The following list features some of these photographs. About 15 of the convoys 50odd tugboats, barges and oilers many never designed for a transoceanic voyage, let alone the hostile north atlantic simply disappeared into the gray, swirling drink below. Uss mason was one of two us navy ships with largely africanamerican crews in world war ii. A previous version of this post used the incorrect name for one of the u. The uss mason was one of two us navy ships with largely africanamerican crews in world war ii. Past posts focused on deck logs from the uss maryland and uss huse. Lieutenant william blackford was the commanding officer. About 20 souls would be lost forever, according to the warfare history. These two ships were manned with african americans as the. Uss mason ddg 87 arleigh burke class guided missile.
Uss mason dd191, a destroyer in commission from 1920 to 1922 and from 1939 to 1940 uss mason de529, a destroyer escort in commission from 1944 to 1945 uss mason ddg87, a destroyer in commission since 2003 see also. In 1997, only due to mary pat kellys research and book, proudly we served. Uss mason de529 was manned by predominately black sailors during wwii. He enlisted as a seaman in the naval reserve on 7 november 1940, and on 10 february 1941 was appointed an. Naval history and heritage command archive photo war correspondent, thomas w. He enlisted as a seaman in the naval reserve on 7 november 1940, and on 10 february 1941 was appointed an aviation cadet. Ship launched november 17, 1943 at boston navy yards pier 6. Uss mason de529, an evartsclass destroyer escort, was the second ship of the united states navy to be named mason, though de529 was the only one specifically named for ensign newton henry mason. Uss mason ddg 87 is an arleigh burkeclass destroyer in the united states navy. The uss mason battles uboats and bigots american heritage. But, due to the bigoted attitudes of the time, they never received the unit citation until 50 years later. Few americans know the historychanging story of the men of the uss mason, the only africanamerican sailors to take a world war ii warship into combat. William blackford, was at submarine chaser school in miami when he was notified of his new command, one that would comprise colored personnel.
The uss mason, de529, was a destroyer escort constructed in the charlestown navy yard. The second mason de529 was laid down by the boston navy yard, boston, massachusetts, in 14 october 1943 and launched 17 november 1943. The mason gave black sailors a chance to prove their mettle against those who said they were incapable of handling a warship. Uss mason ddg87 fires an sm2 during a march 2016 exercise. This post is a continuation of the midwatch in verse series. Uss mason, a 1140ton evarts class destroyer escort, was. During battles with german u boats and their heroic defiance a horrific storm that ripped open their ship. Although the mason never sank an enemy submarine or shelled a hostile ship or shore, its place in history is assured. Dufau and a few of his de529 shipmates formed a lasting bond with the crew of ddg87. A 2004 feature film named proud starring ossie davis documented the uss masons work during world war ii. Overdrive rakuten overdrive borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. Uss mason at the boston naval yard naid 6210481 the uss mason de529 was commissioned on march 20, 1944, with a crew of 150 africanamerican enlisted men and six officers. At a time when most blacks in the navy were relegated to stewards or laborers, the crew of the uss mason escorted six convoys across the perilous north atlantic, helped to win the battle of the atlantic and directly. The opposing lions, which are adapted from the mason family coatofarms, represent the world war ii pacific and atlantic campaigns.
It was the only major warship of world war ii served by a predominately africanamerican crew from. Alderman, usnr, right explains various parts of a signal lamp to sm2c julius holmes, during training for masons crew at norfolk naval training station, virginia, 3 january 1944. The deck log verse highlighted in this post was written by, then lieutenant jg william w. The second mason de529 was laid down by the boston navy yard, boston, massachusetts, in october 1943 and launched 17 november 1942. Sailors of the uss mason, poster 12 x 18 uss mason facts. Uss mason, uss pc1264, and the africanamerican crews.
Mason served as convoy escort in the atlantic through the remainder of world war ii. The first mason dd191, in service from 1920 to 1941, was named for john young mason, well known for his service as the secretary of the navy for two american presidents. Fittingly, the navy commissioned the uss mason de529, the only navy destroyer escort to be manned by an allblack crew again, with white officers in 1943. The second mason de529, was named for ensign newton henry mason, a naval aviator who was posthumously awarded the distinguished flying cross.
In 1994, the surviving members of the uss mason, received the award due them for their heroic actions at sea during wwii. First predominately negro ship commissioned uss mason de529, boston, massachusetts, 3201944. The opposing lions, which are adapted from the mason family coat of arms, represent the world war ii pacific and atlantic campaigns. Uss mason has been the name of more than one united states navy ship, and may refer to. Photograph from the bureau of ships collection in the u.
To the commodore in command of convoy ny119, caught in a terrifying north atlantic gale in fall 1944, destroyerescort 529 was the plucky uss mason, a vessel worthy of official commendation. Navy celebrates 2016 african americanblack history month. The left facing lion symbolizes the service and sacrifice of ensign newton henry mason in the battle of the coral sea. Narrated by actor ossie davis, the film interweaves the personal stories of individual crew members with archival footage. Given that this month is black history month, i decided to honor an almost unique ship in the us navy during wwii.