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The Golden Thirteen by Paul Stillwell

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The Golden Thirteen

Publisher
Tantor Media, Inc
Publish Date
24 November 2010
Run Time
8 hours 30 minutes
Format
Audiobook
$13.95

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What to expect

In January 1944, sixteen black enlisted men gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois to begin a cram course that would turn them into the U.S. Navy's first African American officers on active duty. The men believed that if they failed they would set back the course of racial justice, so they banded together and all sixteen passed the course. Twelve were commissioned as ensigns and a thirteenth was made a warrant officer.



Years later, these pioneers came to be known as the Golden Thirteen, but at the outset they were treated more as pariahs than pioneers. Often denied the privileges and respect routinely accorded white naval officers, they were given menial assignments unworthy of their abilities and training. Yet despite this discrimination, these inspirational young men broke new ground and opened the door for generations to come.



In 1986, oral historian Paul Stillwell began recording the memories of the surviving members of the Golden Thirteen. He also interviewed three white officers who served with and supported the efforts of these men during World War II. This book collects their stories.

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Details

Author
Paul Stillwell
Narrator
Alan Bomar Jones
Duration
8 hours 30 minutes
Release Date
24 November 2010
ISBN
9781400189076
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Tantor Media, Inc
Genre
History, Military history, Ethnic studies, Naval forces and warfare

Synopsis

In January 1944, sixteen black enlisted men gathered at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois to begin a cram course that would turn them into the U.S. Navy's first African American officers on active duty. The men believed that if they failed they would set back the course of racial justice, so they banded together and all sixteen passed the course. Twelve were commissioned as ensigns and a thirteenth was made a warrant officer. Years later, these pioneers came to be known as the Golden Thirteen, but at the outset they were treated more as pariahs than pioneers. Often denied the privileges and respect routinely accorded white naval officers, they were given menial assignments unworthy of their abilities and training. Yet despite this discrimination, these inspirational young men broke new ground and opened the door for generations to come. In 1986, oral historian Paul Stillwell began recording the memories of the surviving members of the Golden Thirteen. He also interviewed three white officers who served with and supported the efforts of these men during World War II. This book collects their stories.

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