Columbia, SC (WLTX) - One of the first African-American Marines will be celebrating his 97th birthday Monday here in Columbia.
Deacon James Knotts grew up in the town of Norway in Orangeburg County. When he was 24, he was drafted into the Marines, and went to Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina, were the first group of African-American Marines were trained there in the 1940s.
He still remembers his segregated boot camp from 1945.
"I was on the black side," he said.
After basic training, he was sent to Hawaii, where he was part of the 47th Depot Company. During his time, he witnessed the beginning of the integration of the Marines.
He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1946, but continues to volunteer with the Marine Corps Reserves.
In 1950, during the Korean Conflict, he was called back to active duty. After a tour, he was discharged again, and given a medal for good conduct.
In the years since, he's received other commendations for his service. "I got that one for being one of the first African Americans," he said, pointing to one of the awards.
His love for the Marine Corps is evident all over his living room.
"This is my hat, this is my medal, this is my favorite one right here," he said, pointing to his wall.
One other thing Knotts has loved his whole 97 years of life has been gardening.
"I plant all this by myself, as long as I'm alive I'll do it," he said about the small patch of land he maintains.
He sits on a chair all the rows of vegetables and waters them one by one.
"I love to eat, that's why I love my garden," he explained.
"He's such a hard worker," his daughter, Jackson Carrie, said. "When we were growing up he taught us to always fight for what we believed in. He fought for his country, I fought for our civil rights."
His daughter says she's so proud of everything her father. "The love this man has for this country," she said.
On Monday, the family plans to take Knotts out for dinner for his birthday. Knotts says he just wants to spend a lot of time with his family