1 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:07,260 50 miles north of Oakland, the Naval Munitions Base, Port Chicago, is abuzz 2 00:00:07,260 --> 00:00:08,260 activity. 3 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:12,260 Working around the clock, sailors load the bombs and ammunition our fighting 4 00:00:12,260 --> 00:00:13,260 need. 5 00:00:13,620 --> 00:00:17,980 It's tough going, but these sailors know they're doing their part to beat back 6 00:00:17,980 --> 00:00:19,100 the Japanese in the Pacific. 7 00:00:19,580 --> 00:00:21,940 Port Chicago, gateway to victory. 8 00:00:25,300 --> 00:00:26,300 Whoa. 9 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:28,420 Our back is killing me. 10 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:29,920 Loading those bombs? 11 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:31,640 Be grateful it's just your back. 12 00:00:32,430 --> 00:00:36,510 Are you sure you told them girls and a friend 9 o 'clock? How many times I 13 00:00:36,510 --> 00:00:37,510 tell you? 14 00:00:38,410 --> 00:00:40,970 Hey, how many times you figure we loaded on our shift today? 15 00:00:41,590 --> 00:00:42,590 About 250. 16 00:00:43,010 --> 00:00:45,590 Including that 500 -pounder Johnson dropped on the deck. 17 00:00:45,810 --> 00:00:47,130 They got us working too fast. 18 00:00:47,530 --> 00:00:51,050 Yeah, but if we fill the lieutenant's tonnage quota, we get Saturday liberty. 19 00:00:52,930 --> 00:00:57,190 Oh, my 20 00:00:57,190 --> 00:01:01,030 God. 21 00:01:01,950 --> 00:01:02,950 That was our ship. 22 00:01:56,340 --> 00:01:57,540 Admiral, may I have a minute? 23 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:01,420 Sure. Sir, with Lieutenant Roberts detached, I imagine you'll be spreading 24 00:02:01,420 --> 00:02:03,740 workload around. I was hoping for my share of big cases. 25 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:06,820 No small cases, only small lawyers, Lieutenant. 26 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,180 Yes, sir. Just saying, please keep me in mind. 27 00:02:10,539 --> 00:02:13,660 You're often on my mind, Lieutenant. Yes, sir. Sir, one more thing. 28 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,320 In Lieutenant Roberts' absence, I'd like to request that I move into his office. 29 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:19,880 I'll think about it. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. 30 00:02:21,920 --> 00:02:22,920 Admiral, you have a visitor. 31 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:24,240 Thank you, Connor. 32 00:02:27,070 --> 00:02:28,070 Chaplain Turner. 33 00:02:28,230 --> 00:02:31,430 Admiral, I hope you don't mind my arresting these old bones. They've been 34 00:02:31,430 --> 00:02:32,570 hibernating all winter. 35 00:02:32,790 --> 00:02:33,509 Not at all. 36 00:02:33,510 --> 00:02:35,770 Good to see you. What do I owe this pleasure? 37 00:02:36,630 --> 00:02:41,390 Well, I got a call this morning from an old friend who may need some legal 38 00:02:41,390 --> 00:02:42,390 advice. 39 00:02:42,570 --> 00:02:46,550 You're familiar with the World War II disaster at Port Chicago? 40 00:02:46,930 --> 00:02:48,330 As a matter of fact, I am. 41 00:02:49,580 --> 00:02:55,300 1944, an explosion at a Navy base near Oakland killed 320 men. Yes, most of the 42 00:02:55,300 --> 00:02:56,520 seamen African -Americans. 43 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,820 Well, afterwards, some of the sailors refused to go back to work, said it was 44 00:03:00,820 --> 00:03:05,560 unsafe. Navy convicted 50 of mutiny. Well, one of the men, a sailor that I 45 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:11,080 at Great Lakes back in 48, Aubrey McBride, has petitioned for a new day in 46 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,440 court. Just got word of it this morning. 47 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:15,560 Enter. 48 00:03:16,180 --> 00:03:17,820 Sir, Sir, Tyner stepped away. 49 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:22,000 Dad. Sturgis came by your office looking for you. 50 00:03:22,620 --> 00:03:25,700 You're out. I was hoping you'd join us. Have a seat, Commander. 51 00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:29,760 Your father and I were just discussing Port Chicago. 52 00:03:30,140 --> 00:03:33,920 One of the convicted men, an old sailor friend of your father, requested a new 53 00:03:33,920 --> 00:03:34,819 court -martial. 54 00:03:34,820 --> 00:03:37,940 I thought the Port Chicago 50 were all discharged from the Navy. 55 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,420 Albert McBride petitioned to stay in. 56 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,820 Did his 30 years, made chief, and retired with benefits. 57 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:47,060 I'll be honest, A .J. 58 00:03:47,580 --> 00:03:49,860 I'm not sure the new court -martial is a good idea. 59 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:53,640 Chief McBride has a tendency to push too hard sometimes. 60 00:03:54,180 --> 00:03:57,860 You want somebody to talk to him? I'd appreciate it. I just want to make sure 61 00:03:57,860 --> 00:03:59,180 doesn't shoot himself in the foot. 62 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:00,440 I'll see to it. 63 00:04:00,580 --> 00:04:01,580 Thank you, Admiral. 64 00:04:02,340 --> 00:04:03,720 We still on for dinner Sunday? 65 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,400 If you're not cooking... We'll go to the old club. 66 00:04:08,380 --> 00:04:09,560 I'll be in touch, A .J. 67 00:04:15,260 --> 00:04:19,660 Chief McBride retires at full benefits. Why is he going after the Navy now, sir? 68 00:04:20,079 --> 00:04:21,680 Well, that's what you're going to find out. 69 00:04:22,100 --> 00:04:24,180 It's my dad's idea, sir? It's my idea. 70 00:04:26,540 --> 00:04:28,200 Commander Reb and Colonel McKenzie busy, sir? 71 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:29,880 This is a sensitive matter. 72 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:34,180 The Navy would like to have it settled, and I need a level head. 73 00:04:35,280 --> 00:04:36,159 Yes, sir. 74 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:37,160 That'll be all. 75 00:04:41,020 --> 00:04:43,780 Let me help you with that, man. 76 00:04:44,270 --> 00:04:45,270 Thank you, Turner. 77 00:04:45,490 --> 00:04:46,710 Is this your lunch, Lieutenant? 78 00:04:47,230 --> 00:04:52,530 No, it's a chicken, three shrimp stir -fry, two pounds of raw chuck, and a 79 00:04:52,530 --> 00:04:53,630 roast. Interested? 80 00:04:54,150 --> 00:04:55,870 I've had a complete breakfast, ma 'am. 81 00:04:56,130 --> 00:04:57,770 Would you stow these in the freezer for me? 82 00:04:58,370 --> 00:04:59,370 No problem, Lieutenant. 83 00:04:59,670 --> 00:05:00,489 Thank you. 84 00:05:00,490 --> 00:05:01,490 Morning, sir. 85 00:05:02,490 --> 00:05:04,470 My refrigerator's broken again, sir. 86 00:05:05,110 --> 00:05:06,510 Oh, call your landlord. 87 00:05:06,730 --> 00:05:09,690 Oh, he's UA, and the repairman can't come for three days. 88 00:05:10,330 --> 00:05:13,190 Bud used to take care of this stuff for me. You know, I'm not doing anything 89 00:05:13,190 --> 00:05:14,190 tonight. I'll pop by. 90 00:05:15,130 --> 00:05:17,390 That'd be great, sir. Have you ever fixed a refrigerator before? 91 00:05:17,730 --> 00:05:19,110 How hard can it be? 92 00:05:19,530 --> 00:05:23,150 It's a closed system. The compressors are sealed. When did you become an 93 00:05:23,150 --> 00:05:27,130 on refrigerators? I'm not. I've just learned to steer clear of home repairs 94 00:05:27,130 --> 00:05:28,130 my freezer's on the blink. 95 00:05:28,850 --> 00:05:30,490 When was the last time you fixed anything? 96 00:05:30,930 --> 00:05:32,490 Oh, my vet's working pretty good. 97 00:05:35,810 --> 00:05:38,050 It'll be all right. I wish I could believe that, sir. 98 00:05:39,150 --> 00:05:41,350 It's not about the refrigerator, but about everything. 99 00:05:41,950 --> 00:05:45,890 My apartment's too small. It's noisy. The traffic is terrible. If A .J. gets 100 00:05:45,890 --> 00:05:46,910 sick, I'm an hour away. 101 00:05:47,830 --> 00:05:49,790 It's just going to take some getting used to. 102 00:05:50,230 --> 00:05:51,230 Bud being gone. 103 00:05:51,370 --> 00:05:53,270 If you need anything, just ask, all right? 