Portland Observer Section II Thursday, February 23, 1978 Page 23
the “wings" of Jesse L. Brown,
the first Black naval aviator.
(Ensign Brown was posthumor
ously awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross and Air Medal for
bravery during the Korean con
flict and is one of three Black
Navy Americans for whom ships
are named.)
Of the many equal opportunity
initiative pursued by the Navy in
recent years, resulting from civil
rights arts, laws and executive
orders regarding desegregation,
the Navy's Affirmative Action
Plan of 1976 has been called the
most comprehensive and sub
stantive program for furthering
equal opportunity for everyone
in the Navy. This includes an
overall recruiting objective of a
minimum twelve percent Black
enlisted, plus over six percent
other minorities.
One of the best examples of
the transition from the old Navy
to the new in terms of opportu
nity for upward mobility, plus
professional and personal growth
can be seen in the father and son
team of the Fred E. Bonner
family, from Mound Bayou, Mis
sissippi.
The elder Bonner, a radioman
master chief petty officer, (the
Navy’s top enlisted rate) who
joined the Navy a quarter of a
century ago and now is serving
on board the nuclear attack sub
marine USS Barb, never thought
he would see the day that his son.
Derek, would graduate with 58
other Blacks from the U.S. Naval
Academy at Annapolis in 1977.
“I was recruited for the ste
ward program originally in Mis
sissippi, but that was thrown
aside when I got to boot camp
and I competed with others,”
said the 42-year-old chief-of-the-
boat. “But I was not the main
inspiration for my son going to
the Naval Academy."
Ensign Derek R. Bonner, 22.
was temporarily assigned to
Navy Recruiting District, San
Diego, until January 1978, where
he worked to recruit young high
school students for college
NROTC programs as well as the
Naval Academy.
As Americans traditionally ob
serve the achievements of Blacks
in U.S. history during the month
of February, one might wonder
how many people are actually
aware of the role that Blacks
have played and continue to play
in this era of the all volunteer
Armed Forces and the freedom
of our nation.
In the words of Admiral James
L. Holloway III. chief of naval
operations, “Black history month
is more than the observance of a
race and their upward struggle
to gain their rightful place in
society. It is a time for all
Americans to become more fully
aware of the individual deeds and
achievements of Blacks.
I t . | j| ) Deri» Farta:
a t in t in the Maty medical field
Portland Public Schools and the Portland School Board
join In saluting
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
e
It is the aim of Portland Public Schools to encourage all omployoos and
students to continue to develop and practice constructive human relations.
The Portland School District consistently encourages programs in Black
history which affirmatively manifest a commitment to good human relations
and equality of educational opportunity.
Portland Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.