On our scope naval history magazine february 2015 volume. Most of america fought two different enemies in world war two. Lieutenant william blackford was the commanding officer. June 4, 1922 october 22, 2004 was an africanamerican pioneer in the united states navy the first african american in the u. The de529 was named for navy ensign newton henry mason. The unofficial but more complete history, 1945 to 1970. With world war ii on the horizon, james graham, then 19, knew america needed millions of patriots to defend the countrys borders. Two days before the united states became involved in. Uss mason, uss pc1264, and the africanamerican crews.
Jan 11, 2019 in the decades that followed, none of the mason crewmen would see any official navy recognition for successfully breaking the color barrier. The third mason, a guided missile destroyer ddg87, was named in honor of the predominantly african american crewmen of the second mason de529. That began changing in the spring of 1944 with the commissioning of the mason de529 and pc1264, the navys first ships with predominantly africanamerican crews. The first ship to bear the name mason was named for john young mason, who was secretary of.
Naval history and heritage command photograph, nh 106729. Uss mason, uss pc1264, and the africanamerican crews during. Two days before the united states became involved in 1942, he left t. The book served as the basis for a public broadcasting service. The majority of her crew was comprised of africanamerican sailors, eventually. Uss mason was named in honor of ensign newton henry mason, usnr, a pilot with fighting squadron three, who was killed in action during the battle of coral sea, 78 may 1942. Mason served as convoy escort in the atlantic through the remainder of world war ii. Uss mason has been the name of more than one united states navy ship, and may refer to. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the national archives. This is not a forum for general discussion of the articles subject put new text under old text. Uss mason de529, an evartsclass destroyer escort, was the second ship of the united. It was the only major warship of world war ii served by a predominately. Masons de529 crew mustered in dress blues on the ships bow while moored at new york harbor, new york.
In 1994, the surviving members of the uss mason, received the award due them for their heroic actions at sea during wwii. Uss mason ddg 87 arleigh burke class guided missile destroyer. Feb 18, 2018 the uss mason, de529, was a destroyer escort constructed in the charlestown navy yard. Exhibit offers insight into african american wwii sailors. On board the uss mason knowledge bank the ohio state. The second mason de529 was laid down by the boston navy yard. Administrative history of the first naval district in world war. Photograph from the bureau of ships collection in the u.
This book tells the story of these brave africanamerican. Blackford, usnr, is in the center with some of the crew standing in ranks behind him. Sailors of the uss mason, poster 12 x 18 uss mason facts. The vessel was part of the evartsclass destroyer escort, with the responsibility of providing protection for other naval vessels in the atlantic ocean. Uss mason was one of two us navy ships with largely africanamerican crews in world war ii. Bermingham de530 launching, at the boston navy yard, massachusetts, 17 november 1943. The uboat war in world war two kriegsmarine, 19391945 and world war one kaiserliche marine, 19141918 and the allied efforts to counter the threat. Like the wwii ship the present mason had also been in harms way, facing attack in the red sea. It was the only major warship of world war ii served by a predominately africanamerican crew from. During the attack against uss mason ddg87, the ships crew fired the missiles to defend the guidedmissile destroyer and nearby uss ponce afsbi15 from two suspected cruise missiles fired. Uss mason ddg87 proudly we serve launched in 2001 and still on active duty she is an arleigh burke class guided missile destroyer. Uss mason ddg 87 arleigh burke class guided missile. Registration and communicating with shipmates at is free forever. First predominately negro ship commissioned uss mason de529.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The uss mason, de529, was a destroyer escort constructed in the charlestown navy yard. Uss mason at the boston naval yard, 1944 history by zim. Uss mason, a 1140ton evarts class destroyer escort, was constructed at the. The uss mason fighting jim crow most of america fought two different enemies in world war two. Mason makes historic trip to northern ireland irish. Two african american sailors standing in front of the uss mason at the boston navy yard in 1944. The images listed below are not in the naval history and heritage commands collections. The uss mason de529 was commissioned on march 20, 1944, with a crew of 150 africanamerican enlisted men and six officers. The vessel was part of the evartsclass destroyer escort, with the responsibility of providing protection for other naval vessels in the. Navy celebrates 2016 african americanblack history month. Compiled by a bestselling author, this collective memoir relates their experiences as part of the navys tentative move toward racial integration during the war.
Speed of 21 knots, with 6 officers, and 150 black enlisted men. Mason dd 852 us navy korean war project almost three thousand units pages are available at the korean war project. The left facing lion symbolizes the service and sacrifice of ensign newton henry mason in the battle of the coral sea. Mar 06, 2020 this post is a continuation of the midwatch in verse series. During battles with german u boats and their heroic defiance a horrific storm that ripped open their ship. The uss mason was one of two us navy ships with largely africanamerican crews in world war ii. Uss mason 7274 for providing details on the cruise of 7273 and a copy of the cruise book.
On april 12, 2003, the crew of de529 was further honored by the navy with the. The opposing lions, which are adapted from the mason family coat of arms, represent the world war ii pacific and atlantic campaigns. The uss mason battles uboats and bigots american heritage. Feb 08, 2012 uss mason featured at newport news museum. Navy to serve aboard a fighting ship as an officer, the first to command a navy ship, the first fleet commander, and the first to become a flag officer, retiring as a vice admiral.