104 00:05:53,910 --> 00:05:55,250 Help me buy a new house, sir? 105 00:06:01,070 --> 00:06:02,930 Sir Jackson, you or your father? 106 00:06:04,090 --> 00:06:05,650 I'm here on official business, sir. 107 00:06:06,050 --> 00:06:08,050 Your dad tells me you're good, Commander. 108 00:06:08,930 --> 00:06:09,930 He's biased, Chief. 109 00:06:10,510 --> 00:06:12,510 Jag lawyer and a submariner. 110 00:06:13,070 --> 00:06:15,550 The Navy sure has changed a lot, sir. 111 00:06:16,130 --> 00:06:18,150 Yes, it has, which is actually the reason I'm here. 112 00:06:18,370 --> 00:06:20,490 The Navy wants me to keep my trap shut? 113 00:06:20,790 --> 00:06:24,750 I'm just here to listen, Chief. But I do have to ask what goods you think can 114 00:06:24,750 --> 00:06:25,930 come from reopening this case. 115 00:06:26,250 --> 00:06:28,810 Are you sure you've chaplained Turner's son, Commander? 116 00:06:29,990 --> 00:06:32,550 I'm not going to lie to you, Chief. The Navy would like to see if this matter 117 00:06:32,550 --> 00:06:34,670 can be resolved without going to court -martial. 118 00:06:36,780 --> 00:06:42,100 My buddy Randall Winston and I enlisted in the Navy at 16 after Pearl Harbor. 119 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:47,700 We read some newspaper stories about Dory Miller, a black mess attendant who 120 00:06:47,700 --> 00:06:50,360 manned a gun and shot down a bunch of Japanese planes. 121 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:58,440 When we got our orders to Port Chicago, Randall said, see, all they figure a 122 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:01,580 black man can do is guard the White Sox dugout. 123 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:03,440 And I said, no, Randall. 124 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,120 We're going to Port Chicago, California. 125 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:08,840 They're sending us to fight in the Pacific. 126 00:07:10,940 --> 00:07:12,940 Turns out Randolph was right. 127 00:07:17,620 --> 00:07:22,940 You boys here with 6th Division loaded yesterday? 128 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:24,960 160 tons. 129 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:29,420 You boys load 165 by 1500? 130 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:33,520 You get liberty. If not, you don't. 131 00:07:35,820 --> 00:07:42,180 While I was at Port Chicago, I learned Dory Miller was lost at sea. I saw a 132 00:07:42,180 --> 00:07:46,860 newsreel of Jesse Owens running against a horse. And I knew they weren't going 133 00:07:46,860 --> 00:07:50,880 to let us fight. I appreciate your aim. You can't appreciate a damn thing, 134 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:55,480 Commander. You're so accepted by the system, you've become it. 135 00:07:55,700 --> 00:08:01,280 A mouthpiece for the Secretary of the Navy. Excuse me, but I speak for all of 136 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:02,840 the Navy and my country. 137 00:08:03,310 --> 00:08:06,510 And I'm not sure dredging up this divisive incident from the past serves 138 00:08:06,510 --> 00:08:08,890 interest, especially now when we should all be pulling together. 139 00:08:11,710 --> 00:08:12,710 Well, 140 00:08:14,110 --> 00:08:15,790 you got some vinegar after all. 141 00:08:16,850 --> 00:08:18,190 Could have used you in 44. 142 00:08:21,390 --> 00:08:23,870 Those munitions ships were a powder keg. 143 00:08:24,410 --> 00:08:27,070 To go back to work under the same conditions was suicide. 144 00:08:35,530 --> 00:08:36,549 Is everything okay, sir? 145 00:08:38,990 --> 00:08:40,730 Yeah. Yeah, it's coming pretty good. 146 00:08:41,130 --> 00:08:42,130 Are you done, sir? 147 00:08:42,950 --> 00:08:44,610 It just needs a little fine -tuning. 148 00:08:46,090 --> 00:08:52,190 Do you have any duct tape? I don't know. Let me ask Bud. Bud, where is the duct 149 00:08:52,190 --> 00:08:53,190 tape? 150 00:08:54,470 --> 00:08:57,030 It's in a shoebox in the closet. 151 00:08:59,330 --> 00:09:00,650 He says we have some in the closet. 152 00:09:01,030 --> 00:09:02,030 Oh. 153 00:09:10,949 --> 00:09:12,210 Why we need a bigger place? 154 00:09:13,090 --> 00:09:15,130 Plus, Bud and I are thinking about having another child. 155 00:09:16,490 --> 00:09:17,490 Really? 156 00:09:17,750 --> 00:09:18,770 That's great, Harriet. 157 00:09:19,570 --> 00:09:22,090 Difficult, though, with Bud gone for six months at a time. 158 00:09:22,330 --> 00:09:24,290 Yeah, he may only go so far. 159 00:09:28,470 --> 00:09:31,830 I was just thinking again about buying a house, Bud. 160 00:09:32,410 --> 00:09:34,010 Maybe I could start looking. 161 00:09:36,150 --> 00:09:37,150 Good morning, Lieutenant. 162 00:09:37,450 --> 00:09:38,450 Good morning. 163 00:09:39,980 --> 00:09:44,620 I just don't think this is the time, Harriet. There are too many things up in 164 00:09:44,620 --> 00:09:45,620 the air. 165 00:09:45,680 --> 00:09:47,660 We'll talk more about it later. 166 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:49,740 Don't work too hard, sweetie. 167 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,020 Let your legal man do his share. 168 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:55,540 Anything I can do for you, sir? 169 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:56,840 No, thank you, sweetie. 170 00:09:58,100 --> 00:09:59,120 Petty officer. 171 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:00,600 Thank you. 172 00:10:03,340 --> 00:10:05,800 Don't worry, sweetie. 173 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:07,840 My legal man is great. 174 00:10:08,140 --> 00:10:09,140 Gotta go. 175 00:10:09,390 --> 00:10:10,890 Love to you and AJ. 176 00:10:12,310 --> 00:10:13,310 Email home, sir? 177 00:10:13,890 --> 00:10:14,890 Yeah. 178 00:10:15,310 --> 00:10:16,310 How are things? 179 00:10:16,930 --> 00:10:18,030 What's doing great, sir? 180 00:10:19,590 --> 00:10:21,250 Sir, do you ever think about buying a house? 181 00:10:21,830 --> 00:10:24,070 Not unless I get married. 182 00:10:25,050 --> 00:10:26,730 Unless or until, sir. 183 00:10:28,210 --> 00:10:29,370 How's the fridge doing, sir? 184 00:10:30,490 --> 00:10:31,610 Duct tape didn't work. 185 00:10:32,310 --> 00:10:33,430 You'll think of something, sir. 186 00:10:36,230 --> 00:10:37,230 Yeah. 187 00:10:37,770 --> 00:10:38,770 So, come in. 188 00:10:39,290 --> 00:10:42,830 Secnav wants to know why an old man's causing so much trouble after all these 189 00:10:42,830 --> 00:10:44,390 years. He's not alone. 190 00:10:45,430 --> 00:10:49,370 At my age, sir, alone gets to be a way of life. 191 00:10:50,250 --> 00:10:51,450 More so every day. 192 00:10:54,910 --> 00:10:57,370 Randolph Winston and I were there that night. 193 00:10:58,050 --> 00:10:59,310 We saw the fireball. 194 00:11:00,730 --> 00:11:01,730 Heard the screams. 195 00:11:02,950 --> 00:11:06,050 He's one of the 50 convicted of mutiny that recognized the name. 196 00:11:06,410 --> 00:11:08,650 He told me one day he was going to set the record straight. 197 00:11:09,190 --> 00:11:11,270 And I told him I'd have his back when he did. 198 00:11:13,370 --> 00:11:15,470 You want to know why I'm doing this, Commander? 199 00:11:18,570 --> 00:11:19,970 I've got a promise to keep. 200 00:11:21,930 --> 00:11:24,070 He really wants to go to court, Marshal. 201 00:11:24,430 --> 00:11:25,470 Yes, he does, sir. 202 00:11:26,070 --> 00:11:27,370 And I'd like to represent him. 203 00:11:29,410 --> 00:11:30,430 He asked you? 204 00:11:30,770 --> 00:11:31,770 I volunteered, sir. 205 00:11:32,050 --> 00:11:34,690 He's waiving his rights. Statute of limitations, double jeopardy. 206 00:11:35,020 --> 00:11:38,680 What part of the Navy wants to settle this, didn't you understand? 207 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:41,900 I believe the man has a case, sir. 208 00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:43,940 Based on one conversation? 209 00:11:44,260 --> 00:11:45,580 Based on history, sir. 210 00:11:46,740 --> 00:11:49,040 I did ask for a level head here. 211 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:54,660 Well, we're not looking at a settlement, and this has to go to court -martial. 