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XULA Alum Raymond Williams and His Role in Ending Segregation in the U.S. Military

Raymond J. Williams

In 1946, before the official end of the war, Williams and his unit were transferred to the all-white unit at Hadnot Point. In serving there, they would become the first African-American Marines to be integrated into the American military and would go on to be recognized for their duty by Congress 78 years later. In 2011, the United States Congress granted the 19,000 soldiers who made up the Montford Point Marines a collective Congressional Gold Medal. The distinction is the highest civilian honor to be granted by Congress. 


Raymond Williams


Education was always fundamental for Raymond Williams as earlier reports indicate his primary reason for enrolling in the Military was so he could use the GI Bill to fund his education. After the war, he used the GI Bill to pursue degrees in business and higher education at Xavier University of Louisiana. He also spent some time teaching in New Orleans before venturing off to oversee a space center at NASA.

On February 2, 2020, the beginning of Black History Month, Raymond J. Williams, passed away at his home in Alabama. He was 92 years old. He is survived by all seven of his children, all of whom graduated from college, his 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.