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1
00:00:02,536 --> 00:00:04,470
NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER:
50 miles north of Oakland,
2
00:00:04,505 --> 00:00:06,088
the Naval munitions base, Port Chicago,
3
00:00:06,123 --> 00:00:08,222
is abuzz with activity.
4
00:00:08,259 --> 00:00:09,774
Working round the clock, sailors load
5
00:00:09,794 --> 00:00:12,393
the bombs and ammunition our fighting men need.
6
00:00:12,430 --> 00:00:13,896
It's tough going
7
00:00:13,931 --> 00:00:16,781
but these sailors know they're doing their part
8
00:00:16,801 --> 00:00:19,151
to beat back the Japanese in the Pacific.
9
00:00:19,186 --> 00:00:22,620
Port Chicago-- gateway to victory.
10
00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,606
(soft groan)
11
00:00:24,642 --> 00:00:29,011
Whoa. My back
is killing me.
12
00:00:29,046 --> 00:00:30,411
Loading those bombs--
13
00:00:30,447 --> 00:00:32,514
be grateful it's
just your back.
14
00:00:32,549 --> 00:00:34,182
Are you sure
you told them girls
15
00:00:34,217 --> 00:00:35,517
and her friend 9:00?
16
00:00:35,552 --> 00:00:37,152
How many times
I got to tell you?
17
00:00:37,204 --> 00:00:41,006
Hey, how many tons you figure
we loaded on our shift today?
18
00:00:41,041 --> 00:00:43,408
About 250, including
that 500-pounder
19
00:00:43,443 --> 00:00:45,210
Johnson dropped
on the deck.
20
00:00:45,245 --> 00:00:46,412
They got us working
21
00:00:46,447 --> 00:00:48,313
too fast.
22
00:00:48,332 --> 00:00:50,165
Yeah, but if we fill
the lieutenant's tonnage quota
23
00:00:50,201 --> 00:00:51,233
then we get Saturday liberty.
24
00:00:55,289 --> 00:00:57,472
(screaming)
25
00:01:00,077 --> 00:01:01,977
Oh, my God.
26
00:01:02,012 --> 00:01:03,779
That was our ship.
27
00:01:09,270 --> 00:01:13,421
♪ ♪
28
00:01:55,249 --> 00:01:57,049
SINGER:
Admiral, may I have a minute?
29
00:01:57,084 --> 00:01:58,233
CHEGWIDDEN:
Sure.
30
00:01:58,269 --> 00:02:00,034
Sir, with Lieutenant
Roberts detached,
31
00:02:00,070 --> 00:02:02,437
I imagine you'll
be spreading the
workload around.
32
00:02:02,473 --> 00:02:04,373
I was hoping for my
share of big cases.
33
00:02:04,408 --> 00:02:06,708
No small cases,
only small lawyers, Lieutenant.
34
00:02:06,744 --> 00:02:07,709
Yes, sir.
35
00:02:07,745 --> 00:02:09,327
Just saying please
keep me in mind.
36
00:02:09,363 --> 00:02:11,663
You're often on my mind,
Lieutenant.
37
00:02:11,698 --> 00:02:13,615
Yes, sir. Sir,
one more thing?
38
00:02:13,651 --> 00:02:15,150
In Lieutenant Roberts' absence,
39
00:02:15,185 --> 00:02:17,668
I'd like to request that
I move into his office.
40
00:02:17,705 --> 00:02:18,670
I'll think about it.
41
00:02:18,706 --> 00:02:19,671
Yes, sir.
42
00:02:19,707 --> 00:02:21,406
Thank you, sir.
43
00:02:21,441 --> 00:02:23,075
Admiral,
you have a visitor.
44
00:02:23,110 --> 00:02:24,392
Thank you, Tiner.
45
00:02:26,763 --> 00:02:27,896
Chaplain Turner.
46
00:02:27,931 --> 00:02:29,414
Admiral, I hope
you don't mind
47
00:02:29,449 --> 00:02:30,949
my resting these old bones.
48
00:02:30,984 --> 00:02:32,984
They've been hibernating
all winter.
49
00:02:33,003 --> 00:02:33,969
Not at all.
50
00:02:34,004 --> 00:02:34,970
Good to see you.
51
00:02:35,005 --> 00:02:36,270
To what do I owe
this pleasure?
52
00:02:36,306 --> 00:02:37,289
Well...
53
00:02:37,308 --> 00:02:39,174
I got a call
this morning
54
00:02:39,209 --> 00:02:40,575
from an old friend
55
00:02:40,611 --> 00:02:42,978
who may need
some legal advice.
56
00:02:43,013 --> 00:02:47,081
You're familiar with a World War
II disaster at Port Chicago?
57
00:02:47,117 --> 00:02:48,800
As a matter of fact,
I am.
58
00:02:48,819 --> 00:02:53,054
1944, an explosion
at a Navy base near Oakland.
59
00:02:53,089 --> 00:02:54,055
Killed 320 men.
60
00:02:54,090 --> 00:02:55,339
Yes, most of
the seamen
61
00:02:55,359 --> 00:02:56,524
African Americans.
62
00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,961
Well, afterwards,
some of the sailors
63
00:02:58,996 --> 00:03:00,796
refused to go back to work.
64
00:03:00,831 --> 00:03:01,797
Said it was unsafe.
65
00:03:01,832 --> 00:03:03,198
Navy convicted 50 of mutiny.
66
00:03:03,233 --> 00:03:04,482
Well, one of
the men--
67
00:03:04,517 --> 00:03:07,018
a sailor that I knew
at Great Lakes
68
00:03:07,054 --> 00:03:09,004
back in, uh, '48,
Aubrey McBride--
69
00:03:09,039 --> 00:03:11,706
has petitioned for
a new day in court.
70
00:03:11,741 --> 00:03:13,375
Just got word of it
this morning.
71
00:03:13,410 --> 00:03:14,626
(knocking)
72
00:03:14,661 --> 00:03:16,228
Enter.
73
00:03:16,263 --> 00:03:17,229
Sorry, sir.
74
00:03:17,264 --> 00:03:18,396
Tiner stepped away.
75
00:03:18,432 --> 00:03:19,731
Dad.
76
00:03:19,766 --> 00:03:21,600
Sturgis, came
by your office
77
00:03:21,635 --> 00:03:22,734
looking for you.
78
00:03:22,769 --> 00:03:23,735
You were out.
79
00:03:23,770 --> 00:03:25,403
I was hoping
you'd join us.
80
00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:26,704
Have a seat,
Commander.
81
00:03:26,740 --> 00:03:28,906
Your father and I
were just discussing
82
00:03:28,942 --> 00:03:29,907
Port Chicago.
83
00:03:29,943 --> 00:03:31,476
One of the convicted men--
84
00:03:31,511 --> 00:03:33,244
an old sailor friend
of your father's--
85
00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:34,779
requested a new court-martial.
86
00:03:34,814 --> 00:03:36,197
I thought the
Port Chicago 50
87
00:03:36,233 --> 00:03:38,499
were all discharged
from the Navy.
88
00:03:38,535 --> 00:03:41,002
Oh, but McBride
petitioned to stay in.
89
00:03:41,038 --> 00:03:45,640
Did his 30 years, made chief
and retired with benefits.