212 00:11:55,420 --> 00:11:56,540 Can I count on you? 213 00:11:57,920 --> 00:11:58,920 Yes, sir. 214 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:15,120 Harriet. 215 00:12:15,500 --> 00:12:16,600 I'm just on break, sir. 216 00:12:17,860 --> 00:12:19,480 Did you hear from the appliance store yet? 217 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:21,300 Oh, I picked up a part on the way in. 218 00:12:21,820 --> 00:12:24,140 Life would be a whole lot easier if I lived closer to work. 219 00:12:24,380 --> 00:12:25,199 Nice place. 220 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,040 It's a little pricey. What's a little pricey? Take a look. 221 00:12:29,540 --> 00:12:32,220 Wow, you and Bud thinking about daydreaming, ma 'am? 222 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:33,840 Nice dream. 223 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:35,520 Vincent. 224 00:12:35,740 --> 00:12:37,340 Sir, thank you very much for your help. 225 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:38,800 Yeah, sure. 226 00:12:39,300 --> 00:12:40,860 You and Bud planning on buying a house? 227 00:12:41,580 --> 00:12:45,380 Not just yet. I'd hate to worry about mortgage payments with my husband, F .C. 228 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:47,880 Lieutenant Singer, walk with me, please. Yes, sir. 229 00:12:48,300 --> 00:12:49,880 I have an assignment for you. 230 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:51,099 Thank you, sir. 231 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:53,220 I'd like for you to prosecute the McBride case. 232 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:58,640 Isn't he the old man being court -martialed, sir? 233 00:12:59,740 --> 00:13:03,840 Do you have an issue with prosecuting an old man, Lieutenant? 234 00:13:04,300 --> 00:13:05,179 No, sir. 235 00:13:05,180 --> 00:13:06,180 No issue. 236 00:13:06,330 --> 00:13:11,710 Look, I realize this may not be the most appealing case. I have no problem, sir. 237 00:13:11,850 --> 00:13:14,890 The man defied an order and engaged in a mutinous act, no matter what the 238 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:15,890 justification. 239 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:18,290 And I'm going to nail his butt to the yardarm. 240 00:13:19,550 --> 00:13:20,550 Oh, that'll be all. 241 00:13:22,790 --> 00:13:25,130 Sir, about Robert's office. 242 00:13:25,690 --> 00:13:30,010 Right. I'll have Lieutenant Sims remove his personal effects. The office is 243 00:13:30,010 --> 00:13:31,550 yours for now, Lieutenant. 244 00:13:31,930 --> 00:13:32,930 Thank you, sir. 245 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:37,640 Look here, Chief, I just want to go over some of these facts with you. No 246 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:38,640 problem, Commander. 247 00:13:39,180 --> 00:13:42,560 You know your dad called me. Said to make sure you gave me a good rate. 248 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:44,540 I promise I'm worth every penny. 249 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,580 How did you and my dad meet, anyway? 250 00:13:47,980 --> 00:13:50,680 Oh, the chaplain you see, but that's been a mess with great legs. 251 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:54,720 Negro officers weren't allowed in the old club back then, Commander. 252 00:13:55,560 --> 00:13:56,560 I knew that. 253 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,880 I just forget. 254 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:02,600 My dad doesn't talk much about those things. 255 00:14:03,140 --> 00:14:05,920 I'm sure there are lots of things he didn't talk much about. 256 00:14:08,780 --> 00:14:10,120 About this mutiny charge. 257 00:14:10,340 --> 00:14:12,740 I never could understand that, Commander. 258 00:14:13,340 --> 00:14:16,660 We just said we wasn't going back to work. That's our defense, Chief. 259 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:21,220 This mutiny charge doesn't hold up. You never had the required intent to usurp 260 00:14:21,220 --> 00:14:23,420 or override lawful military authority. 261 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:26,420 Do you know what Thurgood Marshall said, Commander? 262 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:32,020 Sir? He said, I can't understand why whenever more than one Negro disobeys an 263 00:14:32,020 --> 00:14:35,820 order, It's mutiny. He was right. I'll discharge you with disobeying orders. 264 00:14:36,140 --> 00:14:37,760 Hey, whose side are you on? 265 00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:42,680 You sure you wouldn't rather do this at your house? 266 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:43,980 Sold my house, Commander. 267 00:14:44,620 --> 00:14:46,320 Live in an apartment upstairs now. 268 00:14:47,020 --> 00:14:49,040 I've had some financial setbacks. 269 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:52,300 There's more company here anyway. 270 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:54,800 Great news, sir. 271 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:56,079 What's that, Lieutenant? 272 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:57,260 I just located a witness. 273 00:14:57,660 --> 00:15:01,140 An officer who was at Port Chicago who can testify that McBride led the 274 00:15:01,140 --> 00:15:02,340 conspiracy to refuse orders. 275 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:05,080 Well, congratulations. 276 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:07,200 The old man's toast, sir. 277 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:10,600 Excuse me, Lieutenant. 278 00:15:13,060 --> 00:15:14,220 Colonel, one minute, please. 279 00:15:15,180 --> 00:15:16,180 Problem, sir? 280 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:19,800 Singer. 281 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:22,680 Talking about the McBride case, Ivo. 282 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:25,560 Help me out here, Colonel. I think she's gone off the deep end. 283 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:26,920 Do you want me to take over? 284 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:28,320 I want you to sit second chair. 285 00:15:29,540 --> 00:15:34,140 I'd prefer the electric chair, sir. I realize that, Colonel, but I need 286 00:15:34,140 --> 00:15:35,440 to keep an eye on her. 287 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:42,640 Sir, if I may, I never thought Lieutenant Singer was the right person 288 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:45,320 job. This case requires a light touch. 289 00:15:45,780 --> 00:15:48,680 You may be right, Colonel, and that's why I need you. 290 00:15:50,820 --> 00:15:51,820 Understood, sir. 291 00:15:54,380 --> 00:15:59,330 And as you can see, spacious, but... cozy and with these feelings very light. 292 00:16:01,870 --> 00:16:02,849 Cookie Commander? 293 00:16:02,850 --> 00:16:04,090 No, thank you. Excuse me. 294 00:16:05,030 --> 00:16:06,670 Rap. Let me show you the porch. 295 00:16:07,370 --> 00:16:08,370 Uh -huh. 296 00:16:11,570 --> 00:16:13,450 Your husband's quite a hunk. 297 00:16:13,970 --> 00:16:14,970 Yes, he is. 298 00:16:15,190 --> 00:16:16,390 So he's not my husband. 299 00:16:16,750 --> 00:16:19,110 Really? You seem like the perfect couple. 300 00:16:19,470 --> 00:16:20,470 You think so? 301 00:16:21,450 --> 00:16:24,970 My husband's overseas and Commander Rap's just helping me while he's away. 302 00:16:26,220 --> 00:16:27,220 How do you like the house? 303 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:28,480 Very nice. 304 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:30,520 Oh. 305 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:33,480 Harriet, 306 00:16:33,740 --> 00:16:35,200 this is none of my business. 307 00:16:35,500 --> 00:16:36,720 No, sir. I asked for your help. 308 00:16:37,980 --> 00:16:39,880 Can you and Bud really afford this place? 309 00:16:40,340 --> 00:16:41,860 I think we can swing it, sir. 310 00:16:42,900 --> 00:16:44,580 Bud doesn't mind going out on a limb. 311 00:16:45,940 --> 00:16:48,220 There are some things that we still need to talk about. 312 00:16:48,580 --> 00:16:49,980 Well, any decisions? 