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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- TOPICS --

African-Americans and the U.S. Navy -- Later 1940s and the 1950s

This page features pictures of African-Americans in the Navy during the fifteen years following World War II, a time marked by the Korean War, the Cold War, the end of formal racial segregation in the armed forces, and a gradual expansion of opportunities for African-Americans in the Navy and in American society.

For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

The following pages feature the first African-Americans to become a Naval Academy graduate and a Naval Aviator:
  • Wesley A. Brown, first African-American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy.


The following pictures show African-Americans in Navy scenes, afloat and ashore, from 1945 through 1959.

Photo #: 80-G-423462

Chief Machinist's Mate Earl M. Maxwell, USN


Receives a gold watch from Captain Horace B. Butterfield, upon his retirement from the Navy after 31 years of service. The ceremony was held at the 13th Naval District Headquarters, Seattle, Washington, in December 1950.
Photographed by Peyou.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 84KB; 590 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-423640

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43)


Lieutenant Commander Maurice N. Wickendoll receives congratulations from Vice Admiral Felix B. Stump and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air John F. Floberg, after making Coral Sea's 20,000th landing, 31 August 1950.
Stewardsmen in the foreground are holding a cake baked and decorated in honor of the occasion.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-426556

USS English (DD-696)


A 40mm gun crew prepares to bombard enemy installations along the Korean coast, circa October 1950 - February 1951.
Photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center on 21 February 1951.
Note radar antenna on this quad 40mm mount and ammunition loaded in guns. Another 40mm mount, pointed in the opposite direction, is in the upper left background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-13003 (Color)

Munsan-Ni, Korea


Doctor and Corpsmen irrigate muscle tissue, as a wounded man is prepared for an operation, at the Medical Company, 23 September 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-644528

Operation "Passage to Freedom", 1954


A young Vietnamese refugee lends a helping hand to a sailor chipping paint on board USS Bayfield (APA-33), while enroute from Haiphong to Saigon, Indochina, 7 September 1954.
Note aviators' oxygen bottle at left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-647026

Operation "Passage to Freedom", 1954


A Vietnamese mother and baby are helped down the gangway of USS Estes (AGC-12), as refugees arrive at Saigon after being evacuated from the North.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 620 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

22 December 1998