The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers (Bluejacket Books) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1591148405 ISBN 13: 9781591148401

Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 2003

Synopsis

In January 1944 sixteen black enlisted men gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois to begin a cram course that would turn them into the U.S. Navy's first African-American officers on active duty. The men believed they could set back the course of racial justice if they failed and banded together so all would succeed. Despite the demanding pace, all sixteen passed the course. Twelve were commissioned as ensigns and a thirteenth was made a warrant officer. Years later these pioneers came to be known as the Golden Thirteen, but at the outset they were treated more as pariahs than pioneers. Often denied the privileges and respect routinely accorded white naval officers, they were given menial assignments unworthy of their abilities and training. Yet despite this discrimination, these inspirational young men broke new ground and opened the door for generations to come. <br><br>In 1986, oral historian Paul Stillwell began recording the memories of the eight surviving members of the Golden Thirteen. Later he interviewed three white officers who served with and supported the efforts of the men during World War II. This book collects the stories of those eleven men. They tell in dramatic fashion what it was like to be a black American.

About this title

About the Author:

<Strong>Paul Stillwell </strong> is the author or editor of many naval books including <em>The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers </em> which was selected by the New York Times as one of the notable books published in 1993 in the field of history. Stillwell spent more than thirty years on the staff of the U.S. Naval Institute in Annapolis, Maryland, including serving as editor in chief, magazine editor and oral historian. In 1971, as a reservist, he had a tour of duty on board the aircraft carrier <em>Lexington<em>.

About this edition

• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1591148405
• ISBN 13: 9781591148401
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336
• Editor: Paul L. Stillwell