313 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:52,200 I think we're interested. 314 00:16:52,820 --> 00:16:53,820 Great. 315 00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:57,120 Listen, I'm not one to pressure, but I've gotten calls from other realtors 316 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:58,560 have clients ready to make an offer. 317 00:16:58,820 --> 00:17:00,440 I don't want you to miss an opportunity here. 318 00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:04,460 What do we need to do? 319 00:17:04,980 --> 00:17:06,819 Chief, thank you for coming in today. 320 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:10,839 As you know, the second half has taken a keen interest in this case. 321 00:17:12,020 --> 00:17:16,900 He has authorized this office to make you an offer he hopes will bring this 322 00:17:16,900 --> 00:17:18,000 matter to a resolution. 323 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:20,940 Admiral, you convene this tea party. 324 00:17:23,339 --> 00:17:24,339 Lieutenant Singer? 325 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:30,760 Chief McBride, SECNAV's prepared to issue a public apology to you and the 49 326 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:34,240 other men who were convicted of mutiny. It will acknowledge that racial 327 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,800 prejudice influenced work assignments at the base and that conditions were 328 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:39,160 hazardous and discriminatory. 329 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:43,780 Well, I don't hear anything about overturning convictions, ma 'am. No, but 330 00:17:43,780 --> 00:17:46,980 SECNAV has entered into discussions with the White House regarding a blanket 331 00:17:46,980 --> 00:17:49,060 presidential pardon for all 50 men. 332 00:17:49,470 --> 00:17:52,910 Secnav's also informed us that he's submitting proposed legislation for an 333 00:17:52,910 --> 00:17:54,450 of Congress granting exoneration. 334 00:18:01,890 --> 00:18:04,330 I'm sorry, but I can't accept. 335 00:18:04,930 --> 00:18:08,670 No apologies, no pardons, and no deals. 336 00:18:08,950 --> 00:18:13,010 Chief McBride, a pardon and an act of Congress would mean full recognition of 337 00:18:13,010 --> 00:18:14,010 this injustice. 338 00:18:14,050 --> 00:18:18,830 My buddy Randall Winston used to say, after what's happened... 339 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:20,640 Pardons don't cut it. 340 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:24,640 Randolph deserved a military funeral. 341 00:18:25,500 --> 00:18:27,780 He just got put in a hole in the ground. 342 00:18:28,180 --> 00:18:29,800 And I want my day in court. 343 00:18:30,620 --> 00:18:34,400 Well then, Chief, I think it's my responsibility to inform you that I 344 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,900 prefer additional charges of insubordination and disobeying orders. 345 00:18:38,180 --> 00:18:41,400 We haven't discussed recommending any additional charges. I'm lead counsel. 346 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:42,500 leading this discussion, Colonel. 347 00:18:42,940 --> 00:18:44,860 Sir, the original charge was mutiny. 348 00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:46,820 New trial, new charges. 349 00:18:47,850 --> 00:18:50,750 Admiral, surely the lieutenant doesn't intend to widen the scope of these 350 00:18:50,750 --> 00:18:51,750 proceedings? 351 00:18:51,830 --> 00:18:55,690 As lead counsel, she is within her rights, and I will not interfere. 352 00:18:56,310 --> 00:18:57,310 Thank you, sir. 353 00:18:58,530 --> 00:19:01,410 Sir, I'd like to work with my client. 354 00:19:02,470 --> 00:19:03,810 That's an excellent idea. 355 00:19:06,870 --> 00:19:08,010 Colonel, lieutenant. 356 00:19:13,670 --> 00:19:14,790 What are you doing, lieutenant? 357 00:19:15,010 --> 00:19:16,010 My job, ma 'am. 358 00:19:17,390 --> 00:19:18,590 You endorse this, Admiral? 359 00:19:18,910 --> 00:19:21,910 I don't engage in undue command influence, Colonel. 360 00:19:23,230 --> 00:19:27,970 What did I do wrong, ma 'am? Our job is to uphold the original conviction, not 361 00:19:27,970 --> 00:19:32,450 freelance new charges. I am not interested in some musty mutiny charge, 362 00:19:32,530 --> 00:19:34,270 This man refused an order. 363 00:19:34,510 --> 00:19:37,970 Race may have played a role in his conviction 60 years ago, but I am not 364 00:19:37,970 --> 00:19:39,370 to let it play a role again. 365 00:19:39,730 --> 00:19:43,790 I plan to walk into a colorblind court and present the facts as they were in 366 00:19:43,790 --> 00:19:44,790 1944. 367 00:19:45,470 --> 00:19:46,470 Orders were given. 368 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:50,520 and orders were disobeyed. Be very careful, Lieutenant. You're playing with 369 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:55,240 fire. No, sir. With all due respect, I'm playing to win. 370 00:19:57,620 --> 00:20:00,320 I thought you were liking our chances, Commander Turner. 371 00:20:00,860 --> 00:20:04,200 Chief, I was confident we could overturn the mutiny convictions, but with these 372 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,920 new charges, it's 50 -50 at best. 373 00:20:08,500 --> 00:20:09,940 Not very good odds, Commander. 374 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:14,220 And even worse when you consider if we lose, you might be punitively discharged 375 00:20:14,220 --> 00:20:15,920 and lose your veterans' benefits. 376 00:20:16,620 --> 00:20:17,880 Your pension, health, everything. 377 00:20:18,100 --> 00:20:20,700 You've told me already your financial situation has looked better. 378 00:20:21,260 --> 00:20:23,720 58 years ago, the Navy wouldn't let me fight. 379 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:26,900 I'll be damned if they're going to buy me off now. 380 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:29,920 There's a simple solution here, Commander. 381 00:20:31,420 --> 00:20:32,440 You've got to win. 382 00:20:42,700 --> 00:20:43,700 Captain South. 383 00:20:44,030 --> 00:20:47,430 He's classed at Annapolis on World War II naval history. Is that right? 384 00:20:47,790 --> 00:20:48,790 That is correct. 385 00:20:49,610 --> 00:20:53,890 And you're familiar with the munitions explosion at Port Chicago in 1944? 386 00:20:54,410 --> 00:20:59,030 I've worked extensively on the legal history here at the Naval Historical 387 00:20:59,030 --> 00:21:00,030 in Washington. 388 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:01,730 Can you tell us what happened, sir? 389 00:21:02,070 --> 00:21:03,490 No, and no one can. 390 00:21:04,230 --> 00:21:06,370 Any evidence was obliterated by the blast. 391 00:21:07,070 --> 00:21:08,850 What about the court of inquiry findings? 392 00:21:09,450 --> 00:21:11,850 The most likely contributing factor... 393 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:16,660 was rough handling of the ammunition by the seamen. And the rumors of unsafe 394 00:21:16,660 --> 00:21:19,760 conditions? Remain just that, verbal accounts. 395 00:21:20,020 --> 00:21:21,500 But there is no definitive proof. 396 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,700 Do you believe that the sailors who refused to return to work were 397 00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:26,579 orders, Captain? 398 00:21:26,580 --> 00:21:30,420 Yes, I do. And do you believe that based on evidence that this was a case of 399 00:21:30,420 --> 00:21:31,420 mutiny? 400 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:33,980 I think it meets the standard. 401 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:35,280 Thank you, sir. 402 00:21:39,910 --> 00:21:44,750 Captain, the accused didn't try to take over a ship or seize power, yet you 403 00:21:44,750 --> 00:21:45,750 consider this mutiny? 404 00:21:45,970 --> 00:21:48,970 Well, there was evidence of a conspiracy at the time. 405 00:21:49,310 --> 00:21:54,030 Marine guards observed a meeting at the temporary brig where the men were held. 406 00:21:54,450 --> 00:21:55,450 They observed? 407 00:21:55,830 --> 00:22:00,290 I see. You also refer to verbal accounts of unsafe conditions, but no concrete 408 00:22:00,290 --> 00:22:01,290 proof. 