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Navy Mess Attendant School KV16 |
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 Picture courtesy of John Musgrove
 Picture courtesy of John Musgrove
From 1933 to 1942, Navy recuits of African descent attended this school, located in barracks at Unit "K-West" and later at "B-East." Advancement opportunities for these sailors and counterparts of Asian-Pacific Island heritage were then limited to serving as officer's cooks or stewards. The school moved to Unit "X" in 1942 before training was relocated to Bainbridge, Maryland, and elsewhere. Though racial segregation continued, all job ratings were re-opened to qualified personnel in 1942. Mess attendants were re-designated "steward's mates" in 1943, and more than 1,100 members of the messman/steward branch will killed during World War II. Norfolk trainees decorated for heroism include Navy Cross recipients Dorris Miller, William Pinckney, and Leonard Harmon.
Department of Historic Resources, 2005
Bacon Avenue and Morris Street, Norfolk Naval Base Norfolk City Virginia.
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Virginia 