WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2024) Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro signs two different orders, one for the General Courts Martial and one for the Summary Courts Martial, to set aside all 256 Sailors convicted as part of the Port Chicago incident July 17, 2024. On the evening of July 17, 1944, munitions being loaded onto cargo vessel Steam Ship E.A. Bryan detonated, killing 320 Sailors and civilians, and injuring an additional 390. Most of the fallen were African American men, many of their bodies unrecognizable because of the explosion Surviving Sailors, traumatized by the blast, unsafe working conditions, lack of training, and fearful for their lives, refused to continue loading munitions under said conditions. (U.S. Navy video by...
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the names of the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyers, the future USS Richard J. Danzig (DDG 143) and the future USS Michael G. Mullen (DDG 144) during a U.S. Naval Academy Commencement Week ceremony, May 22.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine - (July 20, 2024) - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro pays respects with families and loved ones of descendants of the Port Chicago disaster on its 80 year anniversary, July 20, 2024. On the evening of July 17, 1944, munitions being loaded onto cargo vessel Steam Ship E.A. Bryan detonated, killing 320 Sailors and civilians, and injuring an additional 390. Most of the fallen were African American men, many of their bodies unrecognizable because of the explosion Surviving Sailors, traumatized by the blast, unsafe working conditions, lack of training, and fearful for their lives, refused to continue loading munitions under said conditions. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist William Bennett IV)