Henry H. Black

Henry H. Black (February 9, 1929 – August 24, 2012) was a United States Marine who served as the 7th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977.

Henry H. Black
Sergeant Major Henry H. Black c. 1975
Born	February 9, 1929 Imperial, Pennsylvania
Died	August 24, 2012 (aged 83) Fredericksburg, Virginia
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1948–1977
Rank	Sergeant Major
Commands held	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Battles/wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Early life

Henry Black was born in Imperial, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1929. A high school graduate of Findley High School in 1947, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on April 12, 1948 and underwent recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after completing boot camp and served with Company C, 1st Battalion 8th Marines, and later, with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion 6th Marines.

Military career

Ordered to Korea in 1950, Black joined Company H, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division as the commanding officer's driver. As a private first class, he was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for heroic actions at the Chosin Reservoir. His brother, Albert H. Black, also served in this campaign with him.

Black returned to the United States in May 1951, and was assigned a member of the security force at Marine Barracks, Dahlgren, Virginia. He completed Recruiters School at Parris Island in July 1953, and was assigned as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge, Recruiting Substation, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Black served as a Platoon Commander of a heavy machine gun platoon with 1st Battalion 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in the Western Pacific area from August 1956 to November 1957 when he was ordered to Parris Island to attend Drill Instructor School. Upon completion of the course, he served consecutively as a junior drill instructor, a senior drill instructor, and finally, as a chief drill instructor in the Recruit Training Regiment.

In August 1960 Black was transferred to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he served as Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Recruiting Substation for the next four years. He served as a Company First Sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division from August 1964 to November 1965, and landed with the Marines sent to the Dominican Republic during that period.

Ordered to South Vietnam in January 1966, Black served as First Sergeant of Company A, 1st Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division until February 1967. He was then assigned as First Sergeant of Casual Company, and later, as Sergeant Major, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico. Black began his second Vietnam tour in June 1969, serving as Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded his second and third Bronze Star Medals during his tour.

Returning to the United States in April 1970, Black was assigned as Sergeant Major of the Recruiting Station in Richmond, Virginia. He remained in that billet until August 1972, when he was transferred to Bremerton, Washington, as Sergeant Major of the Marine Barracks there.

Black was ordered to Iwakuni, Japan, in November 1973, as Sergeant Major of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing until November 1974, when he returned to the Marine Corps Development and Education Command as Sergeant Major of that command until his selection as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Black assumed the post of 7th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on June 1, 1975.

Later life

Black with Sgt Major Carlton W Kent in 2009

Black died at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on August 24, 2012.[1]

Awards and honors

Black's military decorations include:[2][3]

1st Row	Silver Star	Legion of Merit		Bronze Star w/ valor device & 2 award stars
2nd Row	Purple Heart	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal	Combat Action Ribbon	Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 3 service stars
3rd Row	Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ 7 service stars	Navy Occupation Service Medal	National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star	Korean Service Medal w/ 4 service stars
4th Row	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal	Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 service stars	Korean Presidential Unit Citation	Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation
5th Row	Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation	United Nations Korea Medal	Vietnam Campaign Medal	Korean War Service Medal
Badges	Rifle Expert marksmanship badge		Pistol Sharpshooter marksmanship badge

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Henry H. Black (MCSN: 667269), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Jeep Driver of Headquarters and Service Company, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 November 1950. Observing that a 60-mm. mortar section was rapidly exhausting its supply of ammunition during a fierce attack against his company's positions by numerically superior enemy forces, Corporal Black accompanied by a fellow Marine voluntarily completed two trips to the company ammunition dump, which had been overrun by the enemy, and returning on foot on each occasion, brought back mortar ammunition in the face of a continued enemy barrage of small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. Risking his life again, he led his companion through the enemy penetration, obtained a jeep and trailer, assisted in loading the vehicles with ammunition and boldly drove through the intense fire to his company command post. By his daring initiative, aggressive determination and courageous efforts in the face of extreme peril, Corporal Black contributed materially to the successful repulse of the attackers and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[4]

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

1. "Former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Black dies at 83". marines.mil. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
2. Chapin, John (1993). Uncommen Men – The Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps (1 ed.). Shippensburg, Pennsylvania 17257-0152 USA: Burd Street Press. p. 338. ISBN 0-942597-45-1.CS1 maint: location (link)
3. "Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal". Air Force's Personnel Center. U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
4. "Henry H. Black". Military Times.

External links

• Official Marine Corps biography