montford Point Marine, the first African-Americans allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps, during a reception honoring these veterans June 26, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va. Marines who served at Montford Point, a North Carolina training facility that operated from 1942 to 1949, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress, during a June 27 ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas DeMelo/Released)