Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary goal of the group of sixteen Black enlisted men in January 1944?
What was the primary goal of the group of sixteen Black enlisted men in January 1944?
- To challenge the belief that African Americans could not be officers
- To increase the number of Black sailors in the Navy
- To complete officer training successfully (correct)
- To promote equality within the Navy
What was the expected attrition rate for the group during their officer training course?
What was the expected attrition rate for the group during their officer training course?
- 25% (correct)
- 50%
- 75%
- 10%
How did the group study during their training to ensure success?
How did the group study during their training to ensure success?
- By seeking help from Navy officials
- By forming study groups with other candidates
- By attending extra classes
- By bringing blankets to cover their windows and studying with flashlights (correct)
What was notable about the group's average score after completing their exams?
What was notable about the group's average score after completing their exams?
How many of the original sixteen members were commissioned as officers?
How many of the original sixteen members were commissioned as officers?
What nickname was given to the successful group of officers?
What nickname was given to the successful group of officers?
What happened to the three sailors who completed the training but were not commissioned?
What happened to the three sailors who completed the training but were not commissioned?
What was the duration of the officer training course that the group was expected to complete?
What was the duration of the officer training course that the group was expected to complete?
What position did George Clinton Cooper hold when he returned to Hampton after his initial military training?
What position did George Clinton Cooper hold when he returned to Hampton after his initial military training?
Which institution did George Clinton Cooper attend for his undergraduate studies?
Which institution did George Clinton Cooper attend for his undergraduate studies?
What was significant about George Clinton Cooper's uniform upon commissioning?
What was significant about George Clinton Cooper's uniform upon commissioning?
What degree did George Clinton Cooper earn in 1948?
What degree did George Clinton Cooper earn in 1948?
What role did Reginald E. Goodwin serve in at the Children’s Aid Society of New York?
What role did Reginald E. Goodwin serve in at the Children’s Aid Society of New York?
In what year did George Clinton Cooper enlist in the Navy?
In what year did George Clinton Cooper enlist in the Navy?
Which college did George Clinton Cooper work for after earning his master's degree?
Which college did George Clinton Cooper work for after earning his master's degree?
What role did George Clinton Cooper take on in Dayton, Ohio, in 1969?
What role did George Clinton Cooper take on in Dayton, Ohio, in 1969?
What rank was Ensign Hair promoted to in 1945?
What rank was Ensign Hair promoted to in 1945?
Which ship was Ensign Hair part of during World War II?
Which ship was Ensign Hair part of during World War II?
What educational degree did Ensign Hair earn after leaving active duty?
What educational degree did Ensign Hair earn after leaving active duty?
During which operation did Charles Byrd Lear serve as officer in charge of Hill Camp Fuel Dump No. 21?
During which operation did Charles Byrd Lear serve as officer in charge of Hill Camp Fuel Dump No. 21?
What year did Charles Byrd Lear enlist in the Naval Reserve?
What year did Charles Byrd Lear enlist in the Naval Reserve?
How long did Ensign Hair work as a case worker after returning to the private sector?
How long did Ensign Hair work as a case worker after returning to the private sector?
Which medals did Charles Byrd Lear receive during his service?
Which medals did Charles Byrd Lear receive during his service?
What was the primary occupation of Charles Byrd Lear before enlisting in the military?
What was the primary occupation of Charles Byrd Lear before enlisting in the military?
What degree did Graham E. Martin earn from Indiana University?
What degree did Graham E. Martin earn from Indiana University?
Where was Graham E. Martin assigned in July 1944?
Where was Graham E. Martin assigned in July 1944?
What was Dennis Denmark Nelson's area of study at Fisk University?
What was Dennis Denmark Nelson's area of study at Fisk University?
When was Dennis Denmark Nelson commissioned as an ensign?
When was Dennis Denmark Nelson commissioned as an ensign?
What role did Graham E. Martin serve aboard YP-131?
What role did Graham E. Martin serve aboard YP-131?
In which city did Martin retire from teaching?
In which city did Martin retire from teaching?
What was Dennis Denmark Nelson’s occupation from 1930 to 1935?
What was Dennis Denmark Nelson’s occupation from 1930 to 1935?
