When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, the Navy's African-American sailors had been limited to serving as Mess Attendants for nearly two decades. However, the pressures of wartime on manpower resources, the good examples of heros like Doris Miller, the willingness of thousands of patriotic men to participate in the war effort plus well-focused political activities gradually forced changes. Though the Navy remained racially segregated in training and in most service units, in 1942 the enlisted rates were opened to all qualified personnel. In 1944, African-Americans' aspirations were further gratified when the Navy commissioned its first-ever officers of their race.

This page presents a selection of relevant World War II images and provides links to many others.

The following pages feature African-American individuals who served in the World War II Navy:

• Cook Third Class Doris ("Dorie") Miller, awarded the Navy Cross during the attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.
• Mess Attendant First Class Leonard Roy Harmon, posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942.
• "Golden Thirteen", the Navy's first African-American officers
• Navy's First African American Female Officers.

The following pictures provide a selection of views of African Americans serving in the Navy during World War II. For additional coverage of African-Americans and the Wartime Navy, see:

• World War II Shipboard Service;
  
• World War II Service at Pacific Bases
  
• African-American Sailors' Activities in the United States, including:
  
  • Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois
    
  • Hampton Institute, Virginia
    
  • San Diego, California
    
  • Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington

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

Click the photograph for a larger image.

Photo #: NH 46882 President Franklin D. Roosevelt Greeting a Navy First Class Mess Attendant or Ship's Cook, during his tour of the Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington, circa 1942. Navy men present may be recovering at the hospital from injuries received in action. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 615
Photo #: 80-G-11741 USS Argonaut (SS-166) Crewmen reading their mail, after returning to Pearl Harbor from the Makin Island Raid, 26 August 1942. The gun behind them is a 6"/53. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-71586 USS Copahee (ACV-12) Mess Attendants manning a 20mm machine gun, in a gun tub beside the flight deck, 9 September 1942. The carrier was then en route from Alameda, California, to the southwest Pacific. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 615 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-294731 Camp Robert Smalls, Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois A Navy Captain inspects Service School personnel, 2 April 1943. Note band playing in the left background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 600 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-233268 Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington Seaman First Class Henderson Biven working on an aircraft, 26 April 1944. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 78KB; 580 x 765 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-332964 Surrender of Japan, 1945 Patrons and staff at the Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, Officers' Club celebrate news of Japan's surrender, 14 August 1945. Note bottle of "Ballantine's Beer" raised by officer in left center background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 620 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-338470 Peace Celebrations at Naval Amphibious Base, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 15 August 1945 Members of the 22nd Special Naval Construction Battalion cheering news of Japan's acceptance of peace terms. Note sign: "War is over! Good-Bye Pacific. Hello USA". Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 126KB; 740 x 600 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions