EUGENE, Ore. — A group of local Marines reunited with their families Friday. The men were greeted at the airport by three local VFW posts, freedom rider volunteers and then escorted to the reserve center by many law enforcement officers. Spencer Curtman, Chris Norris, Ben Nelson and Master Sgt. Richard Thomas spent the last seven … Continue reading »
Black Oregon WWII Marine Honored
BEND, Ore. — An Oregon Marine received a Congressional Gold Medal Thursday. Jonathan West was one of the first black Marines in World War II serving in the Montford Unit. In 1942, President Roosevelt issued an order allowing blacks to serve. In June, Congress honored those Marines with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian … Continue reading »
