Navy’s Top Legal Mind Honored for Pioneering Port Chicago Sailor Exoneration

The 1944 explosion at Port Chicago Naval Magazine, California left a lasting impact both on history and on the lives of many African-American Sailors. Amidst chaos, racial inequality prevailed. While white officers were granted leave post-disaster, African-American Sailors faced unsympathetic orders to return to duty. When 258 Sailors bravely stood their ground and refused to handle ammunition, they were handed convictions in a courts-martial process riddled with errors.

Intensive examination of both the summary and general courts-martial unveiled egregious legal missteps. The trials, marred by significant procedural flaws, included improperly joint trials where defendants had conflicting interests and a lack of meaningful right to counsel. Bizarrely, these proceedings went ahead before the Navy’s own Court of Inquiry completed its report on the explosion.

In a historic turn of events, Secretary Del Toro has exonerated the remaining 256 defendants from these flawed trials. The legal review, spearheaded by General Counsel Coffey, was instrumental in righting this historical wrong. For his dedicated efforts, Coffey received the “Port Chicago Exoneration Champion Award” from Contra Costa Justice for All.

Coffey’s relentless dedication and sharp legal acumen exposed the unfairness of the Port Chicago courts-martial. This move marks a significant step by the Department of the Navy toward rectifying past injustices, ensuring fair treatment for all service members.

Family members of the Sailors involved in the 1944 Port Chicago courts-martial are encouraged to contact the Department of the Navy for further information and future notifications. They can reach out via email at PortChicago@us.navy.mil or phone at 703-697-5342.