The Merchant Marine

Photos of Merchant Marine, Maritime Commission, Cadet Corps, seamen, Harriet Tubman, ensign

We have gathered a collection of some of the best and most moving photos taken of African-American soldiers during the Second World War. They are from the National Archives in Washington D.C.
Please browse at your leisure. Meditate on the sacrifices given by these men and women in wartime.

This page is dedicated to African Americans in the Merchant Marine

Captain and crew of a new Liberty Ship [SS Booker T. Washington] just after it completed its maiden voyage to England. (L-R) C. Lastic, Second Mate; T. J. Young, Midshipman; E. B. Hlubik, Midshipman; C. Blackman, Radio Operator; T. A. Smith, Chief Engineer; Hugh Mulzac, Captain of the ship; Adolphus Fokes, Chief Mate; Lt. H. Kruley; E. P. Rutland, Second Engineer; and H. E. Larson, Third Engineer. Captain Hugh Mulzac is fourth from the left on the first row. February 8, 1943. Baum. 111-SC-180665. Reginald Brandon recently completed the eight-month course in Radio Operations and Maintenance at Gallup's Island [MA] Radio Training School of the Maritime Commission. He is the first Negro graduate of the school. Upon assignment he will have the rank of ensign. N.d. Roger Smith. 208-NP-5P-1.
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Ens. Joseph Banks Williams first Negro to graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps, has been assigned to active duty on the S.S. Booker T. Washington N.d. 208-NP-5R-1 Members of a 'CHECKERBOARD' crew that brought a Liberty Ship from the U.S. to England, fondle their mascot 'BOOKER.' (L-R) R. C. Woods, A. M. Mulzac, W. B. Shepard, and S. O'Neil. February 6, 1943. Baum. 111-SC-180663.
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A seaman with the U.S. Maritime Service. N.d. 208-NP-3ZZ-4. Two U.S. Maritime Service seamen in front of a 4th War Loan poster. N.d. 208-NP-3ZZ-3.
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Artist George Wright, an American merchant seaman, presents to Russian Captain Orset Chevstov a painting depicting a Soviet woman war worker and an American seaman unloading a U.S. Lend-Lease tank at a Soviet port August 18, 1944. Wide World Photos. 208-N-31563 A mariner in the U.S. Maritime Service. N.d. 208-NP-3ZZ-2.
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Lt.(jg.) Stanly Marlowe Smith, U.S. Maritime Service; [Mrs. Marion H. Elliott] Assistant Executive Secretary of the National Council of Negro Women; and Mrs. B.L. Derrick, Chairman. Lt. Smith is pictured at a war bond rally in Washington, DC, where he spoke and was honored. August 8, 1944. 357-G-83-4308. Clifford R. Jenkins, Jr. After a course at the Cooks and Bakers School at the U.S. Maritime Training Base, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn [NY], is now baking for merchant seamen aboard the [SS] Patrick Henry, first Liberty Ship launched. N.d. 357-G-93-548.
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Capt. Clifton Lastic, Master of Liberty Ship [SS] Bert Williams chats with Joe Curran, President of N.M.U. [National Maritime Union]. The SS Bert Williams is named for an African-American comedian. N.d. 357-G-86-510. Aboard a Victory ship en route to the Pacific war zone, Chief Mate Earl Stanfield coaches Bos'n Maxie Weisbarth (with whiskers) in mysteries of navigation. N.d. 357-G-98-5728.
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Arnold R. Fesser, oiler, 17 years at sea: `We got a big job to do until this war is won. We will keep them sailing until the end. Then we have got time for holidays. October 14, 1944. 357-G-203-4690. The launching party for the SS Harriet Tubman. June 3, 1944.Guy Nicholas. 208-NP-5E-3.
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