Chicago Archives

Justice Delivered: Navy Exonerates WWII Sailors Wrongfully Convicted in Port Chicago Disaster

Washington, D.C. — In a significant rectification of a long-standing military injustice, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro recently signed an exoneration order for the sailors involved in the 1944 Port Chicago disaster, marking an end to their decades-long struggle for justice. This naval catastrophe, one of the deadliest home-front incidents during World War II, occurred at an ammunition depot near San Francisco, resulting in the death of 320 personnel—most of whom were African American. The …

Justice at Last: U.S. Navy Exonerates Black Sailors on 80th Anniversary of Port Chicago Tragedy

Port Chicago, California — An emotional remembrance marked the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Port Chicago explosion on Saturday, a tragic event that claimed the lives of over 300 sailors and civilians, most of whom were Black. The memorial was deeply significant this year following the recent exoneration of 256 Black sailors unjustly punished in the aftermath of the catastrophe. The explosion, one of World War II’s most tragic domestic military accidents, occurred on July …

Teenager and Five Juveniles Face Charges Following Assault on Chicago Transit Train

Chicago, IL — Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old woman and charged five minors, including an 11-year-old, following a brutal assault on a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train in the city’s Loop area last week. The incident, which unfolded during peak commuting hours, was captured on the train’s surveillance system, leading to a swift police response. The sequence of events began when clashes erupted among the youths aboard the CTA train, resulting in significant injuries to …

Intensive Manhunt Underway for Suspect in Tragic Killing of Chicago Postal Worker

CHICAGO — In a chilling episode that underscores the rising hazards faced by postal workers, the Chicago Police Department has intensified its search for the assailant responsible for the murder of 48-year-old postal worker Octavia Redmond. Redmond was fatally shot while on her delivery route in the city’s West Pullman neighborhood. Authorities located a burnt-out Dodge Durango, believed to be linked to the crime, in an open field on the 8900 block of South Holland …

U.S. Navy Clears Names of Black WWII Sailors Wrongly Convicted in 1944 Port Chicago Blast

Washington, D.C. – Nearly eight decades after an egregious injustice, the U.S. Navy has officially cleared the names of 40 Black sailors who were wrongfully convicted in the aftermath of the 1944 Port Chicago disaster. This historic event not only marked one of the deadliest munitions explosions during Worldwell War II but also a significant legal and civil rights battle over racial discrimination within the U.S. military. On July 17, 1944, a devastating explosion at …

Navy Rights Historical Wrongs: Exonerates 256 Black Sailors from 1944 Port Chicago Incident After 80 Years

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has officially cleared the names of 256 Black sailors who faced racial discrimination and unjust punishments following a tragic explosion at a California naval facility in 1944, which killed 320 people and left another 400 injured. The decision, announced on the 80th anniversary of the disaster at Port Chicago Naval Magazine, aims to correct a historic wrong rooted in racial injustice. On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion ripped through …

Justice at Last: US Navy Clears Names of 256 Black Sailors Wrongly Convicted in 1944 Port Chicago Tragedy

Washington, D.C. — In a historic move on Wednesday, the U.S. Navy cleared the names of 256 Black sailors who had been wrongfully convicted of mutiny and disobeying orders in the aftermath of the 1944 Port Chicago naval base explosion, the most catastrophic homeland disaster during World War II. This announcement came nearly 80 years after the deadly blast that killed 320 individuals and injured 390 others, predominantly impacting Black servicemen. The exoneration followed a …

Marking 80 Years: Port Chicago Remembrance and the Ongoing Battle for Justice of the Port Chicago 50

Concord, CA — Eight decades have passed since the catastrophic explosion at Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California, which stands as one of the most harrowing incidents of World War II on the U.S. home front. The disaster, which occurred on the night of July 17, 1944, claimed the lives of 320 people and injured 390 others. The majority of those killed were African American sailors, shedding light on both the contributions and challenges faced …

Remembering Port Chicago: Calls for Justice on 80th Anniversary of Naval Explosion That Highlighted Racial Inequality

On the night of July 17, 1944, a catastrophic explosion at the Naval Munitions Depot near Port Chicago, California, not only shook the physical landscape but also heralded pivotal changes in military policy and civil rights. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the disaster, which claimed the lives of 320 servicemen, predominantly African American sailors. At this landmark anniversary, there is a growing clamor among relatives and communities to rectify past wrongs and honor …

Eight Decades On: Families Reflect on Port Chicago Explosion and Push for Recognition of the ‘Port Chicago 50’ as Heroes

San Francisco, CA — Eight decades have passed since the catastrophic Port Chicago explosion, a dark episode of World War II that continues to resonate with families of the victims and underscore historical discussions about racial segregation and military justice. The 1944 explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in northern California was the deadliest home front disaster of the war, claiming 320 lives, the majority of whom were African American sailors. At the time, …