WWII US Montford Point Marines - Peleliu 1944

In June 1941, under threat of mass protests over longstanding military segregation, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 mandating that all branches accept qualified African American enlistees, allowing black men to for the first time, become United States Marines. This action was vehemently opposed by the Marine Corps, still drawing its officer corps from the largely institutional south. Arguments were made that because the army was already accepting African American men, still limited to serving as cooks, servants, and logistical personnel, the Marine Corps should be exempt. Reluctantly forced to adhere, the Marine Corps laid plans for an entirely segregated black contingent, training separately from white recruits, never allowed to attain fighting roles, and barred from becoming officers . Recruits arriving to Camp Lejune found themselves directed to a plot of land turned into what amounted to a shanty town, becoming known as Montford Point for the rocky shoreline it bordered. Many recruits arriving from the northeast, found themselves encountering the laws in the Jim Crowe south for the first time, barred from getting clean water at the white only facilities, or even taking part in amphibious training due to the beaches being whites only. These men, driven to attain better lives when returning home to civilian life, persevered equally through Marine Corps training and the prejudice inflicted on them throughout. 

With the Corps finding any route to keep small arms out of their hands, and away from frontline combat, most black Marines lucky enough to escape duties such as cooking or clerical work, found themselves assigned to anti aircraft and shore defense battalions, charged only with defending territories long captured, or moving cargo with logistical battalions. However, as the war in the pacific extended, along with it's supply lines, these Marines assigned to ammunition companies found themselves landing with the combat waves during amphibious landings, to ensure the flow of supplies to critical fighting. On islands like Saipan and Peleliu, keeping supplies flowing meant constant runs to the front lines, aiding in firefights to assist white Marines, and engaging in counter sniper and ambush fighting along the entire routes. During the infamous banzai charges on Saipan, black Marines trained at Montford Point rushed to the lines to prevent a near Japanese breakthrough. The same story would play out again on Peleliu, and Iwo Jima. One white Marine from the 7th Marines was recorded rotating off the line on Peleliu after fierce fighting, stating "those black angels saved us". 

This two pack is intended to represent those courageous Marines fighting on islands like Peleliu and Saipan in late 1944. Both Marines include new art for WWII HBT uniforms based off of reference images. One Marine is equipped with the standard P1941 dungarees, which I've modified to include the jacket worn open, with his teal Marine undershirt showing, as well as the dog tags and cross hanging from the chain. The other is equipped with the jacket from the army issue 1st pattern HBT uniform, often issued to Marines in lieu of, or to replace their standard uniforms. He also features his socks bloused over his trousers, commonly seen being done by Marines as a more comfortable replacement for their leggings. Neither figure includes any field gear, as following amphibious landings, these Marines were expected to focus on their work details, generally fighting from their pockets when needed. I've also included two unique M1 helmet variations seen in use by Montford Point Marines on Peleliu. One is equipped with a standard helmet with frogskin cover, but with the M1943 dust goggles on the front, likely for use in driving duties. The other includes entirely new art for the mosquito net type frogskin cover. These helmet covers were largely identical, but featured a band along the outside to stick foliage in instead of the slits on the standard cover, and a bee keeper style veil which would be folded up inside of the helmet liner when not used. 

This two pack would make a perfect addition to WWII pacific MOCs, allowing you to showcase how materials were actually delivered to the frontline, include them as unique additions to your frontline repelling a Japanese assault, or simply add to your collection to represent the sacrifice and courage of the real men. 

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure out of the printer. Signature by Landon Reimer, serial numbered, and sealed plastic collectors slab with Brick Warp artwork. 

Collectors Edition - Signed by Landon Reimer, serial numbered, and sealed plastic collectors slab with Brick Warp artwork.

Base Model - Complete figure in hand-stamped numbered case inspired by WWII era packaging. Unsealed. This packaging again, is hand-stamped and is not intended to look perfect. 

• BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmet with frogskin helmet cover (M1943 dust goggles variant) 
• BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmet with frogskin mosquito net cover 
• Custom printed minifigure head with wrap around M1 helmet straps
• P1941 dungaree jacket (open + cross variant) 
• P1941 dungaree trousers 
• Army M1941 1st pattern HBT jacket 
• Marine N1 "boondocker" field shoes 
• Inside leg Marine bloused socks printing  
• Holographically sealed packaging (original and collectors edition) 
• Hand stamped WWII inspired packaging (base model) 

LEGAL INFO: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.