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Adopt a resolution in recognition of the 75th Anniversaries of the Port Chicago Mutiny, the Port Chicago 50, and the July 17, 1944 Port Chicago Explosion
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Monica Brown requests that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution in recognition of the 75th Anniversaries of the Port Chicago Mutiny, the Port Chicago 50, and the July 17, 1944 Port Chicago Explosion
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 there will be a dedication of the Port Chicago 50-Vallejo Memorial honoring the bravery of a group of World War II African American sailors who, against nearly insurmountable odds, stood up for their rights. The City of Vallejo will be placing a plaque at the dedication site. Congressman Thompson, Senator Dodd, Assemblymember Grayson and Mayor Sampayan will be in attendance, including local historians Sharon McGriff-Payne and Brendan Riley who will share the history of the event.
On July 17, 1944, 332 sailors and service members were killed at Port Chicago Naval Ammunition Depot. More than 700 were injured following the massive explosion at the facility. There were 202 African American sailors killed in the explosion, considered the deadliest Homefront disaster during World War II. The explosion occurred while the men were loading munitions on ships bound for the World War II war front. During the war years of the 1940s, the dangerous job of loading munitions was often done by African American sailors.
Two weeks following the explosion, the surviving sailors were housed in the segregated barracks at the foot of Ryder Street in Vallejo. This area was an extension of Mare Island Navy Yard. Around August 9, the sailors were ordered to return to work loading munitions. At least 250 sailors refused, citing the same dangerous conditions existed that had killed their colleague’s weeks earlier. Naval officials threatened the sailors, even telling them they could face hanging. While most of the 250 sailors would receive some form of punishment for their work stoppage and would, 50 of the sailors were ultimately charged with mutiny. On October 24, 1944, the 50 sailors were convicted following court martial trial and they were sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. It was the Vallejo NAACP, under the leadership of Frank Shipp, who played a role in getting the word out via the African American press that the sailors had been charged with mutiny.
The tragedy of the Port Chicago explosion and the subsequent mistreatment of the African American sailors helped shine light on rampant racial discrimination within the then segregated military. The Port Chicago 50 mutiny trial as well as numerous other racially charged incidents involving African American service members, eventually led to changes within the Armed Forces and the subsequent integration of America’s military in 1948.
A 1994 review of the trials revealed race played a large factor in the harsh sentences. In December 1999, President Clinton pardoned Freddie Meeks, one of only three of the 50 convicted sailors known to be alive at the time.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and included in the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended however because the Port Chicago mutiny was a historic event that took place in Solano County. It is important to honor the memory of those who fought for what is right.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION