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In mid-1942, the Navy began accepting African-American enlistments for general service. Recruits received initial training at Camp Robert Smalls, a part of the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois. Many men went on to specialized training there, and at other bases in the United States.
This page features views of African-Americans in Wartime recruit companies, inspections, and shop training at Great Lakes, and provides links to other photographs taken there.
For other pictorial coverage of African-Americans during World War II, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy -- World War II cover page.
For pictorial coverage of other eras, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.
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.The following pictures feature African-Americans in recruit
companies, inspections, and shop training at Great Lakes during
World War II.
For additional views of Wartime training and other activities
at Great Lakes, see:
Graduation Ceremonies;
Field & Military Training;
Shore Patrol Training;
Recreation and Sports and
Visiting Entertainers, Political Figures and
Celebrities.
Photo #: 80-G-43078 Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois Company 833, made up of African-American recruits, in formation on 20 August 1943. The company was entered in the station's "Hall of Fame", established by the Great Lakes weekly newspaper to honor "crack" recruits. Company Honor Man was Robert F. Gervin, Company Clerk. William H. Walker was Apprentice Chief Petty Officer. Simon Fouse was Master-at-Arms. Note flags. Left one features a rooster. Right flag is the Navy Battalion Flag, with "N.T.S. Great Lakes" written across its top. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 152KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-43080 Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois Company 761, an African-American recruit unit, photographed on 20 August 1943. The company was entered in the station's "Hall of Fame", established by the Great Lakes weekly newspaper to honor "crack" recruits. Company Honor Man was Andrew McNeil, Apprentice Chief Petty Officer. Andrew J. Morrison was Company Clerk and Allan Jackson was Master-at-Arms. Note "E" flag, at right in the front rank. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 132KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-294731 Camp Robert Smalls, Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois A Navy Captain inspects Service School personnel, 2 April 1943. Note band playing in the left background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-294920 Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois Members of the tenth class to graduate from the Negro Service School examine a Wright "Whirlwind" aircraft engine during their training, 15 September 1943. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-294863 Camp Robert Smalls, Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois Shop training for the first class to attend the Negro Service School for Machinist's Mates, 30 July 1943. Men in the foreground are working with metal lathes. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 130KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-294865 Camp Robert Smalls, Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois A Chief Petty Officer instructs members of the first class to attend the Negro Service School for Machinist's Mates, 30 July 1943. Note use of plastic goggles for eye protection. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
For additional views of Wartime training and other activities
at Great Lakes, see:
Graduation Ceremonies;
Field & Military Training;
Shore Patrol Training;
Recreation and Sports and
Visiting Entertainers, Political Figures and
Celebrities.
For other pictorial coverage of African-Americans during World War II, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy -- World War II cover page.
For pictorial coverage of other eras, see the African Americans and the U.S. Navy cover page.
Return to
Naval Historical Center home page.
10 December 1998