This month Oxford University Press releases a graphic novel, co-authored by Joseph Geeter titled The First Black Marines, An Oral History .

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Joseph (Joe) Geeter enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1976 and served 25 years on active duty, retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant.

Joe has been involved in Veterans Affairs for well over 40 years, specifically with the Montford Point Marines, America s first African American Marines. Joe rose through the ranks of the National Montford Point Marine Association Inc., eventually serving as the 16th National President from 2005-2009. He was instrumental in lobbying the US Congress for the Congressional Gold Medal for these pioneering Marines, which was signed into law by then President Barrack Obama in November 2011.