Bidspirit auction | Early Black American Naval Class

Early Black American Naval Class Photo: 1943 Great Lakes -   Framed WW2 era panoramic style photo of Naval Cadets in a group photo, the majority of whom appear to be African American or of African American decent. Loss to image from peeling is noted on top left, top right, and at central points that do impact the images of some of the cadets. Framed size : 10.5 x 22.5 inches. Upon Close inspection the following text can be read in the foreground : 1482-J F NAGY CSP CO COMANDER NOVEMBER 1943 US NAVAL TRAINING STATION GREAT LAKES MI NOTE: Opened in 1911, Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only Boot Camp. Black Americans have been in the United States Navy since the early years of the Republic, but their numbers had always been small. Camp Robert Smalls, the first Black American recruit camp at the Great Lakes training station in World War II, was named for an African American man who rendered distinguished service to the Federal Navy in the Civil War. Beginning June 1, 1942, Black Americans might enlist for general service as well as in the Messman branch.