The first African American in Marine Corps history to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.

The first African American in Marine Corps history to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major.

Born in Alabama in 1919, Huff joined the Corps in 1942, making him a member of the renowned Montford Point Marines.

After service in the Pacific Theater, Huff went on to serve as Gunnery Sergeant with the 1st Marine Division in Korea. He became the first Black Sergeant Major in the history of the US Marine Corps in 1955.

Huff later served two tours in Vietnam. During the Tet Offensive, Sergeant Major Huff was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat ‘‘V’’ for valor for saving the life of his radio operator.

Despite decades of enduring injustice and mistreatment due to his skin color, Huff would later remark:

“I never let any of these things make me prejudice right back. Especially in combat. Especially in Vietnam. I am the sergeant major. I take care of all my men, black and white.”

Following his second tour in Vietnam, Huff retired on September 30, 1972. Reflecting on his service, he said:

“When I retired, I had been Sergeant Major longer than anyone on duty at the time in all the services. I was the senior enlisted man in the whole United States Armed Forces.

I could look back to becoming the first black Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps…including Vietnam, when it was the largest marine force ever assembled.”

Huff died on May 2, 1994, at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital and is interred in Plot A-69 of Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, a VA Grant Funded Veterans Cemetery. Please take a moment to remember his service today.