The thirteen men who became the United States Navy's first African-American officers on active duty in 1944 recall--in their own words--how they fought prejudice, maintained their dignity, and served as role models for all African-Americans. Reprint. NYT.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In 1944, responding to pressure from Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson (the latter then serving as assistant to the Navy secretary), the Navy reluctantly turned 13 black enlisted men into officers--the first African American officers in the branch. Not knowing where to assign them, the Bureau of Personnel put them to work on harbor craft and supervising stevedores. Though their naval service was not in itself particularly interesting, their commissioning represented an important breakthrough, for it led to an increase in opportunities for African Americans in the armed forces. As Gen. Colin Powell remarks in the foreword, this collection of interviews with eight surviving members of the group (plus three white officers who served with them) is not so much about their years in the Navy as it is about "what it was to grow up, to make a living, to be American, to be black" in the middle years of this century. Only one of the 13 made a career of the Navy; the others, after serving honorably, returned to civilian life and became, variously, a football coach, a teacher, a dealership service-manager, a city planner, an NCAA official, a judge, a social worker, an Urban League official. Stillwell directs the oral history program at the Naval Institute. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
Stillwell, the editor of Naval History magazine, has compiled a fascinating collection of reminiscences focusing on the first black naval officers in America. The recollections include eight black officers (commissioned in 1944) and three white officers involved in their training. Two major themes emerge: Most of the blacks were well-educated former athletes whose families stressed self-discipline and the need for formal schooling. In addition, the 16 candidates (three of whom were not commissioned) saw themselves as a coherent group who cooperated rather than competed in their training. Filled with interesting detail, especially about differing white and black perceptions of the military, this is a welcome addition covering a little-explored area of African American history.
- Anthony O. Edmonds, Ball State Univ., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
- Anthony O. Edmonds, Ball State Univ., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Seabees are quite differnt than those portrayed by John Wayne,
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This review is from: The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers (Bluejacket Paperback Series) (Paperback)
Found out how the Seabees came to be through the wisdom of Mr. Knox and President Roosevlt by reading about The Golden Thirteen, someone saw the golden light when Christ and His disciples walked this earth and chose thirteen men to become a sybmol of things to come.
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The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers,
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This review is from: The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers (Hardcover)
This book is particularly precious to me; learning more of the history of what these men experienced has been important to me and to my ability to encourage my grandson to be a responsible person in our society--given the sacrifices that were made by others, long gone. This historical accounting is not so very far from my lifetime, as I am aware of and in contact with some of the names of persons mentioned in this book.
The courage and determination of these men are astounding, as they traverse the undercurrents, undertow, and waves of racism in order to emerge the splendid officers they became.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!,
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This review is from: The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers (Bluejacket Paperback Series) (Paperback)
This book was both upsetting and inspiring...a must read for all Minority Naval Officers to ensure that this type of history never repeats itself.
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