What year did Graham E. Martin pass away?
What year did Graham E. Martin pass away?
What rank was Ensign Sublett promoted to on 1 July 1945?
What rank was Ensign Sublett promoted to on 1 July 1945?
What position did William Sylvester White hold after joining the U.S. Naval Reserve?
What position did William Sylvester White hold after joining the U.S. Naval Reserve?
What educational achievement did William Sylvester White attain in 1937?
What educational achievement did William Sylvester White attain in 1937?
What was a significant factor in the Golden Thirteen overcoming systemic racism?
What was a significant factor in the Golden Thirteen overcoming systemic racism?
Where did Ensign Sublett serve after being commissioned?
Where did Ensign Sublett serve after being commissioned?
When did Ensign Sublett receive his honorable discharge from the Naval Reserve?
When did Ensign Sublett receive his honorable discharge from the Naval Reserve?
What was William Sylvester White's occupation before joining the Navy?
What was William Sylvester White's occupation before joining the Navy?
How did the Golden Thirteen perform on their final exams compared to their peers?
How did the Golden Thirteen perform on their final exams compared to their peers?
What was the primary goal that White aimed to achieve while wearing his uniform?
What was the primary goal that White aimed to achieve while wearing his uniform?
Which position did White hold after leaving naval service?
Which position did White hold after leaving naval service?
What pioneering work did White do as a county judge?
What pioneering work did White do as a county judge?
Which of the following best describes the initial commission rate for the class of 16 candidates in the Navy?
Which of the following best describes the initial commission rate for the class of 16 candidates in the Navy?
What was Augustus Alves' role in the Naval Reserve after the war?
What was Augustus Alves' role in the Naval Reserve after the war?
What career did J.B. Pinkney pursue before the war?
What career did J.B. Pinkney pursue before the war?
What nickname did Lewis Williams earn during his childhood?
What nickname did Lewis Williams earn during his childhood?
Which of the following statements is true regarding Williams' military career?
Which of the following statements is true regarding Williams' military career?
Flashcards
Who was George Clinton Cooper?
Who was George Clinton Cooper?
George Clinton Cooper was born in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina, on 7 September 1916. He graduated from Hampton Institute and later served as a sheet-metal instructor at Wilberforce University.
What significant achievement did George Clinton Cooper have in the Navy?
What significant achievement did George Clinton Cooper have in the Navy?
Cooper enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was commissioned as an ensign in 1944. He became the first African American to wear a naval officer's uniform.
Where did Cooper serve in the Navy after his commissioning?
Where did Cooper serve in the Navy after his commissioning?
Cooper was stationed at Hampton Institute as a personnel officer and training supervisor before being assigned to the Pacific in 1945.
Why was Cooper discharged from the Navy?
Why was Cooper discharged from the Navy?
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Who was Reginald Ernest Goodwin?
Who was Reginald Ernest Goodwin?
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What were some of Goodwin's roles in the Children's Aid Society?
What were some of Goodwin's roles in the Children's Aid Society?
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In what areas did Goodwin excel within the Children's Aid Society?
In what areas did Goodwin excel within the Children's Aid Society?
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What was Goodwin's primary role within the Children's Aid Society?
What was Goodwin's primary role within the Children's Aid Society?
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Who were the Golden Thirteen?
Who were the Golden Thirteen?
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What challenges did the Golden Thirteen face?
What challenges did the Golden Thirteen face?
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How did the Golden Thirteen perform in the training?
How did the Golden Thirteen perform in the training?
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What happened to the 16 men after the training?
What happened to the 16 men after the training?
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What was the significance of the Golden Thirteen?
What was the significance of the Golden Thirteen?
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What lessons can be learned from the Golden Thirteen?
What lessons can be learned from the Golden Thirteen?
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Why is the Golden Thirteen story significant?
Why is the Golden Thirteen story significant?
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What was the lasting legacy of the Golden Thirteen?
What was the lasting legacy of the Golden Thirteen?
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When did Charles Byrd Lear enlist?
When did Charles Byrd Lear enlist?
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What were the ranks Charles Byrd Lear held during his service?
What were the ranks Charles Byrd Lear held during his service?
