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23 July 2024
Welcome back to our National Maritime Historical Society members and friends who share a love for naval history!
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We are delighted to report that one of the world’s premier naval historians, Dr. John B. Hattendorf – the Ernest J. King Professor Emeritus of Maritime History at the US Naval War College – will be honored with a National Maritime Historical Society Distinguished Service Award at the NMHS Annual Awards Dinner scheduled for Thursday 24 October at the New York Yacht Club in mid-Manhattan. The Society will also recognize world-renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, and author Dr. Sylvia Earle as well as a leader in the field of lighthouse preservation Mr. Ford Reiche. Look for further profiles of these awardees and additional details about the dinner in a future edition of Tuesday Tidings.
For this edition we offer follow-on stories to features recently offered on these pages. Last week we published the Naval History and Heritage Command’s narrative of the Port Chicago disaster and the disciplinary action taken against African-American Sailors who refused to return to ammunition loading duties. This past week, Secretary of the Navy exonerated those Sailors. Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s press release is featured below. Speaking of the Navy Secretary, two weeks ago we noted the coincidence of Del Toro’s visit to Spain to announce the naming of a Constellation-class frigate for Spanish colonial governor Bernardo de Gálvez who lent support for American independence from Britain and the US Naval Institute’s Captain Ken Coskey senior-level prize-winning presentation on Gálvez at National History Day. Apparently, that same coincidence was picked up by Spanish media leading to additional recognition to prize winner Iago Macknik-Conde. The Brooklyn high school student’s post-prize odyssey follows.
This week for our Naval History Book Reviews we thank Dr. John Satterfield for a pair of reviews on two recent Osprey offerings. If you have recently published a book on naval history and would like to have it reviewed, let us know!
Tuesday Tidings is compiled by Dr. David F. Winkler and Jessie Henderson as a benefit for members of the National Maritime Historical Society and friends of naval history.
As always, comments are welcome at nmhs@seahistory.org.
| ITEMS OF IMMEDIATE INTEREST | |
25 July 2024 – Naval Order Continental Command Lecture
The Coast Guard with the Marines in the Pacific World War II
With Master Chief David Mattingly
7–8 PM (EDT) (Youtube)
28 July 2024 – Mare Island Speaker Series
Mare Island and USS Langley
With David F. Winkler
Mare Island, CA
2–3 PM (PDT) (Live)
2 August 2024 – USS Monitor Legacy Program
The Battle of Mobile Bay
With John Quarstein
Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, VA
Noon–1 PM (EDT) (Live, Streaming)
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The Secretary of the Navy Exonerates 256 Defendants from
1944 Port Chicago General and Summary Courts-martial
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Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro signed the order exonerating 256 defendants of the Port Chicago General and Summary Courts-Martial. A historical overview can be found here: Port Chicago Naval Magazine Explosion (navy.mil) US Navy Photograph. | |
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WASHINGTON – The Secretary of the Navy announced on July 17 the full exoneration of the remaining 256 defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial.
The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, made the announcement on the 80th anniversary of an explosion that occurred at Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California. The explosion killed 320 people, injured 400 others, destroyed two ships and a train, and caused damage to the nearby town of Port Chicago.
Secretary Del Toro expressed his deepest condolences for the Sailors, civilians, Coast Guardsmen, members of the US Maritime Service, and one Marine who lost their lives and for their family members. Following the 1944 explosion, white supervising officers at Port Chicago were given hardship leave while the surviving African-American Sailors were ordered back to work. The circumstances surrounding the disaster were reflective of the Navy’s personnel policies at the time, which barred African-American Sailors from nearly all seagoing jobs. Most of the Navy ordnance battalions assigned to Port Chicago Naval Magazine and similar facilities were comprised of African-American enlisted personnel and white officers.
In the absence of clarity on the explosions or further safety training, 258 African-American Sailors refused to resume ammunition handling. After threats of disciplinary action, 208 of the Sailors returned to work; however, the Navy still subsequently convicted all 208 Sailors at a summary court-martial for disobeying orders. The Navy sentenced each of the summary court-martial defendants to a Bad Conduct Discharge and forfeiture of three month’s pay. During subsequent reviews of the summary court-martial, the Bad Conduct Discharges were suspended, the forfeitures reduced, and one conviction was set aside for insufficient evidence.
