The first decades of the Twentieth Century brought increasing restrictions on the role of African-Americans in American society. The Navy was no exception. Though the enlisted rates remained generally open to men of all races, African-Americans were being actively pushed into servant roles. This page, and that covering the period from World War I to World War II, feature pictures that represent this trend.

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

The following pictures show African-Americans in Navy scenes, afloat and ashore, including some civilian Navy employees.

Click the photograph for a larger image.

Photo #: NH 83564 "Lige" Valet to Captain Albert Gleaves, USN, Commanding Officer of USS Saint Louis (C-20), circa 1909. He is standing by one of the ship's 6"/50 guns. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation; Collection of Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 69KB; 590 x 620
Photo #: NH 95226 Orchestra of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet On board USS Wyoming (BB-32) in 1912-13. Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(Retired), 1983. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 470
Photo #: NH 95636 Naval Aviation Camp, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Camp personnel, circa January-March 1913, during Naval aviation's first fleet "deployment". Officers present are (left-to-right): Lieutenant(Junior Grade) Patrick N.L. Bellinger, USN; First Lieutenant Bernard L. Smith, USMC; First Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham, USMC; Lieutenant John H. Towers, USN; Ensign Victor D. Herbster, USN; Ensign William D. Billingsley, USN; Ensign Godfrey deC. Chevalier, USN. Note goat and dog mascots and canvas hangar with a Curtiss "A" type airplane inside. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation; Collection of Commander Theodore G. Ellyson. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 440
Photo #: NH 91202 USS New Jersey (BB-16) Four sailors of the ship's landing party, with cartridge belts and M1903 rifles, March 1915. They are identified as (left-to-right): Bell, Johnson, Thomas and Marshall. Note base of one of New Jersey's "cage" masts behind them. Donated by Lieutenant Colonel Elton M. Manuel, 1979. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 500
Photo #: NH 93375 Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia Staff of the Navy Yard's Construction and Repair Department, circa the early 1900s. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 585

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions