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View Winners → Battleship Iowa to Honor Black History Month
Arcadia Weekly Feb 05, 2015
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February is Black History month. Battleship IOWA will honor and celebrate the impact African Americans have had in the United States Navy and to this country with a series of free events and tributes, culminating with the presentation of the second annual Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Service and Leadership Award.
On Sunday Feb. 1, a new display entitled “Celebrating the American Spirit – Battleship Iowa Salutes Black History Month” will be unveiled. Artifacts, news clippings, and photography will offer visitors insight into five pioneering black servicemen. Focusing on the contributions of Robert Penn (1872-1912), Alex Haley (1921-1992), John Henry “Dick” Turpin (1876-1962), Doris “Dorie” Miller (1919-1943) and Samuel L. Gravely (1922-2004), the display will be part of the ship’s tour through Feb. 28.
On Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5:00 p.m., the first in the monthly series “Movie Under the Guns” will open with a FREE viewing of “Tuskegee Airmen,” starring Laurence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding, Jr. This is the story of the first group of African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces, who fought the spread of fascism in Europe while facing racism at home. Special guest Lt. Col. Robert Friend will be on hand to introduce the film and do a brief question and answer session. Lt. Col. Friend is one of the surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and flew 142 combat missions over Europe in WWII.
On Wednesday Feb. 18, the Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Service and Leadership Award, which is conferred annually, will be presented. This prestigious award recognizes African Americans leaders in Southern California area who exemplify the trailblazing, courageous service of the late U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.
Gravely was the first African American to command a warship, command a major warship, to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral and command a numbered fleet. His naval career lasted 38 years, including serving as a radio communications officer aboard USS Iowa in 1952. In 2010, the Navy honored Admiral Gravely’s service by commissioning the guided missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107).
Battleship IOWA is The West Coast’s only Battleship open to the public. Operated by the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center (PBC), the IOWA opened on July 7, 2012 as an interactive naval museum at the L.A. Waterfront. It is dedicated to “Celebrating the American Spirit” through the preservation and interpretation of the Battleship IOWA. By sharing the accomplishments and sacrifices of American patriots and engaging visitors in unique and exciting ways PBC brings the ship to life by connecting the past with the future.
Battleship IOWA is open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information on these events and more, please visit www.pacificbattleship.com.
Admiral Samuel L. Gravely – Courtesy photo