90
00:03:45,675 --> 00:03:47,375
I'll be honest, A.J.,
91
00:03:47,411 --> 00:03:50,512
I'm not sure a
new court-martial
is a good idea.
92
00:03:50,547 --> 00:03:54,216
Chief McBride has a tendency
to push too hard sometimes.
93
00:03:54,251 --> 00:03:55,683
You want somebody
to talk to him?
94
00:03:55,719 --> 00:03:56,685
I'd appreciate it.
95
00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:57,686
I just want to make sure
96
00:03:57,721 --> 00:03:59,037
he doesn't shoot himself
in the foot.
97
00:03:59,056 --> 00:04:00,021
I'll see to it.
98
00:04:00,057 --> 00:04:01,156
Thank you, Admiral.
99
00:04:02,259 --> 00:04:04,492
We still on for
dinner Sunday?
100
00:04:04,527 --> 00:04:06,044
If you're not cooking.
101
00:04:06,063 --> 00:04:08,063
We'll go to the "O" Club.
102
00:04:08,098 --> 00:04:09,848
I'll be in touch, A.J.
103
00:04:15,072 --> 00:04:17,356
Chief McBride retires
at full benefits.
104
00:04:17,391 --> 00:04:19,891
Why's he going after
the Navy now, sir?
105
00:04:19,926 --> 00:04:22,327
Well, that's what
you're going to find out.
106
00:04:22,363 --> 00:04:23,695
This my dad's
idea, sir?
107
00:04:23,731 --> 00:04:24,929
My idea.
108
00:04:24,949 --> 00:04:28,583
Commander Rabb and Colonel
McKenzie busy, sir?
109
00:04:28,619 --> 00:04:30,485
This is a sensitive matter.
110
00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,088
The Navy would like
to have it settled,
111
00:04:33,123 --> 00:04:34,789
and I need a level head.
112
00:04:34,842 --> 00:04:35,841
Yes, sir.
113
00:04:35,876 --> 00:04:37,809
That will be all.
114
00:04:42,599 --> 00:04:44,599
Let me help you
with that, ma'am.
115
00:04:44,635 --> 00:04:45,700
Thank you, Tiner.
116
00:04:45,736 --> 00:04:47,201
Is this your lunch,
Lieutenant?
117
00:04:47,237 --> 00:04:50,038
No, it's a chicken,
three shrimp stir-fry,
118
00:04:50,073 --> 00:04:53,007
two pounds of raw chuck,
and a rump roast.
119
00:04:53,043 --> 00:04:54,108
Interested?
120
00:04:54,144 --> 00:04:55,977
I've had a complete
breakfast, ma'am.
121
00:04:56,012 --> 00:04:58,146
Would you stow these
in the freezer for me?
122
00:04:58,181 --> 00:04:59,414
No problem, Lieutenant.
123
00:04:59,450 --> 00:05:00,415
Thank you.
124
00:05:00,451 --> 00:05:01,382
Morning, sir.
125
00:05:02,586 --> 00:05:05,420
My refrigerator's
broken again, sir.
126
00:05:05,456 --> 00:05:06,571
Oh, call your landlord.
127
00:05:06,606 --> 00:05:07,605
Oh, he's U.A.
128
00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,574
And the repairman can't
come for three days.
129
00:05:09,609 --> 00:05:11,476
Bud used to take care
of this stuff for me.
130
00:05:11,511 --> 00:05:13,328
You know, I'm not
doing anything tonight.
131
00:05:13,363 --> 00:05:14,362
I'll pop by.
132
00:05:14,397 --> 00:05:15,463
That'd be great, sir.
133
00:05:15,498 --> 00:05:17,699
Have you ever fixed a
refrigerator before?
134
00:05:17,734 --> 00:05:19,600
How hard can it be?
135
00:05:19,636 --> 00:05:20,601
It's a closed system.
136
00:05:20,637 --> 00:05:21,852
The compressors
are sealed.
137
00:05:21,889 --> 00:05:23,355
RABB:
When did you
become an expert
138
00:05:23,390 --> 00:05:24,589
on refrigerators?
139
00:05:24,624 --> 00:05:25,590
I'm not.
140
00:05:25,625 --> 00:05:27,692
I've just learned to steer clear
of home repairs
141
00:05:27,727 --> 00:05:29,094
when my freezer's on the blink.
142
00:05:29,129 --> 00:05:30,945
When was the last time
you fixed anything?
143
00:05:30,981 --> 00:05:32,580
Well, my 'Vette's
working pretty good.
144
00:05:34,818 --> 00:05:37,102
It'll be all right.
145
00:05:37,137 --> 00:05:38,503
I wish I could
believe that, sir.
146
00:05:38,522 --> 00:05:40,389
Not about the
refrigerator
147
00:05:40,424 --> 00:05:42,039
but about everything.
148
00:05:42,076 --> 00:05:44,076
My apartment's too small,
it's noisy,
149
00:05:44,111 --> 00:05:45,494
the traffic is terrible.
150
00:05:45,529 --> 00:05:47,345
If A.J. gets sick,
I'm an hour away.
151
00:05:47,364 --> 00:05:50,332
It's just going to take
some getting used to--
152
00:05:50,367 --> 00:05:51,333
Bud being gone.
153
00:05:51,368 --> 00:05:53,952
If you need anything,
just ask, all right?
154
00:05:53,987 --> 00:05:55,553
Help me buy a new house, sir?
155
00:06:02,329 --> 00:06:03,495
The JAG send you,
or your father?
156
00:06:03,530 --> 00:06:06,398
I'm here on official
business, sir.
157
00:06:06,433 --> 00:06:08,767
Your dad tells me
you're good, Commander.
158
00:06:08,802 --> 00:06:10,802
He's biased, Chief.
159
00:06:10,837 --> 00:06:13,371
A JAG lawyer and a submariner.
160
00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:16,174
Navy sure has
changed a lot, sir.
161
00:06:16,209 --> 00:06:17,175
Yes, it has
162
00:06:17,210 --> 00:06:18,910
which is actually
the reason I'm here.
163
00:06:18,945 --> 00:06:20,812
The Navy wants me
to keep my trap shut?
164
00:06:20,847 --> 00:06:22,347
I'm just here
to listen, Chief,
165
00:06:22,382 --> 00:06:24,416
but I do have to ask
what good you think
166
00:06:24,451 --> 00:06:26,184
can come from
reopening this case.
167
00:06:26,219 --> 00:06:29,153
You sure you're Chaplain
Turner's son, Commander?
168
00:06:29,189 --> 00:06:31,189
I'm not going
to lie to you, Chief,
169
00:06:31,224 --> 00:06:34,041
the Navy would like to see
if this matter can be resolved
170
00:06:34,078 --> 00:06:36,911
without going
to court-martial.
171
00:06:36,947 --> 00:06:41,149
My buddy Randall Winston and I
enlisted in the Navy at 16
172
00:06:41,185 --> 00:06:42,617
after Pearl Harbor.
173
00:06:42,652 --> 00:06:46,020
We read some newspaper stories
about Dori Miller--
174
00:06:46,056 --> 00:06:48,557
a black mess attendant
who manned a gun
175
00:06:48,592 --> 00:06:51,226
and shot down a bunch
of Japanese planes.
176
00:06:51,261 --> 00:06:55,529
When we got our orders
to Port Chicago,
177
00:06:55,565 --> 00:06:57,682
Randall says, "See,
178
00:06:57,717 --> 00:06:59,884
"all they figure
a black man can do
179
00:06:59,919 --> 00:07:01,936
is guard the White Sox dugout."
