Ozell Sutton

Ozell Sutton (December 13, 1925 – December 19, 2015) was an American soldier and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He was among the first Black members of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was named one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine.

Early life Sutton was born on December 13, 1925 outside of the town of Gould in Lincoln County, Arkansas. His family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas and he graduated from Dunbar High School.

Personal life He marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 in the historic March on Washington D.C., and in 1965 in the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Honors In 1962, he received an honorary doctorate from Philander Smith in recognition of his political activism in the civil rights movement.