A Brief History
On October 11, 1972, a race riot took place not in a city, but at sea!
Digging Deeper
From the 1950s on into the 1970s, tensions among American whites and blacks were appallingly high. While we Americans commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s peaceful efforts at integration with a holiday, the March on Washington and “I have a dream” speech are but part of the story of the long and arguably still ongoing effort at promoting racial equality in our country.
By the end of the 1960s, another more violent part of that story came into play. Nationwide race riots followed the murder of MLK and violence (even at schools!) continued into the 1970s. Most of these incidents occurred in American cities, but on October 11, 1972 the unresolved question of whether or not American blacks would achieve racial equality found itself asked off the coast of Vietnam during Operation Linebacker amidst the terrible Vietnam War.
On that night, roughly 100 to 200 African American sailors rioted on the United States Navy aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk injuring at least 47 crew members. The rioters expressed their frustration with various perceived racial slights against them. They grew annoyed with what seemed to be continual assignment of degrading or menial jobs to them rather than to their white comrades or possible unequal doling out of punishments for the same infractions of black sailors versus white sailors. The officers of the carrier successfully prevented further escalation of the situation by not only dissuading the rioters from continuing, but also discouraging white sailors from retaliating. Nevertheless, three crew members were seriously injured and had to be evacuated to hospitals on shore, while nineteen rioters were eventually found guilty by the Navy for their actions. Ultimately, the incident foreshadowed another outbreak of racial unrest on a different carrier (the USS Constellation) that resulted in Congressional hearings to address the matter of race relations in the U.S. Navy. Collectively, the two incidents demonstrate that racial animosity in 1970s America went well beyond the more widely known domestic crises!
Question for students (and subscribers): Were you aware, prior to reading this article, that a race riot had occurred on an aircraft carrier? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information on this particular riot, your best bet is the book Troubled Water: Race, Mutiny, and Bravery on the USS Kitty Hawk
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="278 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=278">120 Comments
Merci beaucoup Matthew for sharing this interesting fact with us 🙂
You’re welcome and thanks for reading! 🙂
strange that I did not read more about this in high school history classes
I was wondering the same thing. Why is this not in a textbook? I know the military has a different “constitution” than the U.S. but you would think some principles would apply. Apparently not since our military is still scrutinized for its practices like dealing with the sexual assault allegations.
Truly unfortunate that racism exists… yesterday, today and more than likely tomorrow. — DAVID WARDLE
Racism is a horrible thing
Riots of any kind are a scary thing, let alone aboard a Navy ship
I think people who support racism are weak-minded individuals who have no proper reasoning for their hatred. Also, I cant imagine seeing a riot breakout on a Navy ship. Oh my.
Starting a riot on a Navy ship, not the brightest idea for these people.
Ships are interesting because if something happens on board, it’s not easy just to get up and run.
I wonder how many of the rioters were draftees and how many were volunteers.
Drafting only occurred into the army. They may have enlisted in the Navy to keep from being drafted into the army.
It is interesting to hear about a race riot on sea. The fact that it is a contained space really does change the dynamic of the riot
I was thinking similarly to Alex, the problem has to be resolved when and where it arises because there is little place to escape. It is also interesting that this took place during a war. It demonstrates just how strong the African Americans felt against their own country. While fighting one country, they still turned against their own because of the way they were being treated. It just makes you stop and think for a minute.
Its crazy to think that nearly 200 people were rioting on a ship in confined quarters. The officers in charge must have really have had a challenge in getting them to settle down and control the problem. Its so sad to see that people were not treated equally just because of skin color. Especially since they too were serving our country and defending it against our enemies to keep us safe.
I found this read to be very interesting, especially because I have never heard of either riot happening! The officers in charge had a large scale problem, but handled it appropriately; although it must have taken a lot to calm down 200+ people. I do agree Kevin, it is sad that these men were fighting for OUR country, yet they were still being treated unequally!
I never heard of this story, but it does not surprise me. The situation makes sense. These men were in close quarters for long periods of time it makes sense that there would be an issue. I am glad to read that it only took two incidents before the issue was given attention. Everyone on the Kitty Hawk should have been treated fairly. They were all putting there lives at risk for the same reason and fought for the same country.
Sounds like the writer condones rioting.