180
00:07:01,989 --> 00:07:03,654
And I said, "No, Randall,
181
00:07:03,690 --> 00:07:06,524
"we're going to Port
Chicago, California.
182
00:07:06,559 --> 00:07:09,344
They sending us to fight
in the Pacific."
183
00:07:11,331 --> 00:07:15,099
Turns out Randall was right.
184
00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:23,441
You boys hear what Sixth
Division loaded yesterday?
185
00:07:23,460 --> 00:07:26,394
160 tons.
186
00:07:26,430 --> 00:07:31,816
You boys load 165 by 1500,
you get liberty.
187
00:07:31,852 --> 00:07:33,184
If not, you don't.
188
00:07:35,889 --> 00:07:38,256
While I was at Port Chicago
189
00:07:38,291 --> 00:07:41,560
I learned Dori Miller
was lost at sea.
190
00:07:41,595 --> 00:07:43,762
I saw a newsreel
of Jesse Owens
191
00:07:43,797 --> 00:07:45,496
running against a horse
192
00:07:45,532 --> 00:07:47,665
and I knew they weren't
going to let us fight.
193
00:07:47,701 --> 00:07:49,201
I appreciate your anger...
194
00:07:49,236 --> 00:07:51,802
You can't appreciate
a damn thing, Commander.
195
00:07:51,822 --> 00:07:55,957
You're so accepted by the
system, you've become it.
196
00:07:55,992 --> 00:07:58,726
A mouthpiece
for the Secretary of the Navy.
197
00:07:58,761 --> 00:07:59,794
Excuse me,
198
00:07:59,830 --> 00:08:03,097
but I speak for all
of the Navy and my country
199
00:08:03,133 --> 00:08:04,332
and I'm not sure
dredging up
200
00:08:04,367 --> 00:08:05,934
this divisive incident
from the past
201
00:08:05,969 --> 00:08:07,601
serves either interest,
especially now
202
00:08:07,637 --> 00:08:09,270
when we should all
be pulling together.
203
00:08:10,891 --> 00:08:13,424
(chuckles)
204
00:08:13,459 --> 00:08:16,727
Well, you've got
some vinegar after all.
205
00:08:16,763 --> 00:08:18,779
Could've used you in '44.
206
00:08:18,815 --> 00:08:23,935
Oh, those munitions ships
were a powder keg.
207
00:08:23,970 --> 00:08:28,689
To go back to work under the
same conditions was suicide.
208
00:08:32,912 --> 00:08:34,445
(loud bang)
209
00:08:34,481 --> 00:08:35,446
Ow.
210
00:08:35,482 --> 00:08:36,947
Is everything
okay, sir?
211
00:08:38,851 --> 00:08:41,035
Yeah, yeah, it's
coming pretty good.
212
00:08:41,088 --> 00:08:42,621
Are you done, sir?
213
00:08:42,656 --> 00:08:45,556
It just needs
a little fine-tuning.
214
00:08:45,592 --> 00:08:47,258
Do you have any duct tape?
215
00:08:47,293 --> 00:08:48,259
Ow.
216
00:08:48,295 --> 00:08:49,860
Uh, I don't know.
217
00:08:49,896 --> 00:08:51,262
Let me ask Bud.
218
00:08:53,634 --> 00:08:57,935
It's in a shoe box
in the closet.
219
00:08:59,405 --> 00:09:01,005
He says we have some
in the closet.
220
00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:02,557
Oh.
221
00:09:10,733 --> 00:09:13,334
See why we need
a bigger place?
(chuckles)
222
00:09:13,370 --> 00:09:15,703
Plus, Bud and I are thinking
about having another child.
223
00:09:15,738 --> 00:09:16,704
Really?
224
00:09:16,739 --> 00:09:19,374
That's great, Harriet.
225
00:09:19,409 --> 00:09:20,875
Difficult though
with Bud gone
226
00:09:20,910 --> 00:09:22,176
for six months at a time.
227
00:09:22,212 --> 00:09:23,177
Yeah.
228
00:09:23,213 --> 00:09:25,079
E-mail only goes so far.
229
00:09:32,973 --> 00:09:35,639
Maybe I could start looking.
230
00:09:35,675 --> 00:09:37,708
Good morning,
Lieutenant.
231
00:09:37,743 --> 00:09:39,344
Good morning.
232
00:09:45,485 --> 00:09:47,718
We'll talk more about it later.
233
00:09:47,753 --> 00:09:49,771
Don't work too hard, sweetie.
234
00:09:54,277 --> 00:09:55,743
Anything I can do
for you, sir?
235
00:09:55,778 --> 00:09:56,761
No, thank you, sweetie.
236
00:09:56,780 --> 00:09:57,962
Uh... Peetie...
237
00:09:57,998 --> 00:09:59,530
Petty Officer.
238
00:09:59,565 --> 00:10:00,665
Thank you.
239
00:10:04,588 --> 00:10:06,120
Don't worry, sweetie.
240
00:10:06,155 --> 00:10:07,655
My Legalman is great.
241
00:10:11,628 --> 00:10:13,728
E-mail home, sir?
242
00:10:13,763 --> 00:10:14,862
Uh, yeah.
243
00:10:14,897 --> 00:10:16,764
How are things?
244
00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,401
Bud's doing great, sir.
245
00:10:19,436 --> 00:10:21,586
Sir, do you know anything
about buying a house?
246
00:10:21,605 --> 00:10:22,570
(chuckles)
247
00:10:22,606 --> 00:10:24,305
Not unless I get married.
248
00:10:24,358 --> 00:10:26,924
Unless or until, sir?
249
00:10:28,028 --> 00:10:29,727
How's the fridge
doing, sir?
250
00:10:29,762 --> 00:10:31,912
Duct tape didn't work.
251
00:10:31,948 --> 00:10:35,016
You'll think of something, sir.
252
00:10:36,319 --> 00:10:37,285
Yeah.
253
00:10:37,321 --> 00:10:39,070
McBRIDE:
So, Commander,
254
00:10:39,105 --> 00:10:41,205
SECNAV wants to know
why an old man's
255
00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:43,875
causing so much trouble
after all these years?
256
00:10:43,910 --> 00:10:45,376
He's not alone.
257
00:10:45,411 --> 00:10:47,144
At my age, sir...
258
00:10:47,164 --> 00:10:50,298
alone gets to be a way of life.
259
00:10:50,333 --> 00:10:52,350
More so every day.
260
00:10:54,754 --> 00:10:57,672
Randall Winston and I
were there that night.
261
00:10:57,724 --> 00:11:00,124
We saw the fireball.
262
00:11:00,159 --> 00:11:02,360
Heard the screams.
263
00:11:02,396 --> 00:11:04,829
He was one of the 50
convicted of mutiny.
264
00:11:04,865 --> 00:11:06,163
I recognize the name.
265
00:11:06,199 --> 00:11:09,401
He told me, one day
he was going to set
the record straight.
266
00:11:09,436 --> 00:11:13,004
And I told him I'd have
his back when he did.
267
00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:16,074
You want to know why I'm
doing this, Commander?
268
00:11:18,361 --> 00:11:20,695
I've got
a promise to keep.
