Reverend Dr. William H. Greason, a U.S. Marine Corps WWII veteran, professional baseball player, and Baptist minister celebrates his 100th birthday on September 3rd, 2024 at Rickwood Field, in Birmingham, Alabama. Greason's life of service is a sterling example of the Marine Corps values and commitment to the communities in which we serve.
Hosted by the Heart and Armor Foundation for Veterans Health, the local community, veterans, and active-duty military from across the nation have gathered to honor Rev. Greason on this significant milestone in his life.
Greason, a native of Atlanta, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943. One of the first Black Marines to enlist, he was among about 20,000 who were a part of a segregated unit at the Montford Point recruiting training base in North Carolina. He served in the all-Black 66th Supply Platoon, 34th Marine Depot Company, V Amphibious Corps. Greason’s platoon deployed to Iwo Jima in 1945 where he witnessed the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
“When I got in that 66th platoon, we all were there… We were some of the first African Americans to be brought in the Corps. In everything you do make sure you don’t disgrace the Corps. I wear this (Marine Corps cap) because I know what happened and where I’ve been” said Greason
Greason holds the Marine Corps close to his heart, and attributes some of his core values to what he learned while serving. He emphasizes the importance of helping others and putting their needs before his own.
“In any leadership position you have to remember how you got there… somebody had to help you. I found that out in bootcamp,” said Greason.
In 1948, after his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Greason went on to win the Negro American baseball league championship while playing with the Birmingham Black Barons. His astounding abilities allowed him to play with the St. Louis Cardinals as one of the first African Americans to play in the Major Leagues.
“This field (Rickwood Field) and this air and these seats and this stadium are seasoned with your strength, with your resilience, wisdom and joy,” said Navy veteran, LeJon Butler.
Greason's life journey and passion for helping others guided his path to receiving a doctoral degree in divinity studies. He has served as a pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama for the past 53 years.
Reverend Dr. William H. Greason continues to uphold the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. The Marines of Recruiting Station Montgomery Alabama are proud to know a Marine like him in the community in which they serve.
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2024 20:35 |
| Story ID: | 480031 |
| Location: | BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Rev. William Greason: Service to and After the Corps, by Cpl Ruben Padilla, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