409 00:22:01,970 --> 00:22:05,750 Are you aware that the port director delivered a warning to the Navy months 410 00:22:05,750 --> 00:22:06,750 before the incident? 411 00:22:07,780 --> 00:22:12,100 Conditions are bad up there. If you're not careful, something's going to happen 412 00:22:12,100 --> 00:22:15,220 and you'll be held responsible for it. That is in the court record. 413 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:17,120 It's one man's opinion, Commander. 414 00:22:17,580 --> 00:22:21,460 Well, isn't it true that the majority of the mutineers, including Mr. McBride, 415 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:24,760 were willing to return as soon as safety concerns were addressed? 416 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:27,240 That is what they said. 417 00:22:28,120 --> 00:22:32,140 By strict definition, sir, is that refusal to obey an order. 418 00:22:33,740 --> 00:22:35,320 Not when you put it like that. 419 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:36,760 No. 420 00:22:39,750 --> 00:22:40,750 Thank you, Captain. 421 00:22:42,610 --> 00:22:46,410 Hey, I haven't seen you with this much head of steam since the Jagathon. 422 00:22:46,690 --> 00:22:47,689 Don't ask. 423 00:22:47,690 --> 00:22:49,010 Same singer, not going well? 424 00:22:49,210 --> 00:22:50,610 I can't stand it, Harm. 425 00:22:51,370 --> 00:22:54,850 Take it easy. I'm trying, but it's hard to sit and watch while Singer presides 426 00:22:54,850 --> 00:22:56,450 over a train wreck in the courtroom. 427 00:22:58,830 --> 00:23:01,590 Sir, about that house that we saw the other day? 428 00:23:01,950 --> 00:23:04,290 Yeah? I think I've figured out a way we can swing it. 429 00:23:05,150 --> 00:23:06,150 Really? 430 00:23:06,250 --> 00:23:07,730 I've asked my dad for a loan. 431 00:23:09,390 --> 00:23:10,730 And Bud's okay with that? 432 00:23:10,930 --> 00:23:13,970 He will be okay with it, sir, when he sees how perfect the house is. 433 00:23:14,510 --> 00:23:18,150 Oh, he'll just forget all about the male ego thing and want to make it on his 434 00:23:18,150 --> 00:23:19,470 own, look after his family? 435 00:23:20,190 --> 00:23:21,710 I'll make him forget about it, sir. 436 00:23:22,890 --> 00:23:23,890 Bad idea. 437 00:23:24,030 --> 00:23:24,969 I know, sir. 438 00:23:24,970 --> 00:23:28,290 But I also know that I really want to try and buy this house, and I need 439 00:23:28,290 --> 00:23:30,090 who knows the law, who knows what he's doing. 440 00:23:31,310 --> 00:23:33,010 Bud gave me general power of attorney. 441 00:23:34,210 --> 00:23:35,810 That doesn't feel right, Harriet. 442 00:23:36,170 --> 00:23:37,970 What if I make a terrible mistake, sir? 443 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:39,760 How will you feel about it then? 444 00:23:40,620 --> 00:23:43,340 Wow. Have you been hanging out with Lieutenant Singer? 445 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:44,720 No, sir. 446 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:48,660 Sir, it's just because I really, really want this. 447 00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:54,920 All right, Harriet. 448 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:57,660 I'm going to help you, but on one condition. 449 00:23:58,060 --> 00:23:59,060 That you tell Bud. 450 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:01,760 Yes, sir. 451 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:03,000 I promise, sir. 452 00:24:03,860 --> 00:24:04,860 Thank you, sir. 453 00:24:05,460 --> 00:24:06,299 All right. 454 00:24:06,300 --> 00:24:07,360 So how's your book coming? 455 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:11,900 I start out writing the memoirs of a Navy chaplain, find myself penning a 456 00:24:11,900 --> 00:24:12,900 history of the service. 457 00:24:14,260 --> 00:24:15,600 Where's that girlfriend of yours? 458 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:19,060 She's on the campaign trail, and we're just friends, Dad. 459 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:20,500 Don't wait too long, son. 460 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:23,620 Thanks for showing up in court to support Chief McBride. 461 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:26,120 He's not the only one I was supporting. 462 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:35,180 The chief told me how you two met. 463 00:24:35,740 --> 00:24:38,960 I'd forgotten you were excluded from the Oak Club even after the war. 464 00:24:39,380 --> 00:24:42,840 You and I have never really talked about back then, Dad. 465 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:45,100 That's because it was back then. 466 00:24:45,620 --> 00:24:46,900 What else don't I know? 467 00:24:47,180 --> 00:24:48,180 Times were different. 468 00:24:48,380 --> 00:24:50,020 We had to swallow our pride. 469 00:24:51,540 --> 00:24:53,920 In 48, they sent me to Great Lakes. 470 00:24:54,420 --> 00:24:58,100 First day, instead of putting me in the chaplain's office, they put me in the 471 00:24:58,100 --> 00:24:59,300 steward's barracks. 472 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,600 Negro chaplains are for Negro sailors, an officer told me. 473 00:25:07,150 --> 00:25:08,770 Great Lakes is where you met Mom, though, huh? 474 00:25:10,210 --> 00:25:14,170 Yeah, she said, if I marry you, tell me I won't be boxing up care packages to 475 00:25:14,170 --> 00:25:15,290 send to the Indian Ocean. 476 00:25:15,810 --> 00:25:17,970 I told her black sailors don't go to sea. 477 00:25:19,270 --> 00:25:21,270 Next thing you know, you're on a ship in the mid. 478 00:25:23,650 --> 00:25:26,470 When I got back, my first assignment was Pendleton. 479 00:25:27,670 --> 00:25:32,890 I remember a Marine colonel wrote in my fit rep, he's a remarkable preacher. 480 00:25:35,120 --> 00:25:36,620 What's more, he's a Negro. 481 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:41,760 So hard to hear. 482 00:25:42,660 --> 00:25:45,740 Your generation's been through the things my generation's only read about, 483 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:47,880 Things have changed, Sturgis. 484 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:50,460 You've got a tough case. 485 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,260 A man defied orders. 486 00:25:52,700 --> 00:25:57,700 Looking at the facts colorblind and out of that context, could be that all the 487 00:25:57,700 --> 00:25:59,300 court -martial sees is a guilty man. 488 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,960 Mr. Platt, you oversaw the loading of ammunitions at Port Chicago? 489 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:11,380 Yes, I was a lieutenant in the 4th Division, Seaman McBride's unit. 490 00:26:11,660 --> 00:26:13,960 What happened on the day of August 9th, 1944? 491 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:17,020 Well, that was about three weeks after the explosion. 492 00:26:18,420 --> 00:26:24,440 We were reassigned to loading ammo at Mirror Island. I marched the men down to 493 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:25,139 the water. 494 00:26:25,140 --> 00:26:26,360 Was Seaman McBride there? 495 00:26:26,700 --> 00:26:30,980 Yes, McBride was calling Cadence. We came to the juncture in the road. 496 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:35,320 On the right was the parade ground. On the left was the ferry which was waiting 497 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:37,220 to take us to the ammunition loading pier. 498 00:26:37,580 --> 00:26:38,660 What happened then? 499 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:42,000 Forward march! 500 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:44,180 Left! Left! 501 00:26:44,660 --> 00:26:45,680 Left! Right! 502 00:26:45,900 --> 00:26:47,320 Left! Left! 503 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:49,580 Left! Left! Right! 504 00:26:49,840 --> 00:26:51,640 Left! Call them left! 505 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:56,200 I said call them left! 506 00:26:57,300 --> 00:27:00,140 Are you men hard of hearing? I said forward march! 507 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:01,680 Column left. 508 00:27:03,540 --> 00:27:05,080 Seaman McBride, front and center. 