Atlanta Daily World

Naval Personnel At Port Chicago Praised
WASHINGTON-(SNS)- Negro Naval personnel attached to both the Naval magazine at Port Chicago, California, and the Naval ammunition depot at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, acquitted themselves with "great credit," during the explosion at Port Chicago Monday night, according to Captain Merrill T. Kinne, U.S.N.R., Commanding Officer. "Under those emergency conditions," he said, "regular members of our complement and volunteers from Mare Island displayed admirable coolness and bravery."

LARGE PERCENTAGE
Negro bluejackets comprise a large percentage of the Port Chicago Naval establishment enlisted personnel. Captain Kinne said it was difficult to single out individuals who participated in rescue and preventive operations at Port Chicago. Four Negro enlisted men did, however, move boldly into a danger area around boxcars loaded with ammunition and quell flames, he said. They were Richard L. McTere, Seaman, First Class, of Detroit, Michigan; William E. Anderson, Seaman, First Class, of Chicago, Illinois; E. S. Allen, Seaman, First Class, of Detroit; John Andrew Haskins, Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, of Washington, D.C.

200 VOLUNTEERS
Some 200 Negro sailors volunteered at one at the Ammunition Depot, Mare Island for service at Port Chicago during the emergency Monday night. Declaring their conduct outstanding, Captain Kinne named the following led in courageous pursuit of their duty: Richard E. Webb, Gunner's Mate, Second Class, of Chicago; Bernard N. Claggett, Gunner's Mate Second Class, of Los Angeles; Ivan A. Hoyle, Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class, of Chicago; James A. Martinez, Carpenter's Mate, Second Class, of Shreveport, Louisiana; Floyd E. Scarbroish, Motor Machinist's Mate, Third Class, of Washington, D.C.; Harry Fortune, Seaman, First Class, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Wayman R. Nelson, Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class, of Kansas City, Kansas; Robert Lee Williams, Electrician's Mate, Third Class, of Lexington, Kentucky; William T. Harris, Shipfitter, Third Class, of Bloomfield, New Jersey; William H. DeWitt, Seaman, Second Class, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Edward Harrington, Pharmacist's Mate, Third Class, of New York City; Archie B. Covington, Hospital Apprentice, First Class, of Chicago.

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Naval Removal
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