269
00:11:20,730 --> 00:11:23,798
CHEGWIDDEN:
He really wants to go to court-martial.
270
00:11:23,834 --> 00:11:25,784
Yes, he does, sir.
271
00:11:25,819 --> 00:11:27,786
And I'd like to represent him.
272
00:11:27,821 --> 00:11:29,520
He asked you?
273
00:11:29,555 --> 00:11:32,123
I volunteered, sir.
274
00:11:32,158 --> 00:11:35,025
He's waiving his rights, statute
of limitations, double jeopardy.
275
00:11:35,045 --> 00:11:37,811
What part of "the Navy
wants to settle this"
276
00:11:37,847 --> 00:11:39,580
didn't you understand?
277
00:11:39,615 --> 00:11:42,216
I believe the man
has a case, sir.
278
00:11:42,252 --> 00:11:44,185
Based on one conversation?
279
00:11:44,221 --> 00:11:46,820
Based on history, sir.
280
00:11:46,857 --> 00:11:49,674
I did ask for a level head here.
281
00:11:49,693 --> 00:11:52,459
Well, if we're not
looking at a settlement
282
00:11:52,495 --> 00:11:55,045
and this has to go
to court-martial,
283
00:11:55,065 --> 00:11:57,198
can I count on you?
284
00:11:57,234 --> 00:11:59,300
Yes, sir.
285
00:12:13,032 --> 00:12:14,682
RABB:
Harriet.
286
00:12:14,718 --> 00:12:16,650
Uh, I'm just on break, sir.
287
00:12:16,686 --> 00:12:19,537
Did you hear from
the appliance store yet?
288
00:12:19,556 --> 00:12:21,255
Oh, I picked up a part
on the way in.
289
00:12:21,290 --> 00:12:22,841
Life would be a whole lot easier
290
00:12:22,876 --> 00:12:24,142
if I lived closer
to work.
291
00:12:24,177 --> 00:12:25,844
Nice place.
It's a little pricey.
292
00:12:25,879 --> 00:12:27,278
MacKENZIE:
What's a little pricey?
293
00:12:27,314 --> 00:12:29,180
Take a look.
294
00:12:29,215 --> 00:12:30,614
Wow. You and Bud
thinking about...
295
00:12:30,650 --> 00:12:31,749
Just daydreaming, ma'am.
296
00:12:31,768 --> 00:12:34,602
Nice dream.
297
00:12:34,638 --> 00:12:35,770
(whistles)
298
00:12:35,805 --> 00:12:37,639
Sir, thank you very much
for your help.
299
00:12:37,674 --> 00:12:38,873
Yeah, sure.
300
00:12:38,908 --> 00:12:40,358
You and Bud planning
301
00:12:40,393 --> 00:12:42,060
on buying a house.
Not just yet.
302
00:12:42,095 --> 00:12:43,427
I'd hate to worry
303
00:12:43,447 --> 00:12:45,814
about mortgage payments
with my husband at sea.
304
00:12:45,849 --> 00:12:48,516
Lieutenant Singer,
walk with me, please.
Yes, sir.
305
00:12:48,552 --> 00:12:50,919
I have an assignment
for you.
Thank you, sir.
306
00:12:50,954 --> 00:12:53,955
I'd like for you
to prosecute the
McBride case.
307
00:12:55,325 --> 00:12:59,543
Isn't he the old man
being court-martialed, sir?
308
00:12:59,579 --> 00:13:01,645
Do you have an issue
with prosecuting
309
00:13:01,681 --> 00:13:03,614
an "old man," Lieutenant?
310
00:13:03,649 --> 00:13:06,084
No, sir. No issue.
311
00:13:06,119 --> 00:13:09,554
Look, I realize this may not be
the most appealing case...
312
00:13:09,589 --> 00:13:11,321
I have no problem, sir.
313
00:13:11,357 --> 00:13:14,224
The man defied an order
and engaged in mutinous acts
314
00:13:14,260 --> 00:13:16,093
no matter what
the justification.
315
00:13:16,128 --> 00:13:18,563
And I'm going
to nail his butt to the yardarm.
316
00:13:18,598 --> 00:13:21,065
Well, that'll be all.
317
00:13:22,552 --> 00:13:25,436
Sir... about Roberts' office?
318
00:13:25,455 --> 00:13:29,290
Right. I'll have Lieutenant Sims
remove his personal effects.
319
00:13:29,326 --> 00:13:31,158
The office is yours for now,
320
00:13:31,211 --> 00:13:33,077
Lieutenant.
Thank you, sir.
321
00:13:33,112 --> 00:13:34,612
STURGIS:
Look here, Chief,
322
00:13:34,647 --> 00:13:36,964
I just want to go over some of these facts with you.
323
00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,967
No problem, Commander.
324
00:13:39,002 --> 00:13:40,502
You know, your
dad called me.
325
00:13:40,537 --> 00:13:42,770
Said to make sure you
gave me a good rate.
326
00:13:42,806 --> 00:13:45,172
I promise I'm worth
every penny.
(chuckles)
327
00:13:45,208 --> 00:13:47,375
How'd you and my dad
meet, anyway?
328
00:13:47,410 --> 00:13:49,210
Oh, the Chaplain used
to eat with us
329
00:13:49,245 --> 00:13:50,611
in the mess
at Great Lakes.
330
00:13:50,647 --> 00:13:52,997
Negro officers
weren't allowed
331
00:13:53,016 --> 00:13:55,266
in the "O" club back then,
Commander.
332
00:13:55,301 --> 00:13:56,934
I knew that.
333
00:13:56,970 --> 00:14:00,271
I just... forget.
334
00:14:00,306 --> 00:14:02,874
My dad doesn't talk much
about those things.
335
00:14:02,909 --> 00:14:05,075
Well, I'm sure
there are lots of things
336
00:14:05,111 --> 00:14:06,627
he didn't talk much about.
337
00:14:08,414 --> 00:14:10,448
About this mutiny charge.
338
00:14:10,483 --> 00:14:12,883
Oh, I never could
understand that, Commander.
339
00:14:12,919 --> 00:14:15,186
We just said we wasn't
going back to work.
340
00:14:15,221 --> 00:14:16,854
That's our defense, Chief.
341
00:14:16,873 --> 00:14:18,873
This mutiny charge
doesn't hold up.
342
00:14:18,908 --> 00:14:20,842
You never had
the required intent
343
00:14:20,877 --> 00:14:23,611
to usurp or override
lawful military authority.
344
00:14:23,646 --> 00:14:26,697
Do you know what Thurgood
Marshall said, Commander?
345
00:14:26,716 --> 00:14:29,083
Sir?
He said, "I can't understand
346
00:14:29,118 --> 00:14:32,019
"why whenever more than one
Negro disobeys an order
347
00:14:32,054 --> 00:14:33,537
it's mutiny."
348
00:14:33,557 --> 00:14:36,323
He was right--
I'd have charged you
with disobeying orders.
349
00:14:36,359 --> 00:14:38,643
Hey, whose side
are you on?
350
00:14:38,678 --> 00:14:39,994
(chuckles softly)
351
00:14:40,030 --> 00:14:42,997
You sure you wouldn't rather
do this at your house?
352
00:14:43,033 --> 00:14:44,649
Sold my house, Commander.
353
00:14:44,684 --> 00:14:47,018
Live in an apartment
upstairs now.
