Keywords: US Navy 040226-N-0000X-001 File photo, Golden Thirteen.jpg en Naval Historical Center Washington D C File photo In February 1944 the Navy commissioned its first African-American officers This long-hoped-for action represented a major step forward in the status of African-Americans in the Navy and in American society The twelve commissioned officers and a warrant officer who received his rank at the same time came to be known as the Golden Thirteen March 17 1944 photo Top row John Walter Reagan Jesse Walter Arbor Dalton Louis Baugh Frank Ellis Sublett Middle row Graham Edward Martin Charles Byrd Lear Phillip George Barnes Reginald E Goodwin Bottom row James Edward Hair Samuel Edward Barnes George Clinton Cooper William Sylvester White Dennis Denmark Nelson U S Navy photo RELEASED 040226-N-0000X-001 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 12152 U S Navy photo PD-USGov-Military-Navy People of the United States Navy |