Ambassador Theodore R. Britton Jr. visits Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., April 21, 2022.

Ambassador Britton enlisted in the Marine Corps in January of 1944 and attended recruit training at MCRD Montford Point (the recruit depot for all African Americans at the time). After graduating recruit training, Ambassador Britton went on to serve honorably in WWII and the Korean War. After his tenure with the Marine Corps, Britton was discharged at the rank of sergeant, before continuing his illustrious career into the federal government serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and Grenada, as well as the U.S. Special Representative to Antigua, Dominica, and several other countries, under the command of President Gerald R. Ford before resigning under President Jimmy Carter.

Now, 78 years later, Ambassador Britton stood aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. for the first time, taking his place amongst those Marines who all began at the yellow footprints.

             (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dakota Dodd)