354
00:14:47,053 --> 00:14:49,404
I've had some
financial setbacks.
355
00:14:49,456 --> 00:14:52,657
There's more company
here, anyway.
356
00:14:52,692 --> 00:14:55,008
SINGER:
Great news, sir.
357
00:14:55,045 --> 00:14:57,412
What's that, Lieutenant?
I just located a witness--
358
00:14:57,447 --> 00:14:59,480
an officer who was
at Port Chicago
359
00:14:59,516 --> 00:15:03,317
who can testify that McBride led
the conspiracy to refuse orders.
360
00:15:03,353 --> 00:15:05,436
Well, congratulations.
361
00:15:05,472 --> 00:15:07,538
The old man's toast, sir.
362
00:15:09,375 --> 00:15:11,375
Excuse me, Lieutenant.
363
00:15:12,746 --> 00:15:14,746
Colonel, a minute, please?
364
00:15:14,781 --> 00:15:16,714
Problem, sir?
365
00:15:18,451 --> 00:15:20,084
Singer.
366
00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:22,553
You're talking about
the McBride case, Admiral?
367
00:15:22,588 --> 00:15:23,888
Help me out here,
Colonel.
368
00:15:23,923 --> 00:15:25,690
I think she's gone
off the deep end.
369
00:15:25,725 --> 00:15:27,442
Do you want me
to take over?
370
00:15:27,494 --> 00:15:29,277
I want you to sit
second chair.
371
00:15:29,329 --> 00:15:31,529
I'd prefer
the electric chair, sir.
372
00:15:31,564 --> 00:15:35,499
I realize that, Colonel,
but I need someone to
keep an eye on her.
373
00:15:35,535 --> 00:15:36,801
Uh... (sighs)
374
00:15:36,836 --> 00:15:40,070
Sir, if I may, um...
I never thought
375
00:15:40,105 --> 00:15:42,206
Lieutenant Singer
was the right person
376
00:15:42,241 --> 00:15:43,607
for this job.
377
00:15:43,642 --> 00:15:45,609
This case requires
a light touch.
378
00:15:45,644 --> 00:15:49,246
You may be right, Colonel,
and that's why I need you.
379
00:15:50,350 --> 00:15:52,633
Understood, sir.
380
00:15:54,203 --> 00:15:56,871
And, as you can see,
spacious but cozy
381
00:15:56,906 --> 00:15:59,306
and with these
ceilings, very light.
382
00:15:59,341 --> 00:16:01,341
Why don't you
have a cookie?
No, thanks.
383
00:16:01,377 --> 00:16:02,442
Cookie, Commander?
384
00:16:02,478 --> 00:16:04,044
Uh, no, thank you.
Excuse me.
385
00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:05,246
Oh.
Rabb.
386
00:16:05,281 --> 00:16:07,614
Let me show you the porch.
387
00:16:07,650 --> 00:16:08,950
RABB:
Uh-huh.
388
00:16:11,204 --> 00:16:13,971
Your husband's quite a hunk.
389
00:16:14,006 --> 00:16:16,674
Yes, he is... but
he's not my husband.
390
00:16:16,710 --> 00:16:19,276
Really? You seem like
the perfect couple.
391
00:16:19,312 --> 00:16:21,145
You think so?
392
00:16:21,181 --> 00:16:22,646
My husband's overseas
393
00:16:22,682 --> 00:16:25,249
and Commander Rabb's just
helping me while he's away.
394
00:16:25,284 --> 00:16:27,151
How do you
like the house?
395
00:16:27,186 --> 00:16:28,685
It's, uh, very nice.
396
00:16:28,722 --> 00:16:31,005
(cell phone rings)
Oh. Excuse me.
397
00:16:32,942 --> 00:16:35,643
Harriet, this is, uh,
none of my business...
398
00:16:35,678 --> 00:16:37,612
No, sir, I asked
for your help.
399
00:16:37,647 --> 00:16:40,131
Can you and Bud
really afford this place?
400
00:16:40,166 --> 00:16:42,567
I think we can
swing it, sir.
401
00:16:42,602 --> 00:16:45,136
Bud doesn't mind
going out on a limb?
402
00:16:45,171 --> 00:16:48,956
There are some things that
we still need to talk about.
403
00:16:48,992 --> 00:16:50,824
Well, any decisions?
404
00:16:50,860 --> 00:16:52,659
I think we're interested.
405
00:16:52,696 --> 00:16:54,762
Great. Uh, listen,
I'm not one to pressure
406
00:16:54,798 --> 00:16:56,831
but I've gotten calls
from other Realtors
407
00:16:56,866 --> 00:16:58,799
who have clients ready
to make an offer
408
00:16:58,835 --> 00:17:02,269
and I don't want you to
miss an opportunity here.
409
00:17:02,305 --> 00:17:04,205
What do we need to do?
410
00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:06,624
CHEGWIDDEN:
Chief, thank you for coming in today.
411
00:17:06,659 --> 00:17:09,227
As you know,
the SECNAV has taken
412
00:17:09,262 --> 00:17:11,529
a keen interest
in this case.
413
00:17:11,564 --> 00:17:14,698
He has authorized this office
to make you an offer
414
00:17:14,734 --> 00:17:17,801
he hopes will bring this matter
to a resolution.
415
00:17:17,837 --> 00:17:22,706
Well, Admiral,
you convened
this tea party.
416
00:17:22,742 --> 00:17:25,143
Lieutenant Singer?
417
00:17:25,178 --> 00:17:26,810
Chief McBride...
418
00:17:26,846 --> 00:17:29,513
SECNAV's prepared
to issue a public apology
419
00:17:29,532 --> 00:17:32,299
to you and the 49 other men
who were convicted of mutiny.
420
00:17:32,335 --> 00:17:34,318
It will acknowledge
that racial prejudice
421
00:17:34,353 --> 00:17:36,453
influenced work assignments
at the base
422
00:17:36,488 --> 00:17:39,490
and that conditions were
hazardous and discriminatory.
423
00:17:39,525 --> 00:17:40,891
Well, I don't hear anything
424
00:17:40,926 --> 00:17:42,893
about overturning
convictions, ma'am.
425
00:17:42,912 --> 00:17:46,346
No, but SECNAV has
entered into discussions
with the White House
426
00:17:46,382 --> 00:17:49,149
regarding a blanket
presidential pardon
for all 50 men.
427
00:17:49,185 --> 00:17:52,686
SECNAV's also informed
us that he's submitting
proposed legislation
428
00:17:52,721 --> 00:17:55,072
for an act of Congress
granting exoneration.
429
00:18:01,948 --> 00:18:04,565
I'm sorry, but I can't accept.
430
00:18:04,601 --> 00:18:07,451
No apologies,
no pardons
431
00:18:07,487 --> 00:18:09,353
and no deals.
MacKENZIE:
Chief McBride
432
00:18:09,388 --> 00:18:10,855
a pardon and an act
of Congress
433
00:18:10,890 --> 00:18:14,192
would mean full recognition
of this injustice.
434
00:18:14,227 --> 00:18:17,295
My buddy Randall Winston
used to say
435
00:18:17,330 --> 00:18:22,466
"After what's happened,
pardons don't cut it."
436
00:18:22,502 --> 00:18:25,102
Randall deserved
a military funeral.
437
00:18:25,137 --> 00:18:28,072
He just got put
in a hole in the ground.
