PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (WUSA 9) -- Corporal Elmer Mackall of Calvert County was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony held Tuesday.
The 89-year-old served with the Montford Point Marines, one of the first groups of African Americans to serve in the Marine Corps. During World War II Corporal Mackall supplied ammunition at Guadalcanal in the South Pacific. Upon returning home Corporal Mackall served as a founding member of the American Legion, Gray-Ray, Post 220 in Calvert County. Tuesday's ceremony for Corporal Mackall was held at that very American Legion Post he helped found.
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) was a co-sponsor of the legislation which awarded Montford Point Marine veterans the Congressional Gold Medal. Senator Mikulski helped ensure Corporal Mackall received the honor.
