HARMON, LEONARD ROY (1917–1942). Leonard Roy Harmon, posthumous recipient of the Navy Cross and first person of African-American descent after whom a Navy ship was named, was born on January 21, 1917, in Cuero, Texas, to Cornelius and Naunita Mabry (White) Harmon. He graduated from Daule High School and during the Great Depression was hired for various house […]

The post The USS Harmon: First Navy Ship Named After A Back Man (Mess Attendant Leonard Roy Harmon) Was Launched Today In 1943 appeared first on Black Then.