509 00:27:05,700 --> 00:27:06,700 Yes, sir. 510 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:08,300 You got a problem, Seaman? 511 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:10,360 I'm not loading ammunition, sir. 512 00:27:11,120 --> 00:27:14,760 You can't tell me why. I'm afraid, sir. It's not safe. 513 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,920 McBride's not going. I'm not going either, sir. 514 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:20,560 I'm afraid too, Lieutenant. 515 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:23,200 Were you afraid, Mr. Platt? 516 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:26,840 A lot of officers and friends died. 517 00:27:27,360 --> 00:27:28,980 I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. 518 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:30,760 Yet you chose to go back. 519 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:37,720 Well, that is, we had a job to do. There was a war going on, and men were dying 520 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:40,800 on islands all over the Pacific, thousands of them. 521 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:44,980 Did you consider that the conditions loading munitions were unsafe? 522 00:27:46,020 --> 00:27:49,600 Well, when you're talking about explosives, there's a risk. 523 00:27:49,980 --> 00:27:54,180 But? There were many more hazardous assignments than the Navy in 1944. 524 00:27:55,220 --> 00:27:56,480 Thank you, Mr. Pipe. 525 00:27:59,850 --> 00:28:04,290 Mr. Platt, on what basis did you calculate your risk assessment? 526 00:28:05,090 --> 00:28:07,190 Assurances by my superiors. 527 00:28:07,490 --> 00:28:10,010 Who told you there were no fuses in those bombs? 528 00:28:10,310 --> 00:28:11,310 That's right. 529 00:28:11,790 --> 00:28:13,650 That wasn't true of all ordnance? 530 00:28:14,070 --> 00:28:15,210 Well, there were exceptions. 531 00:28:16,090 --> 00:28:17,790 Incendiary bombs, some mines. 532 00:28:18,590 --> 00:28:20,630 Generally, they received special handling. 533 00:28:22,070 --> 00:28:25,950 Generally? The pace was so frenetic, it was hard to control everything. 534 00:28:26,410 --> 00:28:29,130 Why a frenetic pace with explosives, sir? 535 00:28:29,580 --> 00:28:32,160 We were trying to load those ships as fast as possible. 536 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:36,700 Were you aware that there was betting among the officers to see whose men 537 00:28:36,700 --> 00:28:38,400 load the most tons in the shortest time? 538 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:40,080 Objection, Relevant. 539 00:28:40,380 --> 00:28:42,400 I'm getting there, Your Honor. I'll allow it. 540 00:28:44,420 --> 00:28:45,420 There was betting. 541 00:28:46,260 --> 00:28:47,260 That's true. 542 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:49,200 It was in the spirit of competition. 543 00:28:50,180 --> 00:28:54,320 Weren't you concerned that this competition might sacrifice safety for 544 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:56,400 sir? It didn't occur to me at the time. 545 00:28:56,800 --> 00:29:00,280 Isn't it true that a Coast Guard detail was withdrawn from the port due to what 546 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:01,940 they deemed unsafe conditions? 547 00:29:02,700 --> 00:29:03,780 Yes, that happened. 548 00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:08,900 We know that the seamen were accused of rough handling after the blast. Were the 549 00:29:08,900 --> 00:29:11,140 men given any new training or instruction? 550 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:13,320 Not that I know of, no. 551 00:29:13,760 --> 00:29:17,760 Were any changes implemented after the explosion, Mr. Platt? 552 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:22,940 The men were issued gloves. 553 00:29:24,660 --> 00:29:26,020 Thank you, Mr. Platt. 554 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:30,520 Redirect, Your Honor. Go ahead, Lieutenant. 555 00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:35,300 If competition resulted in getting munitions to our fighting men faster, 556 00:29:35,660 --> 00:29:37,680 wouldn't you say competition was a healthy thing? 557 00:29:38,300 --> 00:29:40,620 Healthy for the war effort, yes. 558 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:51,240 But in retrospect, it wasn't healthy for the 320 men, both black and white, 559 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:53,860 who died at Port Chicago. 560 00:29:55,980 --> 00:29:57,540 Good lesson this morning, Lieutenant. 561 00:29:58,340 --> 00:30:02,100 Never ask a question unless you know the answer. I knew the answer, ma 'am. I 562 00:30:02,100 --> 00:30:04,340 just didn't expect our witness to turn into such a wimp. 563 00:30:04,580 --> 00:30:06,860 Lieutenant, request you sent to the Naval Historic Center. 564 00:30:07,140 --> 00:30:08,200 You got something, ma 'am. 565 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:10,080 What is it, Lieutenant? 566 00:30:10,520 --> 00:30:12,040 Just drew a new card, ma 'am. 567 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:18,120 Mr. Gant, you were a non -commissioned officer at Port Chicago? 568 00:30:18,900 --> 00:30:20,180 Assigned to the 4th Division. 569 00:30:20,560 --> 00:30:22,560 Did you have any dealings with Seaman McBride? 570 00:30:23,070 --> 00:30:27,870 A month before the blast, I received a petition signed by him and several of 571 00:30:27,870 --> 00:30:28,469 other men. 572 00:30:28,470 --> 00:30:30,870 I forwarded it to the base CO. 573 00:30:31,190 --> 00:30:35,490 Your Honor, this is a copy of that petition the Naval Historical Center 574 00:30:35,490 --> 00:30:36,490 a search yesterday. 575 00:30:37,630 --> 00:30:40,670 Mr. Gantz, please read the highlighted portions for us. 576 00:30:47,630 --> 00:30:51,510 The undersigned do hereby protest conditions at Port Chicago. 577 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:57,020 We asked the Navy to review unfair labor practices and the unjust treatment of 578 00:30:57,020 --> 00:30:58,020 Negro seamen. 579 00:30:58,400 --> 00:31:04,580 To quote Mr. Roosevelt, we the Negro sailors of Port Chicago are waiting for 580 00:31:04,580 --> 00:31:05,580 new deal. 581 00:31:06,980 --> 00:31:07,980 Thank you. 582 00:31:08,580 --> 00:31:13,100 Was this the only time that Seaman McBride expressed his dissatisfaction to 583 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:16,040 He griped to me after the blast. 584 00:31:16,460 --> 00:31:19,160 I was guarding him and the other men in the brig. 585 00:31:24,780 --> 00:31:29,060 You may be on that side, boy, but we're all on the same side. How do you figure 586 00:31:29,060 --> 00:31:30,060 that, Seaman? 587 00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:31,240 The Navy's racist. 588 00:31:31,760 --> 00:31:36,500 They look at you and me as mules for hauling. The world's not perfect, 589 00:31:36,500 --> 00:31:39,760 but it would be a lot worse if the Germans or Japanese won this war. 590 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:42,000 Hitler and Tosho never called me boy. 591 00:31:42,600 --> 00:31:44,820 Those are treasonous words, Seaman. Just words. 592 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:46,440 I'll tell you this much. 593 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:49,400 No matter what the Navy threatens us with, we're not going back. 594 00:31:49,660 --> 00:31:50,660 And that's mutiny. 595 00:31:56,720 --> 00:32:00,700 Mr. Gant, why did you come here to testify after all these years? 596 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:04,700 I didn't agree with what McBride and the others did. 597 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:05,920 And why was that? 598 00:32:06,700 --> 00:32:09,120 I didn't like segregation any more than them. 599 00:32:09,740 --> 00:32:10,900 But we were at war. 600 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:13,960 My country, right or wrong? 601 00:32:14,520 --> 00:32:15,900 Thank you, Mr. Gant. 602 00:32:16,380 --> 00:32:17,960 Your Honor, the government rests. 603 00:32:18,780 --> 00:32:19,780 Your witness, Commander. 604 00:32:21,520 --> 00:32:23,060 I have no questions, Your Honor. 