S*1605 Resolution, By Jackson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE JAMES KNOTTS OF THE RICHARD STREET COMMUNITY
 IN RICHLAND COUNTY FOR HIS SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES
 DURING WORLD WAR II, TO HONOR THE COURAGE AND DEDICATION HE DISPLAYED AS A
 MEMBER OF THAT PROUD GROUP, AND TO COMMEMORATE HIS BEING AWARDED A BRONZE
 MEDAL OF HONOR, WHICH IS A REPLICA OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL, AT A
 CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON JUNE 27, 2012.

   06/19/12  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 65)

TO RECOGNIZE JAMES KNOTTS OF THE RICHARD STREET COMMUNITY IN RICHLAND COUNTY FOR HIS SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES DURING WORLD WAR II, TO HONOR THE COURAGE AND DEDICATION HE DISPLAYED AS A MEMBER OF THAT PROUD GROUP, AND TO COMMEMORATE HIS BEING AWARDED A BRONZE MEDAL OF HONOR, WHICH IS A REPLICA OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL, AT A CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON JUNE 27, 2012.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to note that James Knotts, who served during World War II as a Montford Point Marine, will be honored with his Montford Marine comrades in a ceremony to take place in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2012; and

Whereas, from 1942 to 1949, Montford Point Camp in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was a segregated training facility that readied for military service the first African Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. During the June 27 ceremony, for their courageous service during World War II the Montford Marines will receive bronze replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal given to the Montford Point Marine Association; and

Whereas, born on December 19, 1919, Montford Marine James Knotts attended Rocky Swamp School in his hometown of Norway. Following the death of his father, he left school after completing third grade to help provide for his mother. His first job was picking blackberries, which lit a spark in young James that eventually grew into a passion for gardening; and

Whereas, on April 1, 1945, at the age of twenty-four, James Knotts was drafted into the Marine Corps and received his basic training with the 518th Battalion at Montford Point Camp, making him one of the first African Americans to serve in the Marine Corps; and

Whereas, after his honorable discharge in 1946, he volunteered with the Marine Corps Reserves and eventually served in the Korean Conflict, as well; and

Whereas, married to Leona Bowlin Knotts for forty-two years, James Knotts lost his wife to an untimely death in 1981, but God soon blessed him with another spouse, Flossie Butler Knotts. God called her home in 1991. Now ninety-two years of age, Mr. Knotts long has enjoyed a fine family of two beautiful daughters, four delightful grandchildren, and four charming great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, a man of faith, James Knotts became a faithful and active member of Columbia's Sweet Home Baptist Church in 1952. He has served there in several capacities and currently holds the title of Deacon Emeritus. In addition, he is active in his community in various organizations, including VFW #6 (Reeder Point, Eastway Park, and Atlas Road communities), and as a gardener he enjoys the yearly competition he and his neighbors launch to see who can grow the biggest and best garden; and

Whereas, the Senate, grateful for his service as a Montford Marine, takes great pleasure in saluting James Knotts on the occasion of his receiving a Bronze Medal of Honor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize James Knotts of the Richard Street Community in Richland County for his service as a member of the Montford Point Marines during World War II, honor the courage and dedication he displayed as a member of that proud group, and commemorate his being awarded a Bronze Medal of Honor, which is a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal, at a ceremony to take place in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2012.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to James Knotts.