Therian Neal Brown, goddaughter of Montford Point Marine Mr. James Neal, looks proudly at the Congressional Gold Medal presented Oct. 23, 2015, to her and her godbrother Dr. James J. Neal, by Lt. Col. Michael F. Arnone, Inspector-Instructor 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. Brown and Dr. Neal accepted the medal on behalf of their father at Harper University Hospital in Detroit, Mich. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress for distinguished achievement. The President of the United States, President Barack Obama signed into law, the legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Montford Point Marines on Nov. 23, 2011. This award recognizes Montford Point Marines' contributions to the Marine Corps and the United States of America from 1942 to 1949, when approximately 20,000 African American recruits were trained at a segregated base called Camp Montford Point. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. David Flores) (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. David Flores)