Black Cadets at The Coast Guard Academy - The First African-American Cadets

The First African-American Cadets

The Coast Guard Academy admitted Jarvis L. Wright into the Corps of Cadets in 1955. He soon later resigned for medical reasons. Since there is not a lot of data on Jarvis Wright, he is typically left out of most historical references to the Coast Guard Academy.

In June 1962, Merle James Smith was admitted to the Coast Guard Academy. In June 1966 he became the first African American to graduate.

No other Black cadet was admitted until 1964 when London Steverson from Millington, Tennessee and Kenneth Boyd from Leonia, New Jersey were admitted as part of the Class of 1968. This was a small step for the Coast Guard Academy, but it was a giant step for African-Americans in the armed forces. It did not however amount to integration. The presence of these Black cadets did not affect the historical normal operations of the Coast Guard at all. At all social events, mixers, and athletic parties, the Social Hostess, Mrs. Judy Sinton, never provided any Black females. The Black cadets were allowed, even required, to choose escorts from the girls provided.

Attrition rates for entering cadets were high, and the Class of 1968 was no exception. Of the 400 cadets entering in July 1964 as the Class of 1968, only 152 graduated. Both Steverson and Boyd, the two Black cadets in this class, completed the four-year course of academic and military education and were graduated.

Because the orders to recruit the first Black cadets came down the Chain-Of-Command from President John F. Kennedy, the Commander-in-Chief, the first Black cadets appeared to be treated differently and well. This was far from the truth. The make up of the Corps of Cadets would not permit it. Nevertheless, there was very little attrition of Black cadets between 1962 and 1972 as compared to the majority group of cadets. Two very gifted and talented Class of 1972 Cadets Robert Treadway Brown (Riverhead, NY) and Robert(?) S. Coon (Orange, NJ) left the academy before they graduated. Most Black cadets who entered graduated because of the unique bonds fused in the crucible of Chase Hall with all of those they called brothers, the specter of the draft, the Vietnam War and the unprecedented opportunity to serve in the United States Coast Guard.

In 1964 the Coast Guard Officer Corps was 99.44 percent white. Less than one-half of one percent of the officer corps comprised Black enlisted men who had been promoted to chief warrant officers. In 1973 the percentage of Black officers was still below one percent, but progress had been made. Also, President Kennedy was no longer Commander-in-Chief. With the large influx of Black cadets in 1973 and 1974, it appears that the upper-class cadets were given the green light to weed out and to eliminate the less qualified Black entering cadets. The alternative hypothesis is that there were other opportunities for young, talented and gifted youngsters. The attrition rate for Black cadets reached astronomical levels. Up to 70 percent of the Black cadets entering were forced to resign before graduation.

At the Academy they had not been prepared for what awaited them out in the field. The all white officer corps was not prepared to accept the Black officers into the Ward Room with all the rights and privileges of white officers. Most of the white officers, both Northerners and Southerners, had never been to school with Black students and were not ready to live, work or take orders from them on ships and bases. The senior officers proved to be especially hostile to the new breed of officer.

Kenny Boyd did not survive his first duty station 1968-69, the USCGC DALLAS (WHEC 716), at Governors Island, New York. He received such adverse fitness reports from his senior officers that he had to be removed from the ship. An Academy graduate is required to serve 5 years of obligated service before he can resign his commission. Kenny Boyd was not allowed complete his obligated service. In 1992, nearly 25 years later, Captain Joseph Jones, USCGA Class of 1972, took command of the USCGC DALLAS (WHEC 716) becoming the first Black officer to command a 378-foot cutter. In 2009, Captain Aaron Davenport, took command of the USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725).

London Steverson was promoted to (0-4), lieutenant commander in 1978, but he did not receive a promotion during the last ten years of his career. In 6 years he was passed over 5 times for promotion to (0-5), Commander. By an Act of Congress an officer attaining the rank of 0-4 is allowed to remain on active duty until the earliest date that he is eligible for retirement. Steverson was forced to retire in July 1988 with 20 years of active service. His last two years of active duty at Governors Island, New York were very aggravating. After completing a tour of duty at the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System, he was relieved of all responsibilities. He was required to report for work every morning, but he had no official position.