Atlanta Daily World

Crew On U. S. S. Brazos Blazed Enemy Out Of Sky

OKINAWA - (Delayed) - Now that the Japs have capitulated and more details of major actions can be told, it is revealed officially that Negro sailors, both afloat and ashore had an integral part in helping Uncle Sam's fighting forces bring the enemy to his knees on Okinawa, last stop on the road to Tokyo.

A commendation from SOPA (senior officer present afloat), Rear Admiral I. N. Kiland at Kerama Retto near Okinawa to the USS BRAZOS, read in part: The results of your efforts contributed materially to the success of the operations. Under trying and difficult circumstances you performed your duty in an outstanding manner."

GUN CREW

The USS BRAZOS is manned by a crew which includes a number of Negro sailors, many of whom are in general service and who have won their chevrons as gunner's mates motor machinist's mates. machinist's mates, and other ratings.

The BRAZOS dropped anchor for the Okinawa invasion four days before the Easter Sunday assault and took up a position to play her part in the action. For 86 days she stood by, going to battle stations at the sound of "general quarters" 102 times during that period and fueling 575 ships without costly delay.

On April 6, for example, "general quarters sounded four times as enemy airplanes swept in to strike, but nevertheless the BRAZOS fueled nine ships that day.

Among the Negroes aboard here during the series of engagements were: William W. Booker, seaman, second class, 2009 Meridian street, Philadelphia, Penna.; Ernest J. Armstead, seaman. second class, 26 Charles street. New Haven, Conn.: Walter Palmer, gunner's mate, third class. Star Route, Mariposa, Calif.:
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Odis Robinson, Jr., seaman, second class. 169 Stuyvesant Ave. Brooklyn, N. Y.; Ernest F. Camp, cox- swain, Mapleton, Ore.; William C Moore, seaman, first class, 1522 S Bouvier St., Philadelphia, Penna.; McFarland A. Bragg, machinist's mate, third class, 1538 Pillow St.. Memphis, Tenn.; Bernard P. Ed- wards. machinist's mate, first class. 1717 West 56th St.. Seattle, Wash.. and John H. Leathers, machinist's mate. third class. 2038 West West- moreland Street, Philadelphia, Pa.