The golden thirteen

This book chronicles the stories of the first African-American officers on active duty in the U.S.

Navy, who underwent intense and segregated officer training during World War II. Despite the challenging and discriminatory environment, all sixteen candidates passed the course, with twelve being commissioned as ensigns and one as a warrant officer.

The book, introduced by Colin L. Powell, details their struggles, collective success, and the impact they had on racial justice in the military.