African-Americans and the U.S. Navy
World War I to World War II
This page features pictures of African-Americans in the Navy during and after World War I, as the process of shutting them out of all rates except those of the Steward Branch reached completion.
For additional images taken during this time period,
The following page features a noteworthy African-American who served in the Navy from 1896 to 1925:
- Chief Gunner's Mate John Henry ("Dick") Turpin (1878-1962), one of the Navy's first African-American Chief Petty Officers.
Additional pictorial coverage, see African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.
Click photograph for a larger image.
The following pictures show African-Americans in Navy scenes, afloat and ashore, from 1917 to 1941.
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Photo #: NH 75519 "A Bad Play for the Navy" U.S. Navy Sailors attending a sporting event in England, probably during World War I, with British soldiers in the foreground. Photograph by the Central News, Ltd., London. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 580 |
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Photo #: NH 41866 USS Rambler (SP-211) Ship's forward 3"/50 gun in action, while she was operating off Brest at Pallice, France, on convoy escort duty, 1918. The original photograph was taken by Robert W. Neeser. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 535 |
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Photo #: NH 41865 USS Rambler (SP-211) Ship's forward 3"/50 gun in action, while she was operating off Brest at Pallice, France, on convoy escort duty, 1918. The original photograph was taken by Robert W. Neeser. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 530 |
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Photo #: NH 56659 USS Bushnell (Submarine Tender # 2) Mess Attendants on board the ship, during World War I. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 500 |
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Photo #: 111-SC-9231 "Type in the U.S. Navy - The Winning Smile" An Army photograph of a Navy Steward on board ship, during World War I. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 605 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives |
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Photo #: NH 103148 USS Madawaska (ID # 3011) Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in 1918-1919, showing the ship's ward room as her stewards prepare to serve a meal. This image was published in 1918-1919 by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views concerning USS Madawaska. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 490 |
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Photo #: NH 3048 USS Prometheus (Repair Ship # 3) Wardroom Mess table ready for a meal, circa 1919-20. Three Stewards are standing by in the background. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 510 |
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Photo #: NH 103999 USS Matsonia (ID # 1589) Halftone reproduction of a photograph of the officer's galley on the ship, taken in 1918-1919. This image was published in 1918-1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board Matsonia. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 105KB; 740 x 510 |
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Photo #: NH 103956 USS Pretoria (1919-1919) Halftone reproduction of a photograph of four crew members in the officers' pantry, 1919. This image was published by A.M. Simon, 324 E. 23rd St., New York City, in 1919 as one of ten photographs in a "Souvenir Folder" of views of and on board Pretoria. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2006. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 490 |
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Photo #: NH 99392 USS Black Arrow (ID # 3913) Ship's Officers and Crew on deck, 1919. Panoramic photograph by the Taylor Studio, Norfolk, Virginia. Note the group of African-American Sailors in the lower right. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 127KB; 900 x 370 |
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Photo #: NH 105700 USS Imperator (ID # 4080) Ship's Officers and Crew, posed on her after boat deck, circa late spring or summer 1919. Panoramic photograph by H.A. Helm, 121 West 68th Street, New York. Note the large boat cranes flanking this scene, and the very large group of stewards in the front left. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 212KB; 2000 x 505 |
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Photo #: NH 90515 USS S-22 (SS-127) Ship's Complement, at New London, Connecticut, Summer 1941. Officers, seated in front center, are (left-to-right): Lieutenant Joseph F. Enright, USN; Lieutenant Commander George H. Wales, USN, Commanding Officer; Lieutenant Ernest S. Friedrick, USN; and Ensign Alvin E. Kirstein, USNR. Courtesy of Captain Joseph F. Enright, USN(Retired), 1979. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 570 |
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For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions