On July 17, 2024, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, 78th Secretary of the Navy, announced the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50. These men were charged and convicted of mutiny after refusing to return to work when conditions that led to the death of 320 people and the injury of hundreds more were never properly addressed. The exoneration also included 206 sailors charged in a Summary Court-Martial and dishonorably discharged for initially refusing to return to work but then capitulating under threat of punishment up to and including death. The sailors wanted the Navy to implement new safety measures as well as deploy safety equipment and training. This position was in response to the deadly explosions that took place on July 17, 1944, during World War II, when the E.A. Bryan and the S.S. Quinault Victory were being loaded with ammunition bound for the Pacific war effort.
A broad coalition spearheaded by 20+ years of advocacy by the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial, civil rights, religious, veterans, and other advocates for social justice worked together to bring awareness of this injustice to the forefront. These groups worked tirelessly seeking justice for the convicted and imprisoned men, all of whom are no longer with us. This exoneration rights an 80-year wrong and acknowledges the impact this travesty has caused for the men, the stain on their military records, and the burden left to bear by their descendants many of whom did not find out about this period of history until years later.
During the 80th Commemoration of the Port Chicago Disaster at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Secretary Del Toro shared the rationale for exonerating not only the Port Chicago 50 but also the 206 Sailors who were given Summary Courts-Martial and Bad Conduct Discharges. “After a thorough review of the case and related materials, the General Counsel of the Navy concluded that there were significant legal errors during the courts-martial” according to a release published by the Navy.
In attendance was a host of supporters including Rev. Diana McDaniel, President of the Friends of Port Chicago, Thurgood Marshall, Jr. and Tracy Roosevelt, granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt. Additionally, former U.S. Representative George Miller who was responsible for the Port Chicago National Memorial coming into existence and current U.S. Representative John Garamendi along with Shanelle Scales-Preston on behalf of U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier. Shanelle Scales-Preston also read an acknowledgement from Vice President Kamala Harris. This annual commemoration is hosted by the National Park Service.
To learn more about the Port Chicago story, read The Port Chicago Mutiny: The Story of the Largest Mass Mutiny Trial in U.S. Naval History written by the late Dr. Robert L. Allen or listen to the audiobook of the same title.
The power of justice triumphs!
Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial 