![]() After the war, the USO on 9th and Nixon Street was sold, demolished, and replaced by the Community Boys and Girls Club. Today, only the historically white USO club, the Hannah Block Historic USO on 2nd and Orange Street, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Davis Jr., commanded the Tuskegee Airmen. The first Black general in the US Army, General Benjamin O. In 1942, Black service members, the Williston Band, and members from the community marched from the USO to Williston Industrial High School, a historically Black school, to celebrate Armistice Day. The Black USO club on 9th and Nixon Street welcomed many soldiers, contributed to the war effort, and fostered a sense of pride in the community. Out of 13 United Service Organizations (USO) clubs in Wilmington, only one served Black military personnel. Yet, when Black soldiers like Seagraves returned home, segregation endured. By 1945, more than 1.2 million Black soldiers, including Black women, served in uniform. World War II created an opportunity to center the fight for civil rights on a national level. WE HAVE A STAKE IN THIS FIGHT.WE ARE AMERICANS, TOO!” Thus, in our fight for freedom we wage a two-pronged attack against our enslavers at home and those abroad who will enslave us. “We, as colored Americans are determined to protect our country, our form of government and the freedoms which we cherish for ourselves and the rest of the world, therefore we have adopted the Double ‘V’ war cry-victory over our enemies at home and victory over our enemies on the battlefields abroad. Thompson, was a Black soldier who asked, “Should I sacrifice my life to live half American?” In reply, the Courier introduced what it called the "Double V Campaign," declaring: In 1942, a Black newspaper called the Pittsburgh Courier published a letter to the editor. Yet, in 1941, enlistment numbers were low and only a few Black soldiers had become officers. Seagraves’ victory story, like those of many Black Americans like him, began with a fight for freedom at home and abroad.ĭuring World War II, Black Americans like Seagraves fought both for equal rights as Americans and for freedom for the Allies from the Axis Powers. Despite this, Seagraves and other Steward's Mates requested to be 20mm gunners and two mounts were assigned to them. Steward's Mates were assigned to ammunition handling as their battle station. Seagraves served in the US Navy aboard the USS North Carolina (BB-55) as a Steward’s Mate 1/c and his duty station was cooking for the officers including the Executive Officer. On April 1945, 18-year-old Seagraves shot down an enemy plane headed towards North Carolina, saving untold lives. ![]() Is there a chance that some of us could get on a 20-millimeter gun?” By the way, I would like to do more to serve the ship. The scene was re-staged, but the men were not photographed in their correct positions.Ĭourtesy of Mary Ames Booker, head curator of Battleship North Carolina.Īfter a gunnery officer complimented John Seagraves’ omelet, he built up the courage to ask, “Thank you, sir. After shooting down an enemy plane, John Seagraves and his 20mm gun crew were called back to their stations to stage a photo-op of the event that had just occurred. ![]()
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