A Brief History
On August 31, 1943, the Buckley Class destroyer, USS Harmon (DE-678) was commissioned, the first American Navy ship named after an African-American person. The Harmon got its name from the heroic Leonard Roy Harmon, a Mess Attendant aboard the USS San Francisco in 1942.
Digging Deeper
Back in World War II there were limited specialties available to African-American sailors in the segregated armed forces of the United States, and for the most part African-American sailors were limited to service type positions. Of course, on board a warship sailors have to have emergency duties assigned for combat, and Harmon was assigned damage control and caring for wounded sailors. During the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942, the cruiser San Francisco was in a battle for its existence against heavy Japanese naval forces. Severely damaged, the ship’s captain and Rear Admiral Callaghan in charge of the fleet were both killed, along with a total of 77 killed, 105 wounded and 7 missing crewmen.
Harmon gallantly worked furiously to aid the wounded, and was killed when he protected a wounded shipmate against enemy fire with his own body, costing Harmon his life. Harmon was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest US medal. His citation reads: “The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Mess Attendant First Class Leonard Roy Harmon, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during action against enemy Japanese naval forces near Savo Island in the Solomon Islands on the night of 12–13 November 1942. With persistent disregard of his own personal safety, Mess Attendant First Class Harmon rendered invaluable assistance in caring for the wounded and assisting them to a dressing station. In addition to displaying unusual loyalty in behalf of the injured Executive Officer, he deliberately exposed himself to hostile gunfire in order to protect a shipmate and, as a result of this courageous deed, was killed in action. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, maintained above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Originally the ship that became the HMS Aylmer was to be named the USS Harmon, but that ship was transferred to the British Navy, leaving DE-678 to become the Harmon. A modest sized ship built for escorting larger ships, the Harmon was 306 feet long with a beam of 37 feet, displacing 1673 tons in normal fitting. Armed with a triple threat of 3 X 3 inch guns, 3 X 40mm guns, and 3 X 21 inch torpedo tubes, as well as depth charges and smaller anti-aircraft guns, the Harmon had a decent bite to accompany its bark. The Buckley Class Destroyer Escorts (called Frigates by the British) were built in large numbers, with 102 being completed. Some ships of this design were built as high speed transports. Speed varied from 24 to 27 knots for this class. Assigned to the Pacific theater, Harmon earned 3 Battle Stars, but was decommissioned in 1947 as the enormous war sized Navy was trimmed down. (In March 1945, Harmon’s 3 inch guns were replaced with 5 inch guns.)
Leonard Harmon was just 25 years old when he died, but his legacy should be remembered as long as there is a US Navy.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Navy Emporium USS Harmon DE 678 Framed Navy Ship Display Blue.
US Navy cachet postal cover USS Harmon DE-72 Launching 7/25 1943.
The featured image in this article, “DEMOCRACY IN ACTION” No.IV by Charles Henry Alston (1907-1977), is a work of the United States Department of the Treasury, taken or made as part of an employee’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="14644 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=14644">64 Comments
I think it’s nice that this was the first war ship to be named after an African-American.
I think it’s fantastic that United States named a ship after such a noble man who gave his life. I wonder since it was 1943 if naming the ship after an African American during this time cause controversy since this was able the time of the civil rights movement.
Leonard Harmon was a soldier and a hero. He deserved a ship named after him and so glad he got the Navy Cross.
This was a huge accomplishment during the 1940’s- to have a ship named after an African American. I believe Harmon wholeheartedly deserved it too!
It was so unheard of to have an African American get this kind of recognition. I am happy that he got the recognition that he deserved.
Harmon was a very brave and honorable man for sacrificing his own life to save a wounded shipmate from enemy fire. He definitely deserves to be the first African American man to have an American Navy ship named after him.
I love the fact that a ship was named after Harmon. It is pretty cool to see how African Americans were getting more recognition at this time. Perhaps it was due to their great contributions, eventually leading to more African American rights shortly after the wars.
Leonard Harmon is the epitome of selflessness. He should be emphasized in the teaching of WWII to future generations so that they can learn what selflessness sacrifice for your country looks like.
I can’t believe that Leonard Harmon died at the age of twenty five. To me, this is a very short lived but well lived life. Harmon had a huge impact on the soldiers of World War 2 and will most likely never be forgotten.
I always love learning about break throughs for those of different races, or women. The amount of work that had to be done to break the molds had a major impact on the U.S.
I think it is great that an African American during this time period was recognized and honored for his sacrifices.
what a great way to honor Harmon! Its too bad he had to die to be honored though.
I can only imagine the courage it would take to sacrifice your own life to protect someone else. I’m glad Harmon was honored for his courage and bravery.
This is such a jump for culture in that time period but a hero is always reconized
The selflessness of Harmon is something that should be carried through the country and teaching of this historical event. He should have been honored while he was still living, it is a shame that it took his death and sacrifice for him to be recognized.
What a great way to honor Harmon for giving the ultimate sacrifice. It is unfortunate that Harmon had to experience segregation as an African-American serving in the armed forces.
