"The focus is the Marine Corps. Additional topics include internal Marine perspectives on the admittance of blacks, initially enforced quotas, and the difficulties of segregation. Appendices provide information regarding monthly inductions into the Marine Corps; rank and pay structure; depot and ammunition companies from 1943 to 1946; and Pacific Ocean area units of fire for ground weapons"--Provided by publisher.

Section I. Pre-World War II -- 1. "No Negro, Mulatto, or Indian to be enlisted ..." -- 2. The U.S. Marine Corps-a very brief history -- 3. A closer look -- 4. A chance to join "The Club" -- Section II. 1941-1942: The war begins -- 5. The exigencies of war -- 6. Blacks accept the challenge -- 7. American strategy -- 8. The First Black Marine Unit -- 9. Training the First Black recruits -- 10. Changes come quickly -- Section III. 1943 -- 11. Proving amphibious doctrine -- 12. Segregation is still the rule -- 13. Training with the guns -- 14. War is serious business -- 15. Change comes slowly -- 16. A time of turmoil -- Section IV. 1944 -- 17. Activating the 52d defense battalion -- 18. South Pacific -- 19. Leaving the States -- 20. The Marianas -- 21. Operation Forager countinues -- 22. Moving out -- 23. Pushing Black Marines through -- 24. Garrison life -- Section V. 1946-1946 -- 25. No end in sight -- 26. Hounded by the press -- 27. Okinawa-Operation Iceberg -- 28." ... A very lonely day ..." -- 29. Future for Black Marines -- 30. A few of the men, continued.