From Court Martial to Exoneration: Remembering Port Chicago

Eighty-one years ago, 320 people died in a massive explosion at a Navy munitions depot in Port Chicago, California. About two-thirds of those killed were Black sailors who loaded bombs and ammunition onto ships. When a large contingent of Black sailors refused to resume handling the explosives, they were convicted of mutiny and were court-martialed. Reflective of the Navy’s personnel policies at the time, which barred African Americans from nearly all seagoing endeavors, the disaster, and subsequent punishment of the men sparked an ongoing dialogue about race and social justice in America. After a series of investigations and litigation, it was found that despite the sailor’s bravery and dedication to duty, they had been unfairly victimized and punished. On July 17, 2024, Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro officially exonerated all 256 sailors involved in the incident. This included fifty sailors who came to be known as the Port Chicago 50—who were court martialed, dishonorably discharged, and reduced in rank.

Join Museum registrar, Wesley Schwenk as he gives a historical overview of this complex chapter in the navy’s modern social history.

About the Speaker: Wesley Schwenk is currently the registrar for the National Museum of the United States Navy. He received his BA in History from Pennsylvania State University and his MA in History with a concentration in Public History from La Salle University. He has worked with multiple local historical societies, the Independence Seaport Museum, the National Park Service at Valley Forge National Historical Park, the National Archives, and the Naval History and Heritage Command. He joined the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in the spring of 2019.

Note: This program takes place at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin St NE. This program is free and open to everyone. Register here on Eventbrite.

Host or Publisher National Museum of the United States Navy