Here is the truth, I know because I was there. I had just returned to the Hawk after yet another tour in Vietnam, I met a sailor there who was stationed on the ship while in Olangapo the city at the entrance of the port in Subic Bay; he was a mixed martial arts fighter and had been and was training with a master in Olongapo which was known for that. The place that he trained was right near the “black area”. Well the sailor had left the dojo and was walking to a restaurant with other Filipino fighters when blacks from the ship came after them for being in their part of town….and real bad mistake. The result was that the sailor and his fellows from the dojo responded and kicked some ass, the blacks wouldn’t stand that even though the Shore Patrol had been called and the wounded taken away in an ambulance. The Kitty Hawk and the crew were told to leave the base within 3 hours which they did; Later the word spread and when the blacks got back to the ship, they organized a racist beat down on anyone who was white, it could have gotten worse but the Marine Deck Guards who were armed stopped the mutiny after a short time And what most don’t know because the blacks had attacked sailors who were “air dales” meaning their only job was to repair and help the planes on the ship, the air dales went after the blacks for at least two weeks, some of them were just thrown off of the ship when at see never to be seen again. And at least 12 blacks were court martial-ed and sent to military prison.
Fascinating story! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, interesting read. My father was on that ship and has tried to tell me about this. He was very upset that the real facts of the race war were trying to be covered up after the fact.
One thing almost every government does, is cover up stuff!
I was researching my father’s ship and the race wars when I came across this feed. My dad has PTSD and has had a stroke so communication is sometimes hard. He talks about being trained in martial arts while in Vietnam. We never knew what he meant. Was it common for sailors to be trained in the martial arts while serving in Vietnam? Just thought it was interesting that your story included that aspect. Do you know what the sailors name was that was being trained? Just a shot in the dark. Thanks for your time Kristi
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I don’t think the article mentions martial arts training.
Sorry, I meant this to go to original poster of the story I commented on. Sorry
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A race riot on the sea is pretty interesting. I’m glad racism s not like it was back in the old days.
Sad that Black Americans had to go to that length. We as Americans really screwed up.
I wonder if conditions got worse or better for the African Americans after the Congressional hearing. I’m sure both circumstances could be found.
I think it’s crazy how many were actually rioting on a Navy ship, Crazy!!
I can’t imagine starting a race riot on a ship would be a smart idea. It’s not like these sailor had a way to escape after starting the fight.
I would lock the whites and blacks together in a room and not let them out till they were all friends and not arguing. Or just start throwing people over board if they want to riot on a navy ship that is trying to protect the country.
Although it was extremely unfair how African Americans were treated, starting a riot on a ship was not the safest thing to do.
Even though they were treated unfairly, I don’t think it was safe for them to riot on a Navy ship.
I could not imagine a riot going on among the deck of a ship. Seems like a bad idea!
This could have ended a lot worse considering it was on a ship at sea.
Riots tend to turn violent but lives should not be taken.
I had previously heard of Kitty Hawk but didn’t know what had actually happened. This was an interesting read.
I have never heard of Kitty Hawk before until this read. Very interesting.
I’ve never heard of this before. A riot on a Navy ship could have ended very badly.
While we have a ways to go, we have come a long way in this regard.
good article i never even knew about this riot that had occured before this reading. it was interesting to learn a little about it
At least no one was actually killed on the ship. Shit might have gotten crazy had someone escalated it to that point.
Having a riot is one thing on a ship is another
riots can be tragedies with deaths. we usually think of that, but surprisingly there was no recorded deaths.
A riot on a ship sounds too dangerous then it is worth. I mean even if you are upset, what happens if you lose the fight and now have to go home with the same people you just fought with. Frustration is a strong motivator but thinking before act should always win.
Riots can be so scary, but at sea????
I was on board Kitty Hawk the evening of the race riot, I was attached to CTF77 staff, I was the staff draftsman, we did not sleep much that night, didn’t know if the trouble would reach the 03 level where our birthing compartment was.
This riot could have potentially ended very badly.
I have never heard of a riot happening on a Navy Ship. This is a very interesting article.
Although suppressed, similar incidents racked US military units across the world. Especially, units in Vietnam and Europe. Just like today, racial incidents that occur via black agitators are greatly suppressed due to the universal suspicion by authorities that if the non-black population of these constant black hate crimes, black mob attacks, etc. were at last made aware of what is actually happening around them the situation would become “more explosive” [whatever that means]. In the Kitty Hawk incident, black agitators took this incident as far as it could go. Attacking sleeping white and Hispanic sailors in their sleep was a “freebie” from the command, but after blacks threatened to sabotage the ship itself, the Marine Security Force would be directly ordered to ID all blacks deemed a threat and shoot them dead. For future reference, anyone targeted by black hate or black race vengeance [from school children to elderly in nursing homes] you likely should expect little understanding or justice from any level of responding authority. Due to the exact concern aboard the Kitty Hawk, if the victim group is made aware of this same threat, the situation becomes “more explosive”.
Can you cite any sources or documents?
