ding Negro Marines, Hist Div, HQMC, files.
Unless otherwise noted, all documents in this
section are located in these files.]

[Footnote 18-4: Msg, CMC (signed C. B. Cates) to CG,
Dept of Pacific, 18 Nov 49. Aware of the delicate
public relations aspects of this subject, the
Director of Plans and Policies recommended that
this message be classified; see Memo, E. A. Pollock
for Asst CMC, 8 Nov 49.]

Further limiting the chances that black marines would be integrated,
Cates approved the creation of four new black units. The Director of
Personnel and the Marine Quartermaster had opposed this move on the
grounds that the new units would require technical billets,
particularly in the supply specialties, which would be nearly
impossible to fill with available enlisted black marines. Either
school standards would have to be lowered or white marines would have
to be assigned to the units. Cates met this objection by agreeing with
the Director of Plans and Policies that no prohibition existed against
racial mixing in a unit during a period of on-the-job training. The
Director of Personnel would decide when a unit was sufficiently
trained and properly manned to be officially designated a black
organization.[18-5] In keeping with this arrangement, for example, the
commanding general of the 2d Marine Division reported in February 1950
that his black marines were sufficiently trained to assume complete
operation of the depot platoon within the division's service command.
Cates then designated the platoon as a unit suitable for general (p. 462)
duty black marines, which prompted the Coordinator of Enlisted
Personnel to point out that current regulations stipulated "after a
unit has been so designated, all white enlisted personnel will be
withdrawn and reassigned."[18-6]

[Footnote 18-5: DP&P Study 119-49, 14 Nov 49, sub:
Designation of Units for Assignment of Negro
Marines, approved by CMC, 2 Dec 49.]

[Footnote 18-6: Memo, CG, 2d Marine Div, for CMC, 18
Feb 50, sub: Assignment of Negro Enlisted
Personnel; Memo, CMC to CG, 2d Marine Div, 28 Mar
50, sub: Designation of the Depot Platoon, Support
Company, Second Combat Service Grou