It was the worst stateside disaster in World War II, according to the Navy. The White sailors were granted leave after the explosion, but Black sailors were ordered back to work loading ammunition ...

Prior to the war, many blacks were already experienced seamen, having served in the British navy and in the colonies' state navies, as well as on merchant vessels in the North and the South.

who served as a captain in the Virginia navy during the war, recalled several black men among the "courageous patriots who... in justice to their merits should not be forgotten." He mentions four ...

For Keith Conley, it was Navy Vice Adm ... training and served in all-Black units — a practice that would continue beyond the end of World War II. Gravely served on several submarines ...