The remaining 50 Sailors continued to refuse to return to work and were charged with mutiny. The Navy later convicted all 50 Sailors (who came to be called the “Port Chicago 50”) of mutiny at a mass general court-martial. Each of these defendants was sentenced to a Dishonorable Discharge, fifteen years confinement at hard labor, reduction in rate to E-1, and total forfeitures of their pay. During subsequent reviews of the general court-martial, the Dishonorable Discharges were suspended and the period of confinement was reduced from 15 years to 17-29 months. One conviction was also set aside for mental incompetency. By January 1946, nearly all the Sailors were released and given the opportunity to finish their contracts.
“The Port Chicago 50, and the hundreds who stood with them, may not be with us today, but their story lives on, a testament to the enduring power of courage and the unwavering pursuit of justice,” said Secretary Del Toro. “They stand as a beacon of hope, forever reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the fight for what's right can and will prevail.”
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. The defendants were improperly tried together despite conflicting interests and denied a meaningful right to counsel. The courts-martial also occurred before the Navy’s Court of Inquiry report on the Port Chicago explosion was finalized, which certainly would have informed their defense and contained nineteen substantive recommendations to improve ammunition loading practices.
Following the Navy’s most recent review, Secretary Del Toro fully exonerated the remaining 256 defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial. If any family members of the defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial would like to reach out to the Department of the Navy for future notifications on the topic or more information, please reach out to PortChicago@us.navy.mil, or 703-697-5342. From Navy.mil.
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Coskey Prize Winner Lauded in Spanish Media and Then…. | |
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Besides being recognized in Tuesday Tidings, Capt. Ken Coskey NHD prize-winner Iago Macknik-Conde was noted in two newspapers in Spain. The national paper El País learned of Macknik-Conde’s feat through their New York correspondent, who was tipped off by a representative of a Spanish-language immersion program supported by Spain’s Ministry of Education for Spanish children growing up in non-Spanish speaking countries. Macknik-Conde – who is a dual citizen of Spain and the US – graduated from the program last year, and his mother kept them informed about her son’s ongoing research. In the case of the more local Opinión de Málaga, the tip came from a local historian. Macknik-Conde had been corresponding with Manuel Olmedo, a historian residing in the Mediterranean port city of Málaga and vice president of the Asociación Bernardo de Gálvez. After his project made it up to the state level in the National History Day competition, Macknik-Conde traveled to Spain to meet with Olmedo, who pointed him to unique primary sources (including correspondence leading to Gálvez’s portrait being placed in the Capitol) and addressed numerous questions that came up during research. Olmedo facilitated Macknik-Conde’s visit to the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, where the young scholar personally handled 18th-century documents relating to Gálvez.
While in Málaga, Macknik-Conde also took time to visit the nearby town of Macharaviaya – the birthplace of Bernardo de Gálvez. Such pride is had in their Gálvez connection that the town celebrates American Independence Day on July 4th with an annual historical reenactment of the Battle of Pensacola, Gálvez’s most significant military victory.
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Iago Macknik-Conde as a Louisiana Regiment Soldier being inducted as a “Granadero de Honor” with the mayor of Macharaviava. Photos courtesy of the recipient. | |
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During the same trip to Macharaviaya, Macknik-Conde received an invitation from the mayor’s office to return to the town in July to participate in this year’s Battle of Pensacola reenactment as a Louisiana Regiment soldier. Besides providing the young scholar a custom-fit uniform, the Macknik-Conde family was invited to join with visiting US dignitaries for official events held over the two-day festival. Iago and his family met with Pensacola, Florida mayor, D.C. Reeves and his family; historian Nancy Fetterman, who developed the historical justification that led to Gálvez becoming an honorary citizen of the US in 2014; the US Consul in Málaga, Roberta Aaron; and crew members from the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams making a port call at Málaga.
During festival ceremonies, Macknik-Conde was called up to join the Macharaviaya mayor onstage, and was inducted as a “Granadero [Grenadier] de Honor” of the Orden de Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez [Order of Grenadiers and Ladies of Galvez] in recognition of his receiving the Capt. Ken Coskey Prize for his project on Gálvez before thousands of spectators.
The high schooler from Brooklyn reflected: “It was the greatest honor of my life and the most amazing experience.” We suspect additional accolades and opportunities for Iago Macknik-Conde will continue to roll in. Last week the young scholar received a congratulatory letter from Angeles Moreo Bau, the Spanish Ambassador to the United States. Needless to say, as he starts filling out college applications this Fall, he will have a great story to tell!
