Montford Point Marine Charles C. Payne Passed Away

Local Montford Point Marine dies at age 89
Times and Democrat
November 21, 2014

Charles C. Payne of Orangeburg was a quiet warrior of sorts, having served from 1942 to 1949 as one of the first African-Americans to enter the U.S. Marine Corps and then as a faithful mentor at a local elementary school.

The 89-year-old died at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia on Tuesday, leaving a legacy of which his community can be proud.

Payne served at Montford Point Camp, a segregated camp affiliated with Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was one of approximately 37 Montford Point Marines who gathered at the U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington on Aug. 26, 2011, for a recognition program honoring the first African-Americans in the Marine Corps.

He went on in 2012 to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his World War II service.

Payne served as chaplain of the Greater Orangeburg Leathernecks No. 1259 Marine Corps League.
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