African-American sailors pose proudly with their ship, USS Mason (DE-529). She was one of two US Navy ships crewed largely by African-American sailors during World War II. The other ship was USS PC-1264, a submarine chaser. The performance of the two crews led the U.S. Navy to reevaluate its perception of African Americans as members of the fleet.
Photographed while moored at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, during her commissioning ceremony on March 20, 1944.
lonestarbattleship