Thanks to the US Naval Institute for continuing to support this National History Day award created and later named for the late Naval Historical Foundation Executive Director Captain Ken Coskey. As Tuesday Tidings co-compiler Jessie Henderson can attest – good things lay ahead for prize winners!
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NAVAL HISTORY BOOK REVIEWS | |
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US Seventh Fleet, Vietnam 1964-75: American Naval Power in Southeast Asia By Edward J. Marolda, Osprey Publishing, Ltd., Oxford (2023)
US Navy Gun Destroyers 1945 – 88: Fletcher Class to Forrest Sherman Class
By Mark Stille, Osprey Publishing, Ltd., Oxford (2023)
Reviewed by John R. Satterfield, DBA
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...US Seventh Fleet, Vietnam 1964-75: American Naval Power in Southeast Asia contains only eighty pages, meaning that it is a summary description of well more than a decade’s worth of naval action, but it serves as a good introduction to the Navy’s role in Vietnam. The author does not just skim the surface, however, and includes narratives outlining the Seventh Fleet’s capabilities and operational organization as well as a concise combat history throughout the Vietnam War. Marolda also offers meaningful details, most notably about individuals who contributed to the Seventh Fleet’s effort, often losing their lives, during the conflict. Remembering these heroes adds poignant urgency to the text. Dr. Marolda’s narrative is fair and balanced, with sufficient context to enable the reader to form a considered judgment about Vietnam. For those who want to read more, the author provides a list of authoritative volumes, including many of his own longer works.
...The USN retained DDs in the early Cold War because they were available, proven, versatile, and met budget constraints. They provided adequate AAW and ASW protection in carrier groups, shore bombardment for amphibious assaults and peace-keeping operational support. Technological advances would, however, require their replacement with DDG classes, the latest now in the fleet.
Stille’s well-illustrated monograph is a nice introduction to USN DDs, design relics of World War II that still served the nation with distinction for decades after that conflict ended.
Read full review>>
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NAVAL HISTORY BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW | |
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Proceedings Podcast Episode 404: Seizing Saipan
12 July 2024
Host Eric Mills and Chris Hemler discuss the Battle of Saipan as a turning point in the Pacific Theater.
Listen here>>
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The Society for Military History announces a call for papers for its 90th Annual Meeting in Mobile, Alabama, 27–30 March 2025, at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and the
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel.
The Program Committee’s objective is to create a slate of panels that represent the breadth of expertise and interests as well as the overall diversity of the Society’s wide-ranging membership. Individual paper and panel proposals on all facets of military history broadly defined will be considered for inclusion. Members in the academic community, the armed forces and governmental agencies, museums and archives, and independent scholars, as well as international members, are encouraged to participate.
Priority will be given to individual paper and panel submissions that highlight the presentation of original research, new interpretations, topics of immediate interest to our membership, and cutting-edge trends and subject matter. Submission of roundtables is encouraged, but preference will be given to panels that present new, original research.
All submissions will be judged on their merit using the above criteria.
Submission Instructions:
Individual paper proposals must include a 250-word abstract of the paper, and a one-page vita with contact information and email address. If selected, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to an appropriate panel with a chair/commentator.
Panel proposals must include a panel title and 250-word abstract summarizing the theme of the panel; paper titles and a 250-word abstract for each paper proposed; and a one-page curriculum vitae for each panelist (including the chair and commentator) that includes institutional affiliation, email address, and other contact information.
Roundtable proposals must include a roundtable title, the full name and institutional affiliation of each participant, a 250-word abstract summarizing the roundtable’s themes and significance, and a one-page curriculum vitae for each participant.
Members who wish to volunteer to serve as chairs and commentators should send a one-page curriculum vitae.
Send all materials to the Program Committee Chair before 18 October 2024 at smhconferences@gmail.com.
