This year, on the 80th anniversary of the Port Chicago disaster, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50 and all Sailors who were wrongfully court-martialed in connection with the Port Chicago incident of 1944. 

Marking this historic decision, President Joe Biden issued a statement: "After conducting a careful and deliberative review, the U.S. Navy has determined that the courts-martial for all 258 Black Sailors were fundamentally unfair, plagued by legal errors, and tainted by racial discrimination. Today’s announcement marks the end of a long and arduous journey for these Black Sailors and their families, who fought for a nation that denied them equal justice under law. May we all remember their courage, sacrifice, and service to our Nation."

Vice President Kamala Harris stated, "Today's action has righted an historic wrong. These Sailors pushed our nation toward dignity, respect, and equality for all."

In addition to the Port Chicago 50, Secretary Del Toro’s action also exonerates the 208 Port Chicago Sailors who were convicted in summary courts-martial and sentenced to administrative discharges with forfeiture of three month’s pay and other service benefits.

The Port Chicago disaster, which occurred 80 years ago on July 17, 1944, claimed the lives of 320 men and left hundreds wounded. A little after 10 pm, two blasts created a fireball that ripped into the night sky and sent shock waves throughout the Bay Area. The town of Port Chicago was flattened and the blast registered 3.4 on the Richter scale in Berkeley. Post-disaster, 50 Sailors were charged with mutiny for objecting to orders—issued exclusively to Black Sailors—to return to work under the same hazardous conditions that had caused the explosion. This group of Sailors faced injustice during a time of Navy segregation and racial inequality. The shame and discrimination continued even after they served their time and returned home, robbing them of opportunities that an honorable discharge afforded other veterans.

In February 2022, the Contra Costa County Bar Association (CCCBA) established the Port Chicago Task Force with the goals of raising awareness of the disaster and advocating for the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50. For the last two years, the CCCBA Port Chicago Task Force led by Jonathan Lee, a member of CCCBA's Board of Directors, has actively communicated exoneration arguments to federal, state, and local leaders, as well as the Department of the Navy. 

Working closely with Yulie Padmore, Executive Director of the Port Chicago Alliance, the Alliance and the Task Force delivered presentations to Bay Area elected officials Mark DeSaulnier, Barbara Lee, John Garamendi, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, and the cities of Albany, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Emeryville, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Union City, and Walnut Creek, all of which signed resolutions calling for exoneration. Presentations were also made to the NAACP, local churches and faith-based groups, and the Port Chicago Service Awards were presented at CCCBA’s installation luncheon this year, honoring descendants of three sailors present and four members of the public who contributed to the effort.

“Today's action by the Navy cements the legacy of the Port Chicago 50 as catalysts for the modern civil rights movement,” said Jonathan Lee who chaired the Task Force and has worked tirelessly on this project. “They served with honor at a time of great peril for our nation, while facing racial discrimination in every aspect of life, including their service. As a result of their trial and convictions, and through the efforts of Thurgood Marshall and others, the armed forces were desegregated by 1948. This has been an 80-year cry for justice, and our Task Force's work to shine a light on this injustice that occurred in our own backyard illustrates the power of the legal community to redress injustice.”

Thank You to All Supporters

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this vital justice initiative by signing, commenting, and spreading the word. This achievement would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of those who signed and shared the petition.

The Department of the Navy's General Counsel, John P. (“Sean”) Coffey, who played a pivotal role in building the case that led the Navy to this historic decision, praised the advocates who championed this campaign, stating, “I’m very proud that the Navy finally got to the right place. It took far too long, but I am so blessed, motivated, and inspired by the example [advocates] have set of what Americans can do when they set their minds to it. You kept at it, you never gave up faith… and we finally heard you.”

Restitution Efforts are Underway

In the wake of the exoneration, the U.S. Navy has initiated efforts to identify the descendants of the Port Chicago Sailors in order to restore any lost benefits or compensation tied to their military service. This group includes the Port Chicago 50 and the 208 Sailors unjustly convicted in summary courts-martial following the 1944 Port Chicago disaster.

The names of the Port Chicago Sailors included in this effort are listed here.

If you are a descendant of one of the Sailors involved in the 1944 Port Chicago courts-martial and would like to receive updates or additional information from the U.S. Navy, please contact the Navy at PortChicago@us.navy.mil or call 703-697-5342.

To receive assistance or more information regarding potential entitlements for family members of exonerated Port Chicago Sailors, contact the nonprofit organization Port Chicago Alliance at PortChicagoAlliance@outlook.com. Their team is ready to help you navigate the resources and support available for your claim. ★