I like the last sentence of the article– “His legacy should be remembered as long as there is a US Navy.” A great soldier should not be distinguished by nationality and race. Harmon is a great soldier.
Hero is always be recognized and remember, he is great soldier.
Harmon deserved to be honored in this way. Harmon being an individual who had to experience segregation is sad to deal with because of the kind of individual that he was. I too enjoyed the quote that Jingshan mentioned. That is a great way to honor a great individual.
I believe that Harmon deserved to be honored. To put your life in risk to save someone else is courageous.
Harmon was a hero and I’m glad he was honored.
It just amazes me how many heroes we have step up and go above and beyond in times of emergency just shows why are military is one of the best in the world.
I think that it is amazing how many heroes that have stepped to go above and beyond in the time of emergency. Harmon was a hero and I am very glad that he was honored.
Harmon was a true selfless war hero. He deserved the Navy Cross along with his name being remembered for all of history.
A shame we are still having conflicts over race today. What Harmon did, deserved the naming of the ship and the navy cross, A true hero.
think thats a good way of stopping segregation and treating different races as less of people or trying to enslave them , it is a stepping stone makes me proud, besides i never knew of any of these facts.
It’s amazing to see how much people are willing to do for others! It’s also sad to think about the race tensions we’re currently experiencing.
It’s disappointing that racism even occurs in our military. Makes me happy to read stories like this. Amazing people.
I am so thankful for the heroes such as Harmon. He did so much for others.
Its great to see that this man was honored for his duty, and not judged because of his skin color.
Its great how many people stepped up to be heroes.
What a brave man.
It is very sad that he only was 25 years old when he died. I am glad he was honored the way he was, especially during that time period.
Extreme bravery. I am glad we could overcome segregation to name a ship after a man who definitely deserved the honor.
It is really unfortunate that Harmon had to die to be honored.
@Kayla Fox, I definitely agree with your comment. I do think that it is great that a true hero has been given this honor though!
Love the stories of heroism and that fact that he actually got some recognition
His family must have been very proud that he was recognized as a hero.
Any sacrifice made by any man regardless of color should be appropriately honored. I’m glad this decision was made.
I agree with you shouldn’t mater what color if you earn it
I am the same I think anyone no mater what race should be awarded the honor if they disserve it
What a great honor for a hero.
Nice to see heroes recognized for their actions and during a time when race a factor.
Such a shame he died at such a young age, but what a great hero!
It’s awesome to hear about someone who was a minority during this time and that he did something so heroic. It was hard for African American’s to be able to participate in things during that time so it is good to see that he got recognized for his great efforts.
It is hard to imagine that a ship was not named after an African-American until WWII. At this time and in previous wars, the African-American soldiers served in segregated units. I am glad that he was honored for what he did.
What a valiant effort that Harmon put forth. I love hearing of people who led by honorable actions to prove how wrong segregation was. Although it was terrible that Harmon lost his life, he definitely helped put a foot in the right direction towards ending segregation and letting the masses know that the color of your skin does not define the man or the soul.
Harmon was awarded the Navy Cross which was the second highest US medal. Wish he didn’t die.
The only African-American sailor I heard of was Dorris Miller who shot down Japanese planes at Pearl Harbor. I never heard of the story of Leonard Roy Harmon. His heroic actions should be told more.
I had never heard of Leonard Roy Harmon he was a great american as well as a hero. Glad he was awarded with the Navy Cross for his efforts.
I have stated before that awarding a medal to someone after their death is more for the family and not for the individual. Leonard Harmon’s family must have been very proud of him. They should also be proud of themselves, they did not raise a selfish man. Leonard was much deserving of the Navy Cross and everyone should know exactly what he did.
The overt and rampant segregation found in the armed forces during this time is truly a deep, dark, and lasting stain on U.S. history. Why isn’t this sailor and his story known more to the masses? His gallantry should be lauded for as long as there is a U.S. Navy.
I am forever shocked by stories like this. I can’t fathom how an individual can so bravely sacrifice his life for a system that has constantly discriminated against them.
I agree I hate so many things in history, and that specific point in time is definitely at the top of my list. It was such an unnecessary, unjustified and avoidable time period.
It is amazing that someone who was literally being segregated by white people, gave his own life to protect them, his shipmates.
What a wonderful way to honor Harmon; though, it is very annoying to segregate in war! I understand it was part of the times, but I still find it unnecessary.
Never heard of Harmon but he should be honored more. Things that happened during this period of time was just unbelievable and uncalled for and he took and protected his shipmates. He should have also been awarded while he was alive.
I appreciate hearing articles about military heroes! What a great way to honor him.
Harmon sounds like a true hero even after everything he was put through. I am glad he was honored in some way!
I didn’t know there was a ship named after a African American and I didn’t know the things that Leonard Harmon.
That’s interesting there was a ship named after an African American! Why did I not learn about half of this stuff in high school?!
i never know this history about Africa American about USS Harmon
Leonard Harmon was died so young. I never heard of that the first ship was naming African American, it is pretty meaningful
He was so young to have died and served as he did. I am grateful that the American Government gave him credit and honored him by naming a ship after him.