This seems so dangerous. Aboard a navy ship too, and the fact that it got so out of hand that 3 had to be taken to the hospital says how scary and terrifying this must have been.
Thy could see that facism was killing people and they still decided not to really do anything about it, that shows and proves how the government does not care for anybody and riots on a navy ship is chaotic.
Although the racial protests were not the smartest, most effective plan, Congressional hearings were taken on race issues in the Navy.
I have not heard of a riot on a Navy ship. Whose bright idea was that?
Can you imagine how long these feelings must have been bottled up for the sailors to riot while at sea?
Riots where people get hurt is never the best option. I am glad things have changed in the military.
I am not surprised that the sailors were upset about getting treated different from the white sailors, but I would have to agree that a boat is not a good place to have a riot.
Very interesting. I would be scared to be on this ship.
Riots can get really scary.. I cannot imagine on a ship!
I think this sent a great message to the us government to change how the views its citizens
A riot on a ship… close quarters, like a can of sardines. I’m not to sure about it all.
It saddens me to know that a branch of the United States Military would operate in such a manner.
I cannot imagine a riot on a ship! Tight quarters would be a scary place for violence.
What a dangerous situation to be in on such a small plane. I could not imagine how scared everyone must have been.
I find it pretty sad that nationwide race riots occurred after the assassination of Martin Luther King Junior. These riots just made a bad thing (assassination) get worse.
A riot on a ship or at sea is something I never thought of before. That’s a dangerous situation.
A riot on a Navy ship, what a horrible idea. That would be absolutely terrifying.
What a dangerous situation to be in on such a small ship. I could not imagine how scared everyone must have been.
I believe that it was right to not only try to stop the rioters, but to also get the crew members to stop so that the situation didn’t escalate any further. I never heard of this particular event prior to reading this article.
Again, from this case, we also can see that race discrimination is still a serious problem in the world. African American sailors rioted on the United States Navy. How shameful it is. If everyone can treat others who has different race equally, we will never see this kind of event. The United States is the greatest country in the world because people who live in this country are equal. People should always remember it and stand against discrimination.
It must be so dangerous happened in a ship. I am so curious about how can the riots can aboard on the ship.
I can see why this riot took place. I cannot imagine what it must have been like living on the Navy ship with so much racial tension.
This is surprising and scary that it happened on a ship.
I don’t think that starting a riot on a Navy ship was the greatest idea, especailly with the close quarters and all the armory on board the ship.
That could have been disastrous a riot on a Navy ship. Not the place for a race riot.
what an interesting place for a race riot, it probably got a little crowded.
I do not understand starting riots. Most of the time they do not change anything. A riot on a ship would be frightening.
I don’t understand why people have to be so ignorant.
I could not imagine doing this on a ship. Someone does over board, and they are lost at sea. They would most likely get left behind.
Not the brightest idea ever. It is unfortunate that events like these have to occur to draw attention to the issues.
I don’t think this wasn’t the best place to do this, the risks are much higher at when you’re at sea.
I can’t imagine being in such a confined area and getting caught up in a riot. It seems like all control would be lost and it becomes detrimental for all parties involved.
Riots are rediculous as it is, but on a Navy ship??
Riots truly are a touchy and scary unpredictable thing.
I never heard of a riot taking place on a ship before. It’s comes as a surprise people would start a riot on a ship.
A riot on a navy ship. I have never heard about this. This was interesting to read about.
why would you start a riot on ship you have to be with those people til you reach land.
I’m going to take a guess that you weren’t around for Vietnam. And you don’t know a half of a half of exactly what actually happened. Because every source of info you come upon easily is probably a lie. I was there towards the end, and remember two of our top Carriers were out of commission for months, because people who had to know a lot about the huge turbines that run those boats, with just an actual ”monkey wrench” were able to, like I said, make them unusable for months. And at least once that I remember, some top big wig Admiral or some such, turned his ship being used as a troop carrier around just a day out of port, because he feared for his and his officers lives. Thought they were going to get thrown overboard. They might have been right. And any number you can easily find on the number of officers that got ”fragged”? Multiply it by a minimum of 10, to be anywhere near the truth. We’d still be in Vietnam were it not for the patriotic ”cannon fodder” who refused that role. There were unsanctioned G.I. newspapers when I was there, and one time there was an offer of more than ten grand to anyone that killed one certain General. The TV channel that ”thinks” for you won’t mention this, but remember Pat Tillman? Gave up a multi million dollar NFL contract to, what he thought at the time, fight terrorism. Well, it didn’t take long before he was making known loud and clear that what they were asking was illegal and he was going to return to the U.S. and tell everyone who’d listen.. A lot of people would have listened, so they murdered him. The so called, but fake ”news” will tell you he was a victim of the Taliban, or at most was a victim of a ”friendly fire” incident. But the military doctor that did the Post on him would not and still will not change the cause of death he put on the death certificate he signed. He lists ”Homicide”. Where do you think all the heroin is coming from? Afghanistan, that’s where! And the criminals in Washington know it. And these few details are but the tiny tip of a big iceberg that’s becoming visible to all but the densest, most brainwashed among y’all. I haven’t been in the States in nearly a decade and what you are fed as ”news” could very well be from a different planet than what most of the rest of the world knows. I’m a pilot and am in a minimum of three continents a year, or it’s a slow year or I’m just taking off for whatever reason.