This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the uss mason de529 article. The africanamerican crew of the mason made history in world war ii by escorting six convoys across the atlantic performing the duties of all ranks and rates and rescuing twenty vessels during a fierce storm. The opportunity to celebrate the rich history we share was incomparable, and many of the sailors will remember it for a lifetime, much like our namesake, the great men of u. The men of the uss mason, did 67 former sailors of de529 receive a commendation from president bill clinton.
Given that this month is black history month, i decided to honor an almost unique ship in the us navy during wwii. This post is a continuation of the midwatch in verse series. The mason gave black sailors a chance to prove their mettle against those who said they were incapable of handling a warship. The first ship to bear the name mason was named for john young mason, who was secretary of the navy for presidents john tyler and james k. This is not a forum for general discussion of the articles subject. Published on feb 18, 2018 the uss mason, de529, was a destroyer escort constructed in the charlestown navy yard. Ensign mason was posthumously awarded the distinguished flying cross for his skill and courage in the battle.
Uss mason de529, an evartsclass destroyer escort, was the second ship of the united states navy to be named mason, though de529 was the only one specifically named for ensign newton henry mason. Quite honestly, this was so poorly written, directed and, in general, produced that we fastforwarded to the last several minutes. The ship escorted six convoys across the north atlantic. Alderman, usnr, right explains various parts of a signal lamp to sm2c julius holmes, during training for mason s crew at norfolk naval training station, virginia, 3 january 1944. The following list features some of these photographs. Gravely was born on june 4, 1922 in richmond, virginia. Proud dvd b ased on the true and heroic story of the uss mason, a navy battleship manned by an africanamerican crew during wwii, when segregation was still enforced based on the book proudly we served by mary pat kelly proudly we served. Few americans are familiar with the uss mason, a wwii warship manned by a predominantly black crew that served as a role model for the integration of u. Alderman, usnr, right explains various parts of a signal lamp to sm2c julius holmes, during training for masons crew at norfolk naval training station, virginia, 3 january 1944. But, due to the bigoted attitudes of the time, they never received the unit citation until 50 years later. Oct 11, 2016 during the attack against uss mason ddg87, the ships crew fired the missiles to defend the guidedmissile destroyer and nearby uss ponce afsbi15 from two suspected cruise missiles fired. By the time the mason was decommissioned, all the chief petty officers were black.
Few americans know the historychanging story of the men of the uss mason. Proudly we served by mary pat kelly overdrive rakuten. Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the navy. O nome do navio e uma homenagem ao piloto newton henry mason 19181942, combatente da segunda guerra mundial 7. The commander put the uss mason de529 up for a letter of commendation in 1944. Black crew of world war ii navy ship recognized for heroism the. Uss mason dd191, a destroyer in commission from 1920 to 1922 and from 1939 to 1940 uss mason de529, a destroyer escort in commission from 1944 to 1945 uss mason ddg87, a destroyer in commission since 2003 see also. Records of naval districts and shore establishments, 1784 2000. It was the only major warship of world war ii served by a predominately africanamerican crew from 19441945. Embroidered military patch u s navy ship destroyer uss mason. In march 1944, evartsclass destroyer escort uss mason de529 was commissioned. This article is within the scope of the military history wikiproject. The mason was the only vessel in the segregated, world war ii navy in. Mason decommissioned in october 1945 and was sold for scrapping in march 1947.
She was named primarily in honor of the crew of a previously named uss mason, a destroyer escort de529. In the decades that followed, none of the mason crewmen would see any official navy recognition for successfully breaking the color barrier. A new motion picture brings to the screen the story of 160 young african americans, who fought german uboats in the atlantic and racism at home during world war ii, as members of the u. For most of the war, about the only black sailors who got to sea were mess attendants, stewards, and cooks. The second mason de529 was laid down by the boston navy yard, boston, massachusetts, in 14 october 1943 and launched 17 november 1943. Administrative history of the first naval district in world war ii, 1946 1946 record group 181. William blackford, was at submarine chaser school in miami when he was notified of his new command, one that would comprise colored personnel. The opposing lions, which are adapted from the mason family coatofarms, represent the world war ii pacific and atlantic campaigns.
Narrated by actor ossie davis, the film interweaves the personal stories of individual crew members with. Uss mason de529 was manned by predominately black sailors during wwii. In 1997, only due to mary pat kellys research and book, proudly we served. Uss mason at the boston naval yard naid 6210481 the uss mason de529 was commissioned on march 20, 1944, with a crew of 150 africanamerican enlisted men and six officers. Her commanding officer, lieutenant commander william m. We ask that you enter only enough information about yourself that your shipmates can recall you.
In 1994, the surviving members of the uss mason, received the award. Nevertheless, the service generally restricted blacks to serving in. Past posts focused on deck logs from the uss maryland and uss huse. Ship launched november 17, 1943 at boston navy yards pier 6. Signalman lorenzo dufau and the destroyer escort mason the. Launched in 2001 and still on active duty she is an arleigh burke class guided missile destroyer.
The deck log verse highlighted in this post was written by, then lieutenant jg william w. Uss mason fired 3 missiles to defend from yemen cruise. First predominately negro ship commissioned uss mason de529, boston, massachusetts download the file. Uss mason ddg 87 is the third ship to bear the name and is the 37th ship of the arleigh burke class of aegis guided missile destroyers.
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