In KTB #110 last month, LEE DUNLAP (3168-1993) asked if any black sailors served aboard American submarines before or during W W II. We got the answer from our Brit who joined the US Navy to fight in the Pacific, JOE BURGES (605-AL-1988).

JOE tells us that indeed, there were ratings aboard American submarines for blacks. Each boat carried in her crew, two Mess-Mates, which were either Filipino or black sailors. On his boat, USS BLOWER (SS 325), the Mess-Mates were two black sailors. The Mess-Mates always slept in the 'bridal suite" which was a hanging bunk at the entrance to the forward torpedo room, just beneath the torpedo loading hatch.

As the boat was provisioning for another patrol in Australia, the Skipper, 'Soupy' Campbell reminded the Senior Mess-Mate that he had already made eleven war patrols and he asked if the sailor was ready to be transferred off the boat. After all, eleven war patrols is a lot for an American submarine.

The sailor thought for a moment, then told the Skipper that he would go ahead and make the twelfth war patrol but then he added, "Sir, neither you or God above can make me take the 13th patrol!"

JOE, many thanks for this update. See you in Russia!