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Story
October 3, 1941
St. Paul Recorder
Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
Dr. Harold J. Franklin, a Negro interne from Jersey City, passed all written, oral, and physical exams for U.S. Navy assistant surgeon in 1941 but was rejected, likely due to his race, as determined by the N.A.A.C.P., which protested to Secretary Knox.
Merged-components note: Merged title on page 2 with body on page 1 for the story about the U.S. Navy barring a Negro doctor after passing exams.
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U.S. Navy Bars Negro
Doctor After He Passes
All Exams Given Him
(See Bannarn's Cartoon on Page 2)
New York, N. Y.-The United States Navy does not want Dr. Harold J. Franklin of Jersey City, N. J., as assistant surgeon with the rank of junior lieutenant even though he has passed all examinations written, oral and physical—necessary for that post.
Dr. Franklin, who is now an interne at Medical Center in Jersey City, brought all the documents in his case to the office of the N. A. A. C. P. here, including the final word from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the Navy Department: "You did not meet physical qualifications for appointment."
Dr. Franklin wrote to the Navy May 25, 1941, and on May 27, he received a letter containing a circular, instructions for filing his application, and information that the next examination for appointment in the medical corps of the Navy would be held August 11 to 15, inclusive.
Proof that the Navy is anxious to secure surgeons may be seen in the cordial tone of the letter, whose salutation was "Dear Dr. Franklin," and whose ending contained the phrase "With kind regards."
Under date of July 21, Dr. Franklin was notified to report to the Naval Hospital at Brooklyn, N. Y., at 9 a. m. August 11 for the examination.
On the back of that letter is an official endorsement from the U. S. Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., signed by P. P. Maher, which states "examined and found physically qualified for appointment as Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Navy with the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade)."
Later in August, Dr. Franklin found that he had passed both the written and oral examinations, and, since he had been certified as physically fit, he awaited notice of his appointment. When no notice was received, he finally wired the Navy Department in Washington, and on September 11 received a telegram stating "You did not meet physical qualifications for appointment."
Puzzled by this apparent contradiction, Dr. Franklin wrote the Bureau a letter immediately, and on September 15 received a letter which added no information to that contained in the telegram. The letter merely states "A review of the report of physical examination conducted on August 11, 1941, shows that you do not meet the physical requirements for appointment as Assistant Surgeon."
In contrast to the cordial tone of the first letter received by Dr. Franklin on May 25, the letter of September 15 is strictly business-like, beginning "Dear Sir."
Dr. Franklin, who is light in complexion, told the N. A. A. C. P. that the only possible reason he could imagine for the reversal of opinion by the Navy Department on his fitness was that somewhere in going over his record the Navy found out that he was actually a Negro.
By its actions in the case, the Navy once more demonstrates that it is determined to prevent the enlistment of any Negro above the rank of mess attendant.
A protest on the Franklin case has been sent Secretary Frank Knox of the Navy by the N. A. A. C. P.
The Case of Young Doctor Franklin (American But Negro)
Doctor After He Passes
All Exams Given Him
(See Bannarn's Cartoon on Page 2)
New York, N. Y.-The United States Navy does not want Dr. Harold J. Franklin of Jersey City, N. J., as assistant surgeon with the rank of junior lieutenant even though he has passed all examinations written, oral and physical—necessary for that post.
Dr. Franklin, who is now an interne at Medical Center in Jersey City, brought all the documents in his case to the office of the N. A. A. C. P. here, including the final word from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the Navy Department: "You did not meet physical qualifications for appointment."
Dr. Franklin wrote to the Navy May 25, 1941, and on May 27, he received a letter containing a circular, instructions for filing his application, and information that the next examination for appointment in the medical corps of the Navy would be held August 11 to 15, inclusive.
Proof that the Navy is anxious to secure surgeons may be seen in the cordial tone of the letter, whose salutation was "Dear Dr. Franklin," and whose ending contained the phrase "With kind regards."
Under date of July 21, Dr. Franklin was notified to report to the Naval Hospital at Brooklyn, N. Y., at 9 a. m. August 11 for the examination.
On the back of that letter is an official endorsement from the U. S. Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., signed by P. P. Maher, which states "examined and found physically qualified for appointment as Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Navy with the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade)."
Later in August, Dr. Franklin found that he had passed both the written and oral examinations, and, since he had been certified as physically fit, he awaited notice of his appointment. When no notice was received, he finally wired the Navy Department in Washington, and on September 11 received a telegram stating "You did not meet physical qualifications for appointment."
Puzzled by this apparent contradiction, Dr. Franklin wrote the Bureau a letter immediately, and on September 15 received a letter which added no information to that contained in the telegram. The letter merely states "A review of the report of physical examination conducted on August 11, 1941, shows that you do not meet the physical requirements for appointment as Assistant Surgeon."
In contrast to the cordial tone of the first letter received by Dr. Franklin on May 25, the letter of September 15 is strictly business-like, beginning "Dear Sir."
Dr. Franklin, who is light in complexion, told the N. A. A. C. P. that the only possible reason he could imagine for the reversal of opinion by the Navy Department on his fitness was that somewhere in going over his record the Navy found out that he was actually a Negro.
By its actions in the case, the Navy once more demonstrates that it is determined to prevent the enlistment of any Negro above the rank of mess attendant.
A protest on the Franklin case has been sent Secretary Frank Knox of the Navy by the N. A. A. C. P.
The Case of Young Doctor Franklin (American But Negro)
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Justice
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Navy Discrimination
Negro Doctor
Racial Rejection
Naacp Protest
Franklin Case
Military Enlistment
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Harold J. Franklin
P. P. Maher
Frank Knox
N. A. A. C. P.
Where did it happen?
New York, N. Y.; Jersey City, N. J.; Brooklyn, N. Y.; Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. Harold J. Franklin
P. P. Maher
Frank Knox
N. A. A. C. P.
Location
New York, N. Y.; Jersey City, N. J.; Brooklyn, N. Y.; Washington
Event Date
1941
Story Details
Dr. Franklin passed all Navy exams for assistant surgeon but was rejected on physical grounds after initial approval, suspected due to his Negro race; N.A.A.C.P. protested to Navy Secretary Knox.