I’m a little surprised that everyone involved wasn’t prosecuted for engaging in such nonsense on a Navy ship..
Racial unrest is seen even on Navy ships. If people fee they are treated badly, or differently because of the color of their skin eventually they will rebel.
I am completely against any type of rioting. If I was in charge of the ship, that would have been their last ride and they all would have been kicked out.
I can’t believe the race violence grew far and wide to other places. It is sad to read about a riot on a Navy ship where they are already in close quarters! It is disturbing to see these people take out frustrations of theirown personal views on a ship that you are supposed to be representing our country of freedom!
Interesting story. Before Viet Nam it seems as though in times of war blacks and whites worked together for the greater good of the country, which allows one to conclude that the political unrest seen within the country drove black sailors to riot during Viet Nam.
This seems extra dangerous for everyone on board the ship.
I would be scared to death if I was on a ship where a riot started and I didn’t have anywhere to go.
I never heard these stories of Sailors rioting on the Naval ships. I’m glad they stood up for their rights but I believe they could handled it differently.
The rioters expressed their frustration with various perceived racial slights against them.
Great example of poor leadership aboard the Kitty Hawk. Such actions are a direct reflection of the Captain and such behavior has no place in the military.
To be honest, I don’t blame these men for starting a riot. They were frustrated and I agree that Black men should be treated the same as White men, as we are all equal.
Violence (Riots) is not a way to get your thoughts or feelings heard. I was very surprised that there was two riots on a Navy Ships and I had never heard of them until now.
I don’t understand the thought process behind starting a riot in a place with such close quarters.
I understand people want their voices heard, but to start a riot on a Navy ship or anywhere else is not going to change what happened.
This just shows how appallingly high racial tension was between blacks and whites in the 1950’s-1970’s when a race riots occurs on a Unites States Naval Vessel. The military is know for their bond with the people they serve with and the fact that the racial tension back then affected even the military and the bond that it is suppose to form speaks volumes of how bad race relations was back then, especially with the injury of 47 crew members.
If you want the world to know about thought, just have the select a few to protest.
luckily no one was killed in the rioting.
Riot’s are incredibly scary on ground I could not imagine how bad it was on a ship, good thing no one was killed.
There will always be someone who feels they are being treated unfairly. In addition there will always be a boss that treats someone unfair. There is never a reason to start a riot over it. I realize that I have know idea what it was like then and I can not begin judge the situation.
That is scary and sad. It’s too bad we as a nation had not recognized racial equality sooner. Many lives could have been saved.
I’ve never heard of a riot take place on a Navy ship. Probably not the smartest idea to do that while at sea.
The “Shitty Kitty” (Kitty Hawk) was decommissioned the year I joined the Navy! I remember hearing some history about this event that took place. If I remember correctly, it was a group of Marines that started some uproar by trying to disrupt SOS protests. (The Marines were hospitalized according to the person who presented the information to me) I know I would not want to be on board during a riot! I would hide my rear end in the Combat Information Center (CIC) with a bag of chips and and lock the door!!
I definately wouldn’t want to be on a navy ship when a riot breaks out!
I really am shocked that a riot would break out on a ship full of people, I would have been so scared. Ultimately this was a sad and thank goodness no one was killed during this, having no where to run I probably would have jumped off the ship depending on how bad the riot was.
Who just starts a riot on a Navy ship? I would think they would know better than to do that.
We had the march at Washington and a riot at sea as well, I had no idea.
I know that in American history, based on race, there was fight between American white and black. Nowadays, people are treating the same standard.
How scary to be stuck at sea in the middle of a riot while at war! Then again, had the white sailors not been racist this wouldn’t have happened.
Well, they aren’t that smart, are they? Nope. Why would you start a riot on a boat IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WATER?! How smart are you?!
Whether or not you agree with the rioters, their actions got the attention of the Navy Brass, the Federal government, and the media.