Clement Poussaint, an original Montford Point Marine,

Clement Poussaint, an original Montford Point Marine, watches as the colors are presented during the opening of his Congressional Gold Medal award ceremony Sept. 8, at the Harlem YMCA, here. Poussaint served as an acting sergeant major during World War II and received a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that may be bestowed upon a civilian, for his contributions that led to the eventual desegregation of the armed forces.