Clarence Samuels
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Junior Grade Clarence Samuels (June 11, 1900–1983), was the first Hispanic American
of African descent photographer in the United States Coast Guard
, to command a cutter, as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime.
. By 1920, he had immigrated to the United States and joined the United States Coast Guard as an alien (citizen of a foreign country). Samuels first assignment as a Seaman 2nd Class was aboard the USCGC EARP at Balboa Canal Zone, Panama. The term "Hispanic", which according to the United States Census Bureau
is an ethnic term used to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States, of any racial background, and of any religion, who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas
, was not used until the 1970s, therefore Latinos were classified by race either as "Whites" or as "Blacks". Samuels was classified as Black by the US Coast Guard and like so many Blacks before and after him, he was soon initiated into mess-man duty.
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On September 8, 1930, Samuels was assigned to the Pea Island Coast Guard Station, lifeboat station manned totally by African-Americans, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On June 16, 1933, was promoted to Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class (Lifesaving). He reported to the Coast Guard Depot at Curtis bay, Maryland, on July 14, 1935, and served as the personal driver of Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche
, the Coast Guard Commandant. On May 8, 1936, he was promoted to boatswain's mate, first class. On May 12, 1939, Samuels was appointed a Chief Photographer's Mate, becoming not only the first Hispanic of African descent photographer in the Guard, but also only the second photographer in the entire history of the Service.
A statute of 1915, provided that during wartime or "whenever the President may so direct" the Coast Guard would operate as part of the Navy, subject to the orders of the Secretary of the Navy. At the direction of the President' the Coast Guard passed to the control of the Secretary of the Navy on November 1, 1941 and so remained until January 1, 1946. On September 1, 1942, Samuels received the following notification from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox
: "Pursuant to the provision of an Act of Congress approved July 24, 1941, (Public Law No. 188 - 77th Congress), the President of the United States on this date appoints you a Boatswain in the Coast Guard for temporary service to rank from the First of September 1942", thus Samuels was able to work himself up through the ranks to become a warrant officer. He was then reassigned to the Coast Guard Training Station at Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York
and served as the Director of Visual Signaling for Recruits. His position was one of great responsibility because it was part of a major innovation in the Coast Guard's manpower policy. For the first time a number of African Americans, approximately 1.6 percent of the guard's total enlisted complement, would undergo regular recruit and specialized training. On August 14, 1943, Samuels was sent to the North Atlantic where he served aboard the U.S.S. SEA CLOUD (IX-99), a vessel which operated as a Weather Station. Samuels, who became the Damage Control Officer on the SEA CLOUD, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on August 31.
On July 29, 1944, he assumed command of Lightship No. 115
"Frying Pan", operating in the Panama Sea Frontier. Thus, he became the first admitted Hispanic of African descent to command a cutter, as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime. A lightship, is a ship which acts as a lighthouse
. They are used in waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction. On May 18, 1945, he assumed command of Lightship No. 91 until August 2, 1945, when he was assigned as commanding officer of USCGC Sweetgum.
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Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
of African descent photographer in the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, to command a cutter, as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime.
Early years
Samuels was born and raised in the village of Bohio, PanamaPanama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. By 1920, he had immigrated to the United States and joined the United States Coast Guard as an alien (citizen of a foreign country). Samuels first assignment as a Seaman 2nd Class was aboard the USCGC EARP at Balboa Canal Zone, Panama. The term "Hispanic", which according to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
is an ethnic term used to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States, of any racial background, and of any religion, who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, was not used until the 1970s, therefore Latinos were classified by race either as "Whites" or as "Blacks". Samuels was classified as Black by the US Coast Guard and like so many Blacks before and after him, he was soon initiated into mess-man duty.
Military career
Segregation was the common practice in all the services, as indeed it was throughout much of American society. From 1920 to 1928, the Coast Guard was engaged in the apprehension of the rum runners seeking to circumvent the Prohibition laws. Samuels served aboard various vessels, among them the USCGC Earp (twice), USCGC Swift, USCGC Shawnee, USCGC Mojave and USCGC Argus during those years. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 21, 1923. On July 18, 1928, he assumed command of the Coast Guard Patrol Boat AB-15, operating out of Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
.