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For The Trafalgar Chronicle
Publication Date: FALL 2025
Theme: Naval Leadership in the Georgian Era
For the 2025 edition of The Trafalgar Chronicle, the editors seek carefully researched, scholarly articles on “Naval Leadership in the Georgian Era.” We invite essays that provide examples of exemplary and questionable leadership in the predominant navies of the Georgian maritime era (1714–1837). We are interested to know about unique and far-reaching ways in which naval officers and administrators made crucial decisions and took significant actions affecting their futures, men, fleets, enemies, combat tactics and strategies, ships, policies and regulations, and naval doctrine itself. Additional topics: We also seek general-interest articles with unique perspectives on the maritime and naval history of the Georgian era. We invite biographical portraits, articles about battles at sea, maritime economics, exploration of foreign shores, foreign relations, politics, etc. We also welcome well-documented reports on preservation efforts regarding the artifacts, graves, memorials, and monuments of the Nelson era. Proposal Submission Guidelines: Please submit a proposal/abstract of no more than 500 words and a paragraph about your background (a biographical sketch). Proposals are due by 1 September 2024. Applicants will be notified of acceptance status by 1 October 2024. Submit all proposals and inquiries to tc.editor@1805Club.org.
Detailed author guidelines are available upon request. Article Guidelines: Articles should be 3,000 to 5,000 words long in MSWORD (unprotected) following the New Oxford Style Manual. Please include three to six high-resolution illustrations, each in a separate file (jpeg, pdf, or tiff). Articles are due 1 February 2025, at which point they will be edited and, in some cases, submitted to peer review. Articles will be returned to authors for revisions by 1 April 2025.
Revisions are due by 1 May 2025. Publication will be Fall/Autumn 2025. While we do not pay our contributors, each author will receive a copy of The Trafalgar Chronicle upon publication. Non-members of the 1805 Club will receive a free one-year membership. All authors will also receive a PDF of their published article for their portfolio. Authors retain copyright of their articles. Our Contributors: We welcome articles from 1805 Club members and anyone with an interest in the history of the Georgian Navy and other navies of the period. Our articles have come from writers of varied backgrounds: historians, journalists, university students, military personnel, preservationists, and novelists. Contact tc.editor@1805Club.org for additional information. The Trafalgar Chronicle is the scholarly flagship publication of the 1805 Club, a charity registered in England and Wales (number1202272) with an international membership of scholars and enthusiasts of the Georgian maritime era. The 1805 Club takes its name from the iconic Battle of Trafalgar that gave Nelson his place in history and confirmed the role of the Royal Navy in asserting Britain’s sea power. Seaforth Publishing is our publisher.
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UPCOMING NAVAL & MARITIME HISTORY GATHERINGS | |
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16–19 September 2024: Historic Naval Ship Association (HNSA) Symposium, USS Midway, San Diego
9 November 2024: Steamship Society of America, Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA
27–30 March 2025: Society for Military History (SMH) Annual Meeting, Mobile, AL
9–11 April 2025: Council of American Maritime Museums Annual Meeting, Pensacola, FL
24–25 May 2025: Canadian Nautical Research Society Annual Conference Port Hope,
Ontario
18–19 September 2025: McMullen Naval History Symposium US Naval Academy
24–28 September 2025: Historic Naval Ship Association (HNSA) Symposium/12th Maritime Heritage Conference, Buffalo, NY
| PREBLE HALL NAVAL HISTORY PODCAST | |
A naval history podcast from Preble Hall – the United States Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland. Preble Hall will interview historians, practitioners, military personnel, and other experts on a variety of naval history topics from ancient history to more current events.
Click here for the latest episode: 233: David Patraeus on CONFLICT>>
Click here for all Preble Hall Podcasts >>
| DRACHINIFEL YOUTUBE CHANNEL | |
Welcome to Navy History Matters, Naval History and Heritage Command’s biweekly compilation of articles, commentaries, and blogs related to history and heritage. Every other week, they gather the top-interest items from a variety of media and social media sources that link to related content at NHHC’s website, your authoritative source for Navy history.
Click here for most recent article>>
| INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAVAL HISTORY | |
The International Journal of Naval History (IJNH) provides a preeminent forum for works of naval history, researched and written to demonstrable academic standards, with the goal of stimulating and promoting research into naval history and fostering communication among naval historians at an international level. IJNH welcomes any scholarly historical analysis, focused on any period or geographic region, that explores naval power in its national or cultural context. The journal is independent of any institution and operates under the direction of an international editorial board that represents various genres of naval history.
Click here to read the February 2023 edition and archived issues on the IJNH website >>
| SUPPORTING US NAVAL HISTORY & HERITAGE | |
With the 250th anniversary of the US Navy on the horizon, NMHS seeks your support as we plan to honor those who have provided for our maritime security.
Click here to donate today >>
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