From KETC, LIVING ST. LOUIS Producer Ruth Ezell visits with University City resident William Washington, a member of the Montford Point Marines. Assigned to the marines to fill a quota for black recruits (and part of the first group of black soldiers ever to serve in the marines) when he enlisted during World War II, Washington was sent to a segregated training facility called Montford Point. During the War, Washington served in the Pacific—as did all the black marine units—in ammunition supply units and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded. These units served with valor during all of the major battles in the Pacific, and many were decorated for the bravery, despite not being able to advance past the rank of sergeant.