438
00:18:28,091 --> 00:18:30,257
And I want my
day in court.
439
00:18:30,293 --> 00:18:32,493
Well, then, Chief, I think
it's my responsibility
440
00:18:32,528 --> 00:18:34,262
to inform you that
I intend to proffer
441
00:18:34,297 --> 00:18:36,881
additional charges
of insubordination
and disobeying orders.
442
00:18:36,916 --> 00:18:38,815
MacKENZIE:
We haven't discussed
recommending
443
00:18:38,851 --> 00:18:39,816
any additional charges.
444
00:18:39,852 --> 00:18:40,817
I'm lead counsel--
445
00:18:40,854 --> 00:18:42,903
I'm leading this discussion,
Colonel.
446
00:18:42,939 --> 00:18:45,256
Sir, the original charge
was mutiny.
447
00:18:45,275 --> 00:18:47,441
New trial, new charges.
448
00:18:47,477 --> 00:18:50,144
STURGIS:
Admiral, surely the Lieutenant
doesn't intend to widen
449
00:18:50,196 --> 00:18:51,628
the scope of these proceedings.
450
00:18:51,648 --> 00:18:54,348
As lead counsel,
she is within her rights
451
00:18:54,383 --> 00:18:56,249
and I will not interfere.
452
00:18:56,286 --> 00:18:58,602
Thank you, sir.
453
00:18:58,621 --> 00:19:01,906
Sir, I... I'd like a word
with my client.
454
00:19:01,941 --> 00:19:04,275
That's an excellent idea.
455
00:19:06,996 --> 00:19:08,996
CHEGWIDDEN:
Colonel, Lieutenant.
456
00:19:13,636 --> 00:19:17,037
What are you doing,
Lieutenant?
My job, ma'am.
457
00:19:17,072 --> 00:19:18,822
You endorse this, Admiral?
458
00:19:18,842 --> 00:19:22,093
I don't engage in undue
command influence, Colonel.
459
00:19:22,128 --> 00:19:24,761
What did I do wrong, ma'am?
460
00:19:24,797 --> 00:19:26,780
Our job is to uphold
461
00:19:26,816 --> 00:19:30,017
the original conviction,
not freelance new charges.
462
00:19:30,052 --> 00:19:33,370
I am not interested
in some musty mutiny
charge, ma'am.
463
00:19:33,406 --> 00:19:34,939
This man refused an order.
464
00:19:34,974 --> 00:19:37,808
Race may have played a role
in his conviction 60 years ago
465
00:19:37,843 --> 00:19:40,177
but I am not about to let it
play a role again.
466
00:19:40,213 --> 00:19:42,446
I plan to walk
into a color-blind court
467
00:19:42,481 --> 00:19:45,016
and present the facts
as they were in 1944.
468
00:19:45,051 --> 00:19:47,652
Orders were given,
and orders were disobeyed.
469
00:19:47,670 --> 00:19:51,371
Be very careful, Lieutenant--
you're playing with fire.
470
00:19:51,424 --> 00:19:55,676
No, sir. With all due respect,
I'm playing to win.
471
00:19:55,712 --> 00:20:00,564
McBRIDE:
I thought you were liking our chances, Commander Turner.
472
00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,267
Chief, I was confident
we could overturn the
mutiny convictions
473
00:20:04,303 --> 00:20:08,238
but with these new charges,
it's, uh, 50-50 at best.
474
00:20:08,273 --> 00:20:10,107
Not very good odds, Commander.
475
00:20:10,142 --> 00:20:11,775
And even worse
when you consider
476
00:20:11,811 --> 00:20:14,211
if we lose, you might be
punitively discharged
477
00:20:14,246 --> 00:20:16,013
and lose your
veterans' benefits--
478
00:20:16,048 --> 00:20:17,998
your pension, health,
everything.
479
00:20:18,034 --> 00:20:20,985
You've told me already,
your financial situation
has looked better.
480
00:20:21,020 --> 00:20:24,021
58 years ago, the Navy
wouldn't let me fight.
481
00:20:24,056 --> 00:20:27,425
I'll be damned if they're
going to buy me off now.
482
00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:30,494
There's a simple solution
here, Commander.
483
00:20:30,529 --> 00:20:33,430
You've got to win.
484
00:20:42,508 --> 00:20:44,108
SINGER:
Captain Shaw,
485
00:20:44,143 --> 00:20:46,711
you teach class at Annapolis on World War II Naval history.
486
00:20:46,746 --> 00:20:47,712
Is that right?
487
00:20:47,747 --> 00:20:49,046
That is correct.
488
00:20:49,082 --> 00:20:52,549
And you're familiar
with the munitions
explosion
489
00:20:52,585 --> 00:20:54,318
at Port Chicago
in 1944?
490
00:20:54,353 --> 00:20:56,921
I've worked extensively
on the legal history
491
00:20:56,956 --> 00:20:59,857
here at the Naval
Historical Center
in Washington.
492
00:20:59,892 --> 00:21:01,959
Can you tell us
what happened, sir?
493
00:21:01,994 --> 00:21:04,061
No, and no one can.
494
00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:06,697
Any evidence
was obliterated
by the blast.
495
00:21:06,732 --> 00:21:09,317
SINGER:
What about the Court
of Inquiry findings?
496
00:21:09,352 --> 00:21:11,786
The most likely
contributing factor
497
00:21:11,821 --> 00:21:15,472
was rough handling
of the ammunition by the seamen.
498
00:21:15,507 --> 00:21:18,042
SINGER:
And the rumors of
unsafe conditions?
499
00:21:18,077 --> 00:21:20,161
SHAW:
Remain just that--
verbal accounts
500
00:21:20,196 --> 00:21:21,928
but there is no
definitive proof.
501
00:21:21,964 --> 00:21:23,647
SINGER:
Do you believe
that the sailors
502
00:21:23,682 --> 00:21:26,650
who refused to return to work
were disobeying orders, Captain?
503
00:21:26,685 --> 00:21:28,586
Yes, I do.
And do you believe
504
00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:31,088
that, based on evidence,
that this was a case of mutiny?
505
00:21:31,123 --> 00:21:34,342
I think it meets the standard.
506
00:21:34,377 --> 00:21:36,377
SINGER:
Thank you, sir.
507
00:21:38,714 --> 00:21:42,583
Captain, the accused didn't try
to take over a ship
508
00:21:42,618 --> 00:21:46,053
or seize power,
yet you consider this mutiny?
509
00:21:46,088 --> 00:21:49,222
Well, there was evidence
of a conspiracy at the time.
510
00:21:49,258 --> 00:21:51,192
Marine guards observed a meeting
511
00:21:51,227 --> 00:21:54,528
at the temporary brig
where the men were held.
512
00:21:54,563 --> 00:21:55,529
Huh. They observed.
513
00:21:55,564 --> 00:21:56,696
I see.
514
00:21:56,732 --> 00:21:59,533
You also refer to verbal
accounts of unsafe conditions
515
00:21:59,568 --> 00:22:01,786
but no concrete proof.
516
00:22:01,821 --> 00:22:03,821
Are you aware
that the Court Director
517
00:22:03,856 --> 00:22:07,124
delivered a warning to the Navy
months before the incident?
518
00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:08,793
"Conditions are bad up there.