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Where was Lear's first major assignment during the war?
Where was Lear's first major assignment during the war?
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Where did Lear serve after Hawaii?
Where did Lear serve after Hawaii?
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What was Lear's final assignment before leaving active duty?
What was Lear's final assignment before leaving active duty?
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What did Ensign Hair command?
What did Ensign Hair command?
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What made the Mason special?
What made the Mason special?
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What career did Hair pursue after leaving the Navy?
What career did Hair pursue after leaving the Navy?
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Who is William Sylvester White?
Who is William Sylvester White?
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What were William Sylvester White's roles in the Navy?
What were William Sylvester White's roles in the Navy?
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What is the 'Golden Thirteen'?
What is the 'Golden Thirteen'?
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How did the 'Golden Thirteen' overcome the reduced officer training course?
How did the 'Golden Thirteen' overcome the reduced officer training course?
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What did the 'Golden Thirteen' accomplish despite a shorter training course?
What did the 'Golden Thirteen' accomplish despite a shorter training course?
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How did William Sylvester White contribute to the 'Golden Thirteen's success?
How did William Sylvester White contribute to the 'Golden Thirteen's success?
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What challenges did the 'Golden Thirteen' face during their officer training?
What challenges did the 'Golden Thirteen' face during their officer training?
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What is significant about Ensign Sublett?
What is significant about Ensign Sublett?
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Who is Graham E. Martin?
Who is Graham E. Martin?
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When did Martin join the USNR?
When did Martin join the USNR?
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What roles did Martin hold during WWII?
What roles did Martin hold during WWII?
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What were Nelson's roles before WWII?
What were Nelson's roles before WWII?
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Who is Dennis Denmark Nelson and what are his credentials?
Who is Dennis Denmark Nelson and what are his credentials?
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What type of graduate studies did Nelson pursue?
What type of graduate studies did Nelson pursue?
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What was Nelson's role during WWII?
What was Nelson's role during WWII?
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What did Martin do after his military service?
What did Martin do after his military service?
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Who was the first African-American to graduate from the US Naval Academy?
Who was the first African-American to graduate from the US Naval Academy?
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What was the name given to the first African-American US Navy officers?
What was the name given to the first African-American US Navy officers?
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What was Samuel L. White's concern related to his service as a naval officer?
What was Samuel L. White's concern related to his service as a naval officer?
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What happened to Augustus Alves after passing the exam to become a US Navy officer?
What happened to Augustus Alves after passing the exam to become a US Navy officer?
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What happened to J.B. Pinkney after passing the exam to become a US Navy officer?
What happened to J.B. Pinkney after passing the exam to become a US Navy officer?
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What was Lewis "Mummy" Williams' profession before joining the US Navy?
What was Lewis "Mummy" Williams' profession before joining the US Navy?
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What was the expected pass rate for the 'Golden Thirteen' class?
What was the expected pass rate for the 'Golden Thirteen' class?
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What was the actual pass rate for the 'Golden Thirteen' class?
What was the actual pass rate for the 'Golden Thirteen' class?
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Study Notes
The Golden Thirteen
- Sixteen Black enlisted men were selected for officer training in the U.S. Navy in January 1944.
- At that time, there were nearly 100,000 Black sailors in the US Navy, but none were officers.
- This group, known as the "Golden Thirteen," faced significant racial prejudice.
- The training course was traditionally 16 weeks, but these men were expected to finish in 8 weeks, increasing the difficulty and a high potential for failure, which they believed was deliberately created to thwart their success.
- Despite the odds, all sixteen men passed their exams, achieving an average grade of 3.89 out of 4.
- This was an outstanding grade, higher than any other class in Navy history.
- Only twelve of the sixteen were initially commissioned as officers, while the others were returned to enlisted ranks.
- The Golden Thirteen faced significant racial prejudice in the Navy, being denied entry to officer's clubs.
- The members of the Golden Thirteen subsequently held a variety of important roles in their career in the U.S. Navy and beyond.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the historic training of the sixteen Black enlisted men during World War II and their path to becoming commissioned officers. Explore their challenges, study methods, and notable achievements, including George Clinton Cooper's academic journey and milestones.