605 00:32:31,210 --> 00:32:34,670 Chicago, where the worst stateside accident of the present war wreaked 606 00:32:34,670 --> 00:32:35,670 destruction. 607 00:32:36,310 --> 00:32:39,430 In the bay is the record to the munition ships that blew up. 608 00:32:39,670 --> 00:32:41,630 Nothing left save twisted steel. 609 00:32:42,850 --> 00:32:47,670 The pier is a scene of ruin caused by the awesome blast that broke windows 50 610 00:32:47,670 --> 00:32:48,670 miles away. 611 00:32:50,670 --> 00:32:54,570 Here, a steel fragment of one ship was hurled... Watch the movies at the 612 00:32:54,630 --> 00:32:55,630 huh? 613 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:01,120 You know that an Army Air Corps plane flying over the blast at the time 614 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:05,380 witnessed white hot chunks of metal the size of a garage flying by them? They 615 00:33:05,380 --> 00:33:06,800 were at 9 ,000 feet. 616 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:09,280 It's all the history, Buff, huh, Sturgis? 617 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:12,800 You're in a good mood. 618 00:33:13,900 --> 00:33:15,060 I'm buying a house. 619 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:18,140 What? I'll tell you later. It's a long story. 620 00:33:18,860 --> 00:33:23,040 How's the case going? Prosecution's last witness just branded my client a 621 00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:24,860 militant traitor to his country. 622 00:33:25,420 --> 00:33:27,080 Other than that, I'm doing great. 623 00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:28,500 You want to discuss it? 624 00:33:29,620 --> 00:33:33,580 My father warned me. He removed the context. He got a man guilty of 625 00:33:33,580 --> 00:33:34,580 orders. 626 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:37,680 I might even lose on mutiny. Singers play the smart, sticking to the facts. 627 00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:40,120 can't let singers choose the field of play, Sturgis. 628 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:42,540 I let my heart lead my head this time, man. 629 00:33:42,800 --> 00:33:45,480 I should have told McBride to just take the second half's offer. You know, 630 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:49,220 emotions aren't always such a bad thing. Sometimes you should listen to them. 631 00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:51,320 Watch your heart telling you. 632 00:33:52,140 --> 00:33:55,440 That an old man who wanted to serve his country got a raw deal. 633 00:33:56,320 --> 00:33:57,320 Injustice. That's right. 634 00:33:57,440 --> 00:33:58,440 Why? 635 00:33:58,660 --> 00:34:00,240 Racism. There's your argument. 636 00:34:01,860 --> 00:34:04,160 Racism. You need to make Singer deal with it. 637 00:34:04,700 --> 00:34:05,900 It's not a legal argument. 638 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:07,120 Make it a legal argument. 639 00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:09,100 How? Singer brought in an historian. 640 00:34:09,580 --> 00:34:13,980 You need to bring in someone who can paint a picture of how life was for the 641 00:34:13,980 --> 00:34:14,980 black man in 1944. 642 00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:17,820 Now you must know someone who can do that. 643 00:34:19,020 --> 00:34:20,020 Chaplain Turner. 644 00:34:20,590 --> 00:34:22,270 You entered the Navy in 1944? 645 00:34:23,590 --> 00:34:25,469 After I got out of the seminary. 646 00:34:25,690 --> 00:34:28,409 What was the situation for African Americans in the Navy? 647 00:34:28,989 --> 00:34:32,090 It was separate and unequal. 648 00:34:32,469 --> 00:34:39,250 At that time, there were 150 ,000 black sailors, all trained, ready to 649 00:34:39,250 --> 00:34:40,250 fight. 650 00:34:41,489 --> 00:34:46,170 But aside from a few rare exceptions, the Navy wouldn't let them. 651 00:34:46,510 --> 00:34:48,730 You knew the accused when he was in the Navy, is that right? 652 00:34:49,239 --> 00:34:50,300 Yes, we met in 48. 653 00:34:51,659 --> 00:34:55,120 Seaman McBride had returned to Great Lakes to go to gunnery school. 654 00:34:55,679 --> 00:34:57,100 How did you find the seaman? 655 00:34:57,820 --> 00:35:00,460 Headstrong, but a good young man. 656 00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:06,300 Given the context of the times, would you consider the chief's refusal to go 657 00:35:06,300 --> 00:35:08,700 back to loading munitions at Fort Chicago justified? 658 00:35:09,940 --> 00:35:13,820 The Navy's struggle with civil rights has mirrored that of our country. 659 00:35:14,700 --> 00:35:17,840 The Navy took a lead in desegregation after the war. 660 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:22,840 because of protest by men like Aubrey McBride. 661 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:29,080 The chief was only asking to be treated like everyone else, no more, no less. 662 00:35:29,740 --> 00:35:35,840 Yes, I think he was justified in asking for the same opportunity to serve and, 663 00:35:35,980 --> 00:35:39,620 if necessary, die for his country. 664 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:41,680 Thank you, Chaplain Turner. 665 00:35:46,580 --> 00:35:47,580 Lieutenant. 666 00:35:52,270 --> 00:35:55,030 Your Honor, I have no more... One question, Your Honor. 667 00:35:56,790 --> 00:35:57,790 Go ahead, Colonel. 668 00:35:58,890 --> 00:36:03,230 Chaplain, if you had been there that day at Port Chicago as a superior officer, 669 00:36:03,430 --> 00:36:05,370 what would you have told Seaman McBride to do? 670 00:36:13,490 --> 00:36:15,070 I'd have told him to go back to work. 671 00:36:15,590 --> 00:36:16,590 Why, sir? 672 00:36:17,750 --> 00:36:18,830 Because it was an order. 673 00:36:19,870 --> 00:36:21,010 Thank you, Chaplain Turner. 674 00:36:26,330 --> 00:36:28,570 Everything seems in order, Harriet. It's pretty straightforward. 675 00:36:29,050 --> 00:36:30,990 Maybe to you, sir. To me, it's Greek. 676 00:36:31,230 --> 00:36:32,370 I can't thank you enough. 677 00:36:33,590 --> 00:36:34,730 Finally get that fridge fixed? 678 00:36:35,370 --> 00:36:36,370 I'm working on it. 679 00:36:37,030 --> 00:36:38,330 I need to ask you both a question. 680 00:36:38,730 --> 00:36:42,490 If you murder co -counsel in the courtroom, can you cop an insanity plea? 681 00:36:42,690 --> 00:36:44,490 Absolutely. I thought so. 682 00:36:44,890 --> 00:36:46,150 You and Bud bought that house? 683 00:36:46,390 --> 00:36:50,330 Set to close in 30 days, ma 'am. Bud must be so psyched. What did he say? 684 00:36:54,570 --> 00:36:55,570 He does know. 685 00:36:55,950 --> 00:36:56,950 Doesn't he? 686 00:36:57,150 --> 00:36:58,150 Harriet. 687 00:36:59,050 --> 00:37:04,850 I may have been a little unspecific about buying a house, and you helped. 688 00:37:04,850 --> 00:37:05,828 were you thinking? 689 00:37:05,830 --> 00:37:08,110 That his approval went with his power of attorney. 690 00:37:10,950 --> 00:37:14,510 I'm so sorry, sir. I should have told him. 691 00:37:14,830 --> 00:37:21,810 I was going to... Sir, if you don't want to continue giving me legal advice... 692 00:37:21,810 --> 00:37:24,630 I have advice for you, Harriet. It's just not legal. 693 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:29,680 What are you doing with my stuff? 694 00:37:29,840 --> 00:37:31,360 Getting it out of my office. 695 00:37:31,800 --> 00:37:32,800 Your office? 696 00:37:32,820 --> 00:37:34,620 The Admiral gave it to me. Didn't he tell you? 697 00:37:35,300 --> 00:37:39,080 No. I'm sure he'll get around to it. In the meantime, what do you want me to do 698 00:37:39,080 --> 00:37:40,080 with this junk? 699 00:37:42,920 --> 00:37:46,020 Chief, when you volunteered for the Navy, what were your expectations? 700 00:37:47,140 --> 00:37:49,960 The recruiter said white boys are dying in the Pacific. 701 00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:52,600 They're going to let you colored boys fight. 702 00:37:53,580 --> 00:37:57,440 I didn't like the idea of anybody dying, but I wanted to fight. 703 00:37:58,430 --> 00:37:59,870 And when you got to Port Chicago? 704 00:38:00,710 --> 00:38:04,490 I thought, I'm not going to get killed in the Pacific. 705 00:38:05,610 --> 00:38:07,570 I'm going to get blown up in California. 