US Navy Exonerates 256 Port Chicago Sailors

The U.S. Navy has exonerated 256 Black sailors who were unjustly punished in 1944 following a catastrophic explosion at Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California. The explosion, which killed 320 people and injured 400, exposed significant racial disparities as Black sailors were forced to resume dangerous work without proper training, while white officers were given leave. The sailors' refusal to continue without safety measures led to the largest mutiny trial in Navy history, resulting in convictions that have now been overturned 80 years later. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro cited significant legal errors in the original trials, emphasizing the sailors' bravery and the injustice they endured. President Joe Biden praised the decision, noting the courage of these sailors and their families in the face of systemic racism. This exoneration marks a significant step in addressing historical racial injustices within the U.S. military.