This original Boot Camp graduation photo was shot in 1940,
he is a Pearl Harbor survivor
he is a Pearl Harbor survivor
Black Sailors having a little R&R
this is an original WWII Photo
this is an original WWII Photo
I have not mentioned it, but I have been doing a project that involves Pearl Harbor survivors. This column is not about me … it is about you, thus my silence on this project. It is relevant now due to my use of facts that I have learned from my survivors in this week’s column. Although the information in some parts relate to World War Two, the history is important so past mistakes will not be repeated.
Today’s military is very diverse, but that has not always been the way it was. During World War Two and before, Black service members were not treated as an equal. They served in non-combat rates, or units. In the Navy during WWII they were relegated to being mess attendants, stewards, and cooks. In the army they found similar limitations to their career and dignity. That was then.
This column is politically neutral, so the Presidential Election is not subject to such here.
I will say though, that going from a steward cleaning officer’s shoes to the commander in chief is worthy of noting here tonight.
I think that anytime a new commander in chief is about to take office it is dicey, as they have to earn your respect, since you live and die by their leadership or lack thereof. May it be the former?
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Sports Update:
The Steelers defeated the Chargers, 11 to 10! This is the first time in NFL history for this specific score…
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The weather has turned ugly this week, with snow flurries and much colder temps…
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Keep your head down,
Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania
1 comment:
You may choose to visit my photo album tribute to:
America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 100th year, former enlisted Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, USN (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, "The Day of Infamy", Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl
You may also choose to view my photo album tribute to my 103 year old father, who was a World War One Radio Operator Striker (1919) later graduate of Navy Radio School, 1920-1921.
See 'Navy Centenarian Sailor', 103 year old, former enlisted Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio 'Jay' Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. First flew aircrewman in August 1922. Flew rearseat radioman/gunner in air squadrons of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).
At the time of his recent demise, he was the Navy's oldest living radio operator, minesweeper sailor, battleship sailor, aircrewman, and Aviation Officer.
Relevant to your topic, Ereneta was in the early days of his career a Filipino Mess Attendant /Steward who broke the racial segregation barrier twenty-five years before the U. S. Navy desegregated. Throughout the 1920s/1930s/1940s, he advanced through Aviation Radio Electronics ratings and became the first native born Filipino commissioned as a U. S. Naval Officer.
news.webshots.com/photo/1136214083054062406bSpbBz
San Diego, California
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