Patriots Point To Host Free Symposium About African Americans In World War II

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum will discuss the utilization and segregation of African American service members in World War II during a free Black History Month symposium aboard the USS Yorktown on Thursday, February 21 at 10 a.m.

Panelists will include World War II veteran and South Carolina native Rufus Lockwood, and College of Charleston professor Michael Owens.  Owens has conducted more than a dozen oral histories with African American veterans and recently published the book “Burned: Conversations with a Black WWII Veteran.”

During the symposium, Lockwood will share memories of life as a young black man during the war, specifically his military training and segregation.  Owens will discuss the importance of preserving oral histories for future generations and will tell accounts he’s gathered through various interviews.  In conclusion of the ceremony, Owens will conduct an oral history with Lockwood in front of the audience which will include students from several local middle schools.

The Black History Month program is part of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum’s “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things” symposium series.  Those attending the event will be given free admission and parking.