519
00:22:08,828 --> 00:22:11,628
"If you're not careful,
something's going to happen
520
00:22:11,664 --> 00:22:13,831
and you'll be held responsible
for it."
521
00:22:13,866 --> 00:22:15,399
That is in the
court record.
522
00:22:15,434 --> 00:22:17,334
It's one man's
opinion, Commander.
523
00:22:17,369 --> 00:22:20,237
Well, isn't it true that
the majority of the mutineers
524
00:22:20,273 --> 00:22:22,673
including Mr. McBride,
were willing to return
525
00:22:22,708 --> 00:22:24,925
as soon as safety concerns
were addressed?
526
00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:27,928
That is what they said.
527
00:22:27,963 --> 00:22:32,549
By strict definition, sir, is
that refusal to obey an order?
528
00:22:32,584 --> 00:22:36,804
Not when you put it
like that, no.
529
00:22:38,941 --> 00:22:40,941
Thank you, Captain.
530
00:22:42,628 --> 00:22:43,927
Hey-hey,
haven't seen you
531
00:22:43,962 --> 00:22:46,630
with this much
head of steam
since the Jagathon.
532
00:22:46,665 --> 00:22:47,631
Don't ask.
533
00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:48,965
Team Singer
not going well?
534
00:22:49,001 --> 00:22:50,800
I can't stand it, Harm.
535
00:22:50,836 --> 00:22:51,801
Take it easy.
536
00:22:51,837 --> 00:22:52,787
I'm trying,
537
00:22:52,822 --> 00:22:54,554
but it's hard
to sit and watch
538
00:22:54,590 --> 00:22:55,823
while Singer presides
539
00:22:55,858 --> 00:22:58,008
over a train wreck
in the courtroom.
540
00:22:58,043 --> 00:23:01,311
Sir, about that house
that we saw the other day?
541
00:23:01,346 --> 00:23:02,312
Yeah?
542
00:23:02,347 --> 00:23:04,815
I think I've figured out
a way we can swing it.
543
00:23:04,850 --> 00:23:06,149
Really?
544
00:23:06,184 --> 00:23:09,152
I've asked my
dad for a loan.
545
00:23:09,187 --> 00:23:10,754
And Bud's okay
with that?
546
00:23:10,789 --> 00:23:12,289
He will be okay with it, sir
547
00:23:12,325 --> 00:23:14,358
when he sees how perfect
the house is.
548
00:23:14,393 --> 00:23:16,827
Oh, he'll just forget
all about the male-ego thing
549
00:23:16,863 --> 00:23:19,647
of wanting to make it on
his own, look after his family?
550
00:23:19,682 --> 00:23:21,949
I'll make him
forget about it, sir.
551
00:23:21,984 --> 00:23:22,950
(chuckles)
552
00:23:22,985 --> 00:23:23,951
Bad idea.
553
00:23:23,986 --> 00:23:25,119
I know, sir,
554
00:23:25,154 --> 00:23:26,853
but I also know
that I really want
555
00:23:26,888 --> 00:23:28,155
to try and buy this house
556
00:23:28,190 --> 00:23:29,990
and I need someone
who knows the law
557
00:23:30,025 --> 00:23:31,458
who knows what he's doing...
558
00:23:31,494 --> 00:23:33,444
Bud gave me general
power of attorney.
559
00:23:33,479 --> 00:23:36,079
It doesn't feel right, Harriet.
560
00:23:36,115 --> 00:23:37,281
What if I make
561
00:23:37,316 --> 00:23:38,515
a terrible mistake, sir?
562
00:23:38,551 --> 00:23:40,217
How will you feel about it then?
563
00:23:40,252 --> 00:23:41,384
Wow.
564
00:23:41,420 --> 00:23:43,553
You been hanging out
with Lieutenant Singer?
565
00:23:43,589 --> 00:23:44,638
No, sir.
566
00:23:44,673 --> 00:23:49,209
Sir, it's just because I really,
really want this.
567
00:23:52,782 --> 00:23:53,947
(sighs)
568
00:23:53,982 --> 00:23:55,483
All right, Harriet.
569
00:23:55,518 --> 00:23:58,319
I'm going to help you
but on one condition--
570
00:23:58,354 --> 00:23:59,904
that you tell Bud.
571
00:23:59,939 --> 00:24:01,571
Yes, sir.
572
00:24:01,607 --> 00:24:03,324
I promise, sir.
573
00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:04,825
Thank you, sir.
574
00:24:04,860 --> 00:24:05,826
All right.
575
00:24:05,861 --> 00:24:07,411
STURGIS:
So how's your book coming?
576
00:24:07,446 --> 00:24:10,614
I start out writing
the memoirs of
a Navy chaplain,
577
00:24:10,649 --> 00:24:13,483
find myself penning a
history of the service.
578
00:24:13,519 --> 00:24:15,585
Where's that
girlfriend of yours?
579
00:24:15,621 --> 00:24:19,089
She's on the campaign trail,
and we're just friends, Dad.
580
00:24:19,125 --> 00:24:20,757
Don't wait
too long, son.
581
00:24:20,793 --> 00:24:24,261
Thanks for showing up in court
to support Chief McBride.
582
00:24:24,297 --> 00:24:26,797
He's not the only one
I was supporting.
583
00:24:32,855 --> 00:24:34,855
The Chief told me
how you two met.
584
00:24:34,891 --> 00:24:36,790
I'd forgotten you were excluded
585
00:24:36,825 --> 00:24:39,026
from the "O" Club
even after the war.
586
00:24:39,061 --> 00:24:40,293
Mm-hmm.
587
00:24:40,329 --> 00:24:42,062
You and I have
never really talked
588
00:24:42,097 --> 00:24:43,230
about back then, Dad.
589
00:24:43,265 --> 00:24:45,349
That's because it
was back then.
590
00:24:45,384 --> 00:24:46,883
What else don't I know?
591
00:24:46,919 --> 00:24:48,685
Well, times
were different.
592
00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:50,687
We had to swallow our pride.
593
00:24:50,722 --> 00:24:53,223
In '48, they sent me
to Great Lakes.
594
00:24:53,259 --> 00:24:57,244
First day, instead of putting me
in the Chaplain's Office,
595
00:24:57,279 --> 00:25:00,297
they put me in the
steward's barracks.
596
00:25:00,332 --> 00:25:04,284
"Negro chaplains are for Negro
sailors," an officer told me.
597
00:25:06,355 --> 00:25:09,089
Great Lakes is where you
met Mom, though, huh?
598
00:25:09,124 --> 00:25:10,090
Yeah.
599
00:25:10,125 --> 00:25:11,625
She said, "If I marry you,
600
00:25:11,660 --> 00:25:14,227
"tell me I won't be
boxing up CARE packages
601
00:25:14,262 --> 00:25:16,029
to send to the Indian Ocean."
602
00:25:16,065 --> 00:25:18,715
I told her, "Black sailors
don't go to sea."
603
00:25:18,750 --> 00:25:22,052
Next thing you know,
you're on a ship in the Med.
604
00:25:22,087 --> 00:25:23,387
(chuckling)
605
00:25:23,422 --> 00:25:26,774
When I got back, my first
assignment was Pendleton.
606
00:25:26,809 --> 00:25:31,979
I remember a Marine Colonel
wrote in my Fitrep
607
00:25:32,014 --> 00:25:35,249
"He's a remarkable preacher.
