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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...
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