Marines of Montford Point Documentary to Air on UNC-TV, Nationally

Wilmington, N.C. - The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom, the largely untold story of the nation's first African-American Marines, will premiere on UNC-TV at 10 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25. In addition, the documentary, produced by the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has been picked up for national broadcast by 87 PBS and independent television stations across the U.S. in November.

Hosted and narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., The Marines of Montford Point profiles the first African-American recruits into the U.S. Marine Corps, beginning with their experiences at Montford Point Base, a segregated boot camp in the heart of the Jim Crow South. All-black battalions from Montford Point loyally served their country, some as officers, in three major conflicts-World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War-while fighting for their civil rights back home. In the film, Montford Point veterans recount the racism they faced both within and outside the military and reminisce about the rigors of basic training, the harsh conditions of the barracks and the perils of combat. The Marines of Montford Point offers a rare opportunity to learn about these unsung heroes of the "Greatest Generation."

Upcoming air dates:

• Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 at 10 p.m. on South Carolina Public Television

• Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007 at 10 p.m. on North Carolina Public Television (UNC-TV)

• After Nov. 1, 2007, PBS stations across the nation will air the documentary, many in conjunction with Veterans' Day programming. Check local listings.

The hour-long documentary was written and directed by Melton McLaurin, professor emeritus at UNC Wilmington, who has taught extensively on the South and race relations. His book, The Marines of Montford Point: America's First Black Marines (2007), is a companion piece to the documentary. McLaurin will discuss the book and film on UNC-TV's North Carolina Bookwatch, which will air at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23.

Dustin Miller, director of the UNCW Department of Media Production, served as the executive producer and editor of the film, which was shot and further edited by UNCW Television.

Media contacts:

Melton McLaurin, UNCW professor emeritus, 910.200-8821, or mclaurinm@uncw.edu

Dana Fischetti, manager of news and media services, UNC Wilmington, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu

Ellie