Brigadier General Albert Bryant Sr.

Born on November 10, 1925,Bryant's life was marked by resiliency, exceptional achievement, and a commitment to service. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, a mixed-race child in a deeply segregated South,Bryant never doubted his own identity or potential. At an early age, amid the racial divides and discrimination of the time, Bryant developed a resilience to societal obstacles – and the knack forover coming them that would become his hallmark.

Bryant's military service began in 1943 at Camp Montford Point near Jacksonville, North Carolina. As a young draftee, Bryant was selected to be one of the country’s first Black Marines. Despite the groundbreaking nature of their service, Bryant and his fellow Montford Point Marines experienced firsthand the hardships and hostility confronted by African American servicemembers at the time, serving a newly “integrated”Corps where Black Marines still led segregated lives, marked by dramatically unequal living conditions and accommodations.

Yet Bryant persisted and, within months, was named "honor man" of Platoon 356, earning early promotion.In February of 1945, then Sargent Bryant, served in World War II, including the battle of Iwo Jima, a brutal conflict he recalled with solemnity and gravity. A witness to the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, he was one of the longest-lived survivors of the renowned battle.

After the war, Bryant attended Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, becoming a pharmacist. He continued his military service as an officer in the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Brigadier General, the highest rank achieved by a Montford Point Marine. In 2012, General Bryant was among the surviving Montford Point Marines to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. In his civilian life, Bryant served as Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals for the nation's Veteran’s Administration.

Throughout his life, Bryant was an active and beloved member of varied military, civilian, and Catholic church communities, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and the Beta Mu Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Always willing to share the benefit of his wisdom and lessons learned, his commitment to "lifting as he climbed"was a guiding principle throughout his life. An avid golfer and recreational pilot, he enjoyed camping,fishing, and rounds of golf with his wife and children. He had a passion for current events, love for Hollywood Westerns, and enjoyed music, especially the songs of Frank Sinatra and the “Rat Pack”.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Mable Bryant (née Lun); his children BG Albert Bryant, Jr. (Renée),Kermit Bryant (Vicky), Lori Bryant-Woolridge, Gregory Bryant (Natasha), and Susan Bryant (Dwayne);grandchildren Christina Bryant, Benjamin Bryant, Lt. Col. Albert-Francis "Paco" Bryant (Asha), Michelle Brooke Bryant, Gillian Bryant Toellner (Joshua), Kylle Summers, Austin Woolridge, Capt. Veronica Bean(McCoy), Eva Woolridge, Alexander Bryant, Gabriela Bryant, and Isabel Bryant; great-grandchildren Michael Edmund, Elijah Bryant, Ashley Burden, James Toellner, Jude Toellner, Caroline Toellner, and Isabella Bryant;great-great-granddaughter, Leotta Lavender Edmund; and countless beloved family and friends.

A celebration of life memorial service for Brigadier General Albert will be held Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, followed by a repast from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Bryant family.