706 00:38:08,630 --> 00:38:10,330 You witnessed the explosion, Chief? 707 00:38:11,190 --> 00:38:12,850 And I was there the next day. 708 00:38:13,610 --> 00:38:15,110 We were searching for bodies. 709 00:38:16,070 --> 00:38:20,510 It was awful, just parts, unrecognizable, white or black. 710 00:38:21,390 --> 00:38:24,890 And looking at that, you realize we're all the same. 711 00:38:25,990 --> 00:38:27,590 Why didn't you go back to work? 712 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:29,520 It wasn't safe, sir. 713 00:38:30,360 --> 00:38:32,840 Why? We were moving too fast. 714 00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:35,020 Men were learning on the job. 715 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:39,340 I was a winch operator, hoisting bombs onto the ships. 716 00:38:40,060 --> 00:38:44,000 One day a sailor on deck shouted up to me that there was something wrong with 717 00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:45,000 the rig. 718 00:38:45,420 --> 00:38:46,660 Was there a problem, Chief? 719 00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:53,820 The officer on duty said the rig looked okay to him, but... Come 720 00:38:53,820 --> 00:38:56,360 on! We're 30 tons behind, Stephen! Keep it moving! 721 00:38:58,040 --> 00:38:59,040 Let's go! 722 00:39:01,060 --> 00:39:02,620 Look out! It's coming down! 723 00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:08,340 Cool it! 724 00:39:08,840 --> 00:39:09,840 Calm down! 725 00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:11,560 It's not hot! 726 00:39:12,600 --> 00:39:14,000 God, don't you know anything? 727 00:39:14,480 --> 00:39:15,500 Well, that's just it. 728 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:17,180 We didn't know anything. 729 00:39:17,900 --> 00:39:20,520 The officers told us the bombs weren't dangerous. 730 00:39:20,960 --> 00:39:23,540 But a lot of them took off running with the rest of us. 731 00:39:24,460 --> 00:39:25,460 And the brig? 732 00:39:25,960 --> 00:39:27,920 You said you thought the Navy was racist. 733 00:39:28,720 --> 00:39:31,700 Why? Look at the hand the Navy dealt us, Commander. 734 00:39:32,920 --> 00:39:36,400 They gave us the menial jobs, the hazardous jobs. 735 00:39:37,100 --> 00:39:41,980 Now, the Navy based its mutiny case on observation of a meeting held in the 736 00:39:41,980 --> 00:39:45,300 brig. Was this meeting about planning a mutiny? No, sir. 737 00:39:45,740 --> 00:39:47,420 It was about obeying orders. 738 00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:51,600 Fights were breaking out, and a bunch of us told the boys to cool it. 739 00:39:51,980 --> 00:39:52,980 Obey the guards. 740 00:39:53,450 --> 00:39:56,170 So you're saying it was a conspiracy to obey orders? 741 00:39:56,710 --> 00:40:01,910 Objection. Withdrawn. Chief, that day that you refused to return to duty, did 742 00:40:01,910 --> 00:40:03,850 you believe you were disobeying orders? 743 00:40:04,390 --> 00:40:06,030 We didn't refuse to go back. 744 00:40:06,630 --> 00:40:10,170 We refused to return to the same conditions that caused the blast. 745 00:40:11,030 --> 00:40:13,170 We wanted answers so it wouldn't happen again. 746 00:40:15,050 --> 00:40:16,410 And they gave us gloves. 747 00:40:18,990 --> 00:40:19,990 Thank you, Chief. 748 00:40:22,970 --> 00:40:26,730 Chief, would you have us believe that there was no talk in the brig of work 749 00:40:26,730 --> 00:40:27,730 stoppage? 750 00:40:28,610 --> 00:40:31,590 I'd be lying if I told you there were no words uttered in anger. 751 00:40:31,890 --> 00:40:34,310 And do you acknowledge that orders were given to return to work? 752 00:40:34,790 --> 00:40:37,310 Yes, ma 'am. And yet you chose not to follow them. 753 00:40:37,550 --> 00:40:38,550 That's right, Lieutenant. 754 00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:41,750 Tell me then, how can we come to any other conclusion except that you were 755 00:40:41,750 --> 00:40:43,330 willfully disobeying orders? 756 00:40:46,430 --> 00:40:48,930 Back then, the Navy didn't see us as fighting men. 757 00:40:49,530 --> 00:40:51,030 They saw the color of our skin. 758 00:40:51,640 --> 00:40:53,660 And it saw cheap, expendable labor. 759 00:40:55,140 --> 00:40:56,620 Discrimination is unlawful. 760 00:40:57,400 --> 00:41:01,080 To me, Lieutenant, that makes the orders unlawful. 761 00:41:01,280 --> 00:41:04,140 This was 1944, Chief. The law was different. 762 00:41:04,580 --> 00:41:07,060 The values of the Navy were still the same. 763 00:41:08,100 --> 00:41:09,460 Same as they are today. 764 00:41:09,700 --> 00:41:13,700 I don't think we're here to put the values of the Navy on trial. In fact, I 765 00:41:13,700 --> 00:41:17,180 think, Chief, you're here to shame this institution into an admission of guilt. 766 00:41:17,720 --> 00:41:18,720 Objection, Your Honor. 767 00:41:18,960 --> 00:41:19,960 Sustained. 768 00:41:20,170 --> 00:41:21,630 Do you have a question, Lieutenant? 769 00:41:22,030 --> 00:41:23,510 I have an answer, Your Honor. 770 00:41:25,090 --> 00:41:26,090 Okay. 771 00:41:26,350 --> 00:41:27,710 Go ahead, Chief McBride. 772 00:41:28,890 --> 00:41:30,450 I'm not here to shame the Navy. 773 00:41:31,150 --> 00:41:33,010 I served it for 30 years. 774 00:41:33,510 --> 00:41:37,410 I have a grandson in the Arabian Sea right now, and I'm proud of him. 775 00:41:38,130 --> 00:41:39,170 I love the Navy. 776 00:41:39,850 --> 00:41:41,090 I love my country. 777 00:41:41,950 --> 00:41:45,610 But that doesn't change the fact that what happened to me and 49 other men was 778 00:41:45,610 --> 00:41:46,610 wrong. 779 00:41:47,070 --> 00:41:48,550 The Navy teaches responsibility. 780 00:41:50,320 --> 00:41:53,940 And this is one time the Navy needs to take that lesson to heart. 781 00:42:02,100 --> 00:42:03,920 The accused and counsel will rise. 782 00:42:06,420 --> 00:42:07,940 You may publish your findings. 783 00:42:10,040 --> 00:42:13,720 Chief Petty Officer Aubrey McBride, United States Navy, retired. 784 00:42:14,280 --> 00:42:18,260 On the charge and specification of mutiny, this court finds you not guilty. 785 00:42:19,080 --> 00:42:24,220 On the charges and specifications of insubordination and disobeying orders, 786 00:42:24,220 --> 00:42:25,880 court finds you not guilty. 787 00:42:26,260 --> 00:42:27,260 This court is dismissed. 788 00:42:28,980 --> 00:42:29,980 Thank you, Commander. 789 00:42:30,180 --> 00:42:33,100 Thank you. You are welcome, Chief. Congratulations, Chief. 790 00:42:33,400 --> 00:42:34,960 Oh, you were right. He's good. 791 00:42:35,780 --> 00:42:39,620 Chief McBride, I think this is the verdict we're happy to live with. 792 00:42:40,500 --> 00:42:41,560 Congratulations, Chief. 793 00:42:41,860 --> 00:42:43,140 You fought the good fight. 794 00:42:43,460 --> 00:42:44,500 Oh, you too, Lieutenant. 795 00:42:47,800 --> 00:42:48,800 Chaplain. 796 00:42:49,230 --> 00:42:50,230 I owe you. 797 00:42:50,750 --> 00:42:52,570 But I have one more favor to ask. 798 00:42:52,910 --> 00:42:53,910 Name it. 799 00:42:56,230 --> 00:43:01,870 And Lord, may the soul of Randall, our comrade in arms, and the souls of all 800 00:43:01,870 --> 00:43:04,290 faithfully departed rest in peace. 801 00:43:04,910 --> 00:43:06,270 Amen. Amen. 802 00:43:07,470 --> 00:43:10,690 Thank you, Chaplain, for helping me to honor an old friend. 803 00:43:11,070 --> 00:43:12,070 Don't mention it. 804 00:43:13,270 --> 00:43:17,790 Randall told me when his kids used to ask him what he did in the war, he'd 805 00:43:19,080 --> 00:43:20,620 Told him he worked in a factory. 806 00:43:20,980 --> 00:43:24,360 The way things were at Port Chicago wasn't that far from the truth. 807 00:43:25,120 --> 00:43:26,940 I'm sure there are others who did the same, Chief. 808 00:43:27,420 --> 00:43:29,160 No, I had my day in court, Commander. 809 00:43:29,800 --> 00:43:30,940 I'm grateful to you. 810 00:43:31,680 --> 00:43:33,600 There are 49 others still waiting. 811 00:43:34,880 --> 00:43:38,240 You're talking about an uphill battle, Chief, going to Congress. 812 00:43:39,220 --> 00:43:41,000 What's on your schedule tomorrow, Commander? 813 00:43:41,500 --> 00:43:44,520 I suspect I'll be getting a call bright and early. 814 00:43:44,900 --> 00:43:47,120 0800. Make that 0900. 815 00:43:47,870 --> 00:43:49,310 I'm mellowing my old age.