On September 8, 1930, Samuels was assigned to the Pea Island Coast Guard Station, lifeboat station manned totally by African-Americans, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On June 16, 1933, was promoted to Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class (Lifesaving). He reported to the Coast Guard Depot at Curtis bay, Maryland, on July 14, 1935, and served as the personal driver of Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche
Russell R. Waesche
Russell Randolph Waesche, Sr. . Waesche served as the eighth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, overseeing the service during World War II. He also holds the distinction of being the longest serving Commandant, serving ten years in command of the United States Coast Guard...
, the Coast Guard Commandant. On May 8, 1936, he was promoted to boatswain's mate, first class. On May 12, 1939, Samuels was appointed a Chief Photographer's Mate, becoming not only the first Hispanic of African descent photographer in the Guard, but also only the second photographer in the entire history of the Service.
World War II
Frank Knox
-External links:...
: "Pursuant to the provision of an Act of Congress approved July 24, 1941, (Public Law No. 188 - 77th Congress), the President of the United States on this date appoints you a Boatswain in the Coast Guard for temporary service to rank from the First of September 1942", thus Samuels was able to work himself up through the ranks to become a warrant officer. He was then reassigned to the Coast Guard Training Station at Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn
Manhattan Beach is a residential neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east, by Sheepshead Bay on the north, and Brighton Beach to the west. Traditionally known as an Italian and Ashkenazi Jewish neighborhood, it is also home to...
and served as the Director of Visual Signaling for Recruits. His position was one of great responsibility because it was part of a major innovation in the Coast Guard's manpower policy. For the first time a number of African Americans, approximately 1.6 percent of the guard's total enlisted complement, would undergo regular recruit and specialized training. On August 14, 1943, Samuels was sent to the North Atlantic where he served aboard the U.S.S. SEA CLOUD (IX-99), a vessel which operated as a Weather Station. Samuels, who became the Damage Control Officer on the SEA CLOUD, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on August 31.
On July 29, 1944, he assumed command of Lightship No. 115
Frying Pan (lightship)
Frying Pan is a lightvessel moored at Pier 66a in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It served at Frying Pan Shoals, off Cape Fear in North Carolina, for over 30 years.-Frying Pan Shoals Station:...
"Frying Pan", operating in the Panama Sea Frontier. Thus, he became the first admitted Hispanic of African descent to command a cutter, as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime. A lightship, is a ship which acts as a lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
. They are used in waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction. On May 18, 1945, he assumed command of Lightship No. 91 until August 2, 1945, when he was assigned as commanding officer of USCGC Sweetgum.
Later years
On June 25, 1946, his lieutenancy was revoked and he was dis-rated to Chief Photographer's mate. This type of action was not uncommon in the military after the war since it was a part of the massive demobilization of the Coast Guard following the end of hostilities. He was, however appointed temporarily to Chief Boatswain's Mate. He served aboard the buoy tender TULIP at Manila, Luzon Island, Philippines Islands in his last year in the military retiring on September 1, 1947, after 27 years of active service. Samuels resided in the Philippines for some time until he decided to return to the United States and make his home in California. Lieutenant (JG.) Samuels died 1983 at his home in Sonoma, CaliforniaSonoma, California
Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, surrounding its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Mexican colonial past. It was the capital of the short-lived California Republic...
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Military awards and decorations
Among Samuels's military decorations are the following:
American Defense Service MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalThe American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
American Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalThe American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
See also
- Hispanics in the United States Coast GuardHispanics in the United States Coast GuardHispanics in the United States Coast Guard can trace their tradition of service to the early 19th century, when they initially performed duties at light house stations as keepers and assistant keepers in its predecessor services...
- Hispanic Americans in World War IIHispanic Americans in World War IIHispanic Americans, also referred to as Latinos, fought in every major battle in the European Theatre of World War II in which the armed forces of the United States were involved, from North Africa to the Battle of the Bulge, and in the Pacific Theater of Operations, from Bataan to Okinawa...