During the War
The Navy
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As perhaps the most tradition-bound of the armed forces, the US Navy strongly resisted enlisting black servicemen. Those few that were permitted into the Navy were strictly held to the ratings of steward or cook. As the Navy began to expand in the months leading up to Pearl Harbor, more black men were permitted to join, but the only new opportunity afforded to them was unloading ships as stevedores.
During WWII, Rear Admiral Samuel Gravely Jr (shown here in 1971) served as a deck officer aboard the 173' submarine chaser USS PC-1264. Navy Historical Center, NH 96775.
During WWII, Rear Admiral Samuel Gravely Jr (shown here in 1971) served as a deck officer aboard the 173' submarine chaser USS PC-1264. Navy Historical Center, NH 96775.
Stevedore Hook
Performed by port battalions, many of which were segregated black units, unloading a ship was thankless, seemingly neverending work using basic tools, such as this metal hook for grasping cargo. The National WWII Museum, 2015.076.004
Stevedore Hook
Performed by port battalions, many of which were segregated black units, unloading a ship was thankless, seemingly neverending work using basic tools, such as this metal hook for grasping cargo. The National WWII Museum, 2015.076.004
Ship’s Cook Third Class Doris “Dorie” Miller receives the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester Nimitz. Miller manned a machine gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor and saved several of his shipmates aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48). National Archives, 208-NP-8PP-2.
Ship’s Cook Third Class Doris “Dorie” Miller receives the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester Nimitz. Miller manned a machine gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor and saved several of his shipmates aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48). National Archives, 208-NP-8PP-2. -
After intense pressure from the NAACP, the Black Press, and President Roosevelt, the Navy began to open ratings to black sailors in 1942. Several African American construction battalions were established and deployed throughout the Pacific theater, serving under white officers and living in segregated facilities that they usually built themselves.
Petty Officer J.P. Weaver drives a bulldozer while serving with the 34th Construction Battalion. His unit spent 20 months overseas in the Pacific Theater. Courtesy of the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park, Davisville, Rhode Island. -
Harold Ward, who served in the Navy, discusses the lack of specialization for black sailors and his duties as an officer's steward. He also describes the Night Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. From the Collection of The National WWII Museum. -
Ultimately, over 160,000 African Americans served in the Navy. The first black officers were commissioned in March 1944. Known as the Golden Thirteen, the officers were not allowed to command white sailors and instead were put in charge of black work details.
The “Golden Thirteen,” twelve commissioned officers and one warrant officer, were commissioned in March 1944. They were the first black officers in US Navy history. National Archives, 80-G-300215.
