Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

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 --
World War II Activities in the United States --
Great Lakes Naval Training Station,
Visiting Entertainers, Political Figures and Other Celebrities

This page features views of celebrities visiting African-American trainees at Great Lakes during World War II.

For other pictorial coverage of African-Americans during World War II, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy -- World War II cover page.

For pictorial coverage of other eras, 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 pictures feature entertainers, political figures and other celebrities visiting African-American trainees at Great Lakes during World War II. The page Graduation Ceremonies contains other images relevant to this subject.
For additional views of Wartime training and other activities at Great Lakes, see:
General Views;
Graduation Ceremonies;
Field & Military Training;
Shore Patrol Training;
Recreation and Sports.

Photo #: NH 46873

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Lieutenant Commander Daniel W. Armstrong, USN (Retired), at left, salutes President Franklin D. Roosevelt, during a Presidential tour of the station, circa 1942. Mrs. Roosevelt is also in the car, at right.
LCdr. Armstrong was Officer in Charge of Negro recruit training at Great Lakes.

Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 620 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-294748

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Guest Speaker Robert Lee Brokenburr, Indiana political figure, congratulates graduates at the Negro Service School graduation exercises, 13 October 1943.
Note "Newsmap" issue of 19 July 1943 on the wall, giving information on war events, including the Sicily and New Georgia invasions.

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

Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294804

Doris Miller, Mess Attendant First Class, USN


Talking with three other sailors and a civilian, during his visit to the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, 7 January 1943.
He is wearing the Navy Cross medal, awarded for heroism during the Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941.

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

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294808

Doris Miller, Mess Attendant First Class, USN


Speaking during a visit to the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, on 7 January 1943.
He is wearing the Navy Cross medal, awarded for heroism during the Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941.

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

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294760

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Pianist Hazel Scott signs autographs, during a guest appearance at the Negro Service School, 17 December 1943.
Note uniform of man on left, with a letter "S" over a Figure Eight Knot on his jumper's right breast.

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

Online Image: 70KB; 585 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294816

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Singer Marian Anderson presents a concert for the officers and men of the African-American regiments at NTS Great Lakes, 2 December 1943.

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

Online Image: 55KB; 585 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294845

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Audience for a concert presented by vocalist Paul Robeson, 16 July 1943.
Note racially segregated seating.

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

Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 600 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294849

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Paul Robeson in concert at the Station, 16 July 1943.

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

Online Image: 80KB; 580 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-294850

Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois


Paul Robeson autographs programs, during a concert he gave at the Station on 16 July 1943.

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

Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 


For additional views of Wartime training and other activities at Great Lakes, see:
General Views;
Graduation Ceremonies;
Field & Military Training;
Shore Patrol Training;
Recreation and Sports.

For other pictorial coverage of African-Americans during World War II, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy -- World War II cover page.

For pictorial coverage of other eras, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Updated data 17 December 1998