Sailors Archives

Justice Served: U.S. Navy Clears Names of 256 Black Sailors Wrongfully Blamed for 1944 Explosion

Washington, D.C. — In a long-overdue act of justice, the U.S. Navy has posthumously exonerated 256 African American sailors who were unjustly blamed and subsequently punished following a catastrophic explosion at Port Chicago in 1944. The explosion, one of the deadliest on the American home front during World War II, led to significant racial tensions and highlighted issues of segregation and discrimination within the military. On July 17, 1944, at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine …

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 …

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 …

Armed Clash in South China Sea: Filipino Sailors Face Off Against Chinese Coast Guard with Axes and Knives

MANILA, Philippines — Tensions flared in the South China Sea on June 17 as a violent encounter erupted between Filipino sailors and the Chinese Coast Guard near Ayungin Shoal, leading to accusations from both sides. The incident occurred as the Philippines attempted to resupply its marines on the BRP Sierra Madre, a shipwreck stationed in a disputed area that has seen increased Chinese maritime assertiveness. During the confrontation, video evidence released by the Philippine military …

Tribute Paid to 47 Sailors Lost in USS Iowa Turret Explosion of April 1989

NORFOLK, Va. – Nearly three decades ago on April 19, 1989, tragedy struck USS Iowa during routine exercises in Puerto Rico when a gun turret explosion resulted in the loss of 47 Navy sailors. What was initially deemed as an intentional act was later revealed to be a tragic accident caused by an over-ram of gunpowder. The impact of this disaster continues to resonate with the families, friends, and crewmembers who gathered at Iowa Point …