There were times, though, when a Marine’s sense of brotherhood transcended the racial divide. Fizer said he once was sitting in a bus station in Jacksonville, N.C., returning to base after leave, when a Marine asked why Fizer hadn’t boarded a bus yet. Fizer told him they allowed only one black for every 10 whites who boarded a bus.
The Marine pulled out his .45-caliber pistol and pointed it at the head of the station clerk.
“I want him on the bus immediately,” the Marine said, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The frightened clerk complied, Fizer said.