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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- TOPICS --

African-Americans and the U.S. Navy -- The "Golden Thirteen"

In February 1944, the Navy commissioned its first African-American officers. This long-hoped-for action represented a major step forward in the status of African-Americans in the Navy and in American society. The twelve commissioned officers, and a warrant officer who received his rank at the same time, came to be known as the "Golden Thirteen".

The following pictures feature the "Golden Thirteen", as a group and as individuals.

For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page; and
African-Americans and the U.S. Navy during World War II

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 95624

"The Golden Thirteen",
the first African-American U.S. Navy Officers


Photographed 17 March 1944.
They are (bottom row, left to right):
Ensign James E. Hare, USNR;
Ensign Samuel E. Barnes, USNR;
Ensign George C. Cooper, USNR;
Ensign William S. White, USNR;
Ensign Dennis D. Nelson, USNR;
(middle row, left to right):
Ensign Graham E. Martin, USNR;
Warrant Officer Charles B. Lear, USNR;
Ensign Phillip G. Barnes, USNR;
Ensign Reginald E. Goodwin, USNR;
(top row, left to right):
Ensign John W. Reagan, USNR;
Ensign Jesse W. Arbor, USNR;
Ensign Dalton L. Baugh, USNR;
Ensign Frank E. Sublett, USNR.

Courtesy of Surface Warfare Magazine, 1982.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 69KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-300215

First African-American U.S. Navy Officers


Photographed in February 1944, soon after attaining officer rank in the Naval Reserve.
They are (seated in front row, left-to-right):
Ensign George C. Cooper, USNR;
Ensign Graham E. Martin, USNR;
Ensign Jesse W. Arbor, USNR;
Ensign John W. Reagan, USNR;
Ensign Reginald E. Goodwin, USNR;
(standing in back row, left-to-right):
Ensign Dennis D. Nelson, USNR;
Ensign Phillip G. Barnes, USNR;
Ensign Samuel E. Barnes, USNR;
Ensign Dalton L. Baugh, USNR;
Ensign James E. Hare, USNR;
Ensign Frank E. Sublett, USNR;
Warrant Boatswain Charles B. Lear, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-300191

Ensign Jesse W. Arbor, USNR


Photographed on 17 March 1944.
He was one of the Navy's first group of African-American officers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 44KB; 575 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-300192

Jesse W. Arbor


Photographed in U.S. Navy enlisted uniform, probably during his initial training. Photograph is dated 17 March 1944, but was probably taken earlier.
He was one of the Navy's first group of African-American officers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 49KB; 595 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-300211

Ensign Frank E. Sublett, USNR


Photographed 17 March 1944.
He was a member of the Navy's first group of African-American officers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 52KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-300212

Frank E. Sublett


Photographed in U.S. Navy enlisted uniform, probably during his initial training. Photograph is dated 17 March 1944, but was probably taken earlier.
He was one of the Navy's first group of African-American officers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 55KB; 585 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: NH 95625

Reunion of early African-American U.S. Navy Officers


On board USS Kidd (DDG-993) in April 1982.
They are (seated, left to right):
Jesse W. Arbor;
Dalton L. Baugh;
William S. White;
Samuel E. Barnes;
(standing, left to right):
George C. Cooper;
James E. Hare;
John W. Reagan;
Graham E. Martin;
Wesley A. Brown;
Frank E. Sublett.
Brown was the first African-American graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. The others were members of "the Golden Thirteen", the first African-American Navy officers, who were commissioned in 1944.

Courtesy of Surface Warfare Magazine, 1982.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 101KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 


For further pictorial coverage, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page; and
African-Americans and the U.S. Navy during World War II

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

6 December 1998