Ronald C. Johnson (right), a retired master gunnery sergeant and the Montford Point Marines Deputy Director, presents William J. Brashear (left), a Montford Point Marine, with the Congressional Gold Medal at Mount Era Baptist Church in Morgan City, La., Nov. 15, 2014. The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor given by Congress for distinguished achievement. On Nov. 23, 2011, President Barrack Obama signed into legislation a law that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to all Montford Point Marines, the first African-Americans allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps.