Port Chicago National Park Dedication, July 17, 2010

The Largest Homeland Disaster During World War II



On the evening of July 17, 1944, residents in the San Francisco east bay area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that blew out windows as far south as Danville windows and lit up the night sky in three counties. At the Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men, mostly African-American, were instantly killed when the munitions ships they were loading with ammunition for the Pacific theatre troops blew up.




Port Chicago National Memorial is about many things. It's about the tragedy of loss of life. It's about discrimination, segregation and the very beginnings of civil rights for all Americans. It's also about the coming together as a nation to learn from our past mistakes. Please take the extra time and energy and come visit Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, our newest National Park site.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Port Chicago CA
• WWII
• July 17
• 1944
• Port Chicago Mutiny
• Port Chicago National Park

[SeaOrica]

What a great day! There was a SPIRIT like no other and it was carried in the WIND! Now a place has been established to HONOR those who paid the ultimate price.

-Karen

[SeaOrica]

Thank you for posting this video of Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, 17JUL10. This day marked the 66th anniversary of the explosion of two ships, the pier and surrounding buildings, along with the death of 320 sailors and merchant mariners. The site was also dedicated as a unit of the National Park Service.

Personnel of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division participated and are wearing the modified-US Navy Service Dress White Uniform.