608
00:25:35,284 --> 00:25:38,402
What's more, he's a Negro."
609
00:25:38,437 --> 00:25:41,672
S-So hard to hear.
610
00:25:41,707 --> 00:25:43,874
Your generation's
been through things
611
00:25:43,909 --> 00:25:46,076
my generation's
only read about, Dad.
612
00:25:46,111 --> 00:25:48,245
Things have changed, Sturgis.
613
00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:50,047
You've got a tough case.
614
00:25:50,082 --> 00:25:51,549
A man defied orders.
615
00:25:51,584 --> 00:25:55,886
Looking at the facts, color-
blind, and out of that context
616
00:25:55,922 --> 00:26:00,024
could be that all a court-
martial sees is a guilty man.
617
00:26:00,059 --> 00:26:03,811
MacKENZIE:
Mr. Platt, you oversaw the loading
618
00:26:03,846 --> 00:26:05,478
of ammunitions
at Port Chicago?
619
00:26:05,514 --> 00:26:06,763
Yes, I was
a Lieutenant
620
00:26:06,798 --> 00:26:10,367
in the 4th Division--
621
00:26:10,402 --> 00:26:11,701
Seaman McBride's unit.
622
00:26:11,737 --> 00:26:14,337
What happened on the day
of August 9, 1944?
623
00:26:14,373 --> 00:26:16,273
Well, that was
about three weeks
624
00:26:16,308 --> 00:26:17,841
after the explosion.
625
00:26:17,876 --> 00:26:20,794
Uh, we were reassigned
to loading ammo
626
00:26:20,829 --> 00:26:21,861
at Mare Island.
627
00:26:21,897 --> 00:26:23,497
I, um, marched the men
628
00:26:23,532 --> 00:26:25,299
down to the water.
629
00:26:25,334 --> 00:26:27,033
Was Seaman McBride there?
630
00:26:27,068 --> 00:26:29,286
Yes, McBride was
calling cadence.
631
00:26:29,321 --> 00:26:31,388
We came to the juncture
in the road.
632
00:26:31,423 --> 00:26:33,090
On the right was
the parade ground.
633
00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:35,843
On the left was the ferry,
which was waiting to take us
634
00:26:35,878 --> 00:26:37,845
to the ammunition
loading pier.
635
00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:39,463
What happened then?
636
00:26:39,498 --> 00:26:42,533
PLATT:
Forward... march.
637
00:26:42,568 --> 00:26:47,137
Left, left, left, right, left.
638
00:26:47,172 --> 00:26:50,324
Left, left,
left, right, left.
639
00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:52,726
Column left.
640
00:26:54,863 --> 00:26:56,830
I said, "Column left."
641
00:26:56,865 --> 00:26:59,098
Are you men
hard of hearing?
642
00:26:59,134 --> 00:27:02,152
I said, "Forward march.
Column left."
643
00:27:02,187 --> 00:27:05,489
Seaman McBride,
front and center.
644
00:27:05,524 --> 00:27:07,007
Yes, sir.
645
00:27:07,042 --> 00:27:08,492
You got a problem, seaman?
646
00:27:08,527 --> 00:27:10,761
I'm not loading
ammunition, sir.
647
00:27:10,796 --> 00:27:12,496
You care to
tell me why?
648
00:27:12,531 --> 00:27:13,864
I'm afraid, sir.
649
00:27:13,899 --> 00:27:15,049
It's not safe.
650
00:27:15,084 --> 00:27:18,185
If McBride's not going,
I'm going either, sir.
651
00:27:19,555 --> 00:27:21,338
I'm afraid, too,
Lieutenant.
652
00:27:21,373 --> 00:27:24,341
MacKENZIE:
Were you afraid, Mr. Platt?
653
00:27:24,376 --> 00:27:26,843
A lot of officers
and friends died.
654
00:27:26,878 --> 00:27:29,196
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.
655
00:27:29,231 --> 00:27:31,348
Yet, you chose to go back.
656
00:27:31,383 --> 00:27:33,550
Well, I... That is we...
we had a job to do.
657
00:27:33,585 --> 00:27:34,535
There were...
658
00:27:34,570 --> 00:27:36,336
There was a
war going on
659
00:27:36,371 --> 00:27:38,122
and, uh, men
were dying
660
00:27:38,157 --> 00:27:41,125
on islands all over the Pacific,
thousands of them.
661
00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,427
Did you consider
that the conditions
662
00:27:43,462 --> 00:27:45,546
loading ammunitions,
were unsafe?
663
00:27:45,581 --> 00:27:48,632
Well, when you're talking
about explosives,
664
00:27:48,667 --> 00:27:50,801
there's a risk,
but...
665
00:27:50,836 --> 00:27:54,922
there were many more-hazardous
assignments in the Navy in '44.
666
00:27:54,957 --> 00:27:56,890
Thank you, Mr. Platt.
667
00:27:59,628 --> 00:28:04,765
Mr. Platt, on what basis did you
calculate your risk assessment?
668
00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:06,767
Assurances by my superiors.
669
00:28:06,802 --> 00:28:10,270
Who told you there were
no fuses in those bombs.
670
00:28:10,305 --> 00:28:11,488
That's right.
671
00:28:11,523 --> 00:28:13,991
That wasn't true
of all ordnance?
672
00:28:14,026 --> 00:28:18,495
Well, there were
exceptions-- incendiary
bombs, some mines.
673
00:28:18,530 --> 00:28:21,764
Generally, they received
special handling.
674
00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:23,751
"Generally"?
675
00:28:23,786 --> 00:28:26,620
The pace was so frenetic, it
was hard to control everything.
676
00:28:26,655 --> 00:28:29,590
Why a frenetic pace
with explosives, sir?
677
00:28:29,625 --> 00:28:33,127
We were trying to load those
ships as fast as possible.
678
00:28:33,162 --> 00:28:36,013
Were you aware that there was
betting among the officers
679
00:28:36,048 --> 00:28:37,780
to see whose men
could load the most tons
680
00:28:37,816 --> 00:28:38,766
in the shortest time?
681
00:28:38,801 --> 00:28:39,767
Objection.
Relevance?
682
00:28:39,802 --> 00:28:41,602
STURGIS:
I'm getting there,
Your Honor.
683
00:28:41,637 --> 00:28:42,903
I'll allow it.
684
00:28:44,389 --> 00:28:45,688
There was betting.
685
00:28:45,724 --> 00:28:47,023
That's true.
686
00:28:47,059 --> 00:28:49,525
It was in the spirit
of competition.
687
00:28:49,561 --> 00:28:52,229
Weren't you concerned
that this competition
688
00:28:52,264 --> 00:28:54,615
might sacrifice safety
for speed, sir?
689
00:28:54,650 --> 00:28:56,617
PLATT:
It didn't occur
to me at the time.
690
00:28:56,652 --> 00:28:58,619
TURNER:
Isn't it true that
a Coast Guard detail
691
00:28:58,654 --> 00:29:00,120
was withdrawn from the port
692
00:29:00,155 --> 00:29:02,606
due to what they deemed
"unsafe conditions"?
693
00:29:02,641 --> 00:29:04,658
Yes, that happened.
694
00:29:04,693 --> 00:29:06,793
We know that the seamen
were accused
695
00:29:06,828 --> 00:29:08,828
of rough handling
after the blast.
696
00:29:08,864 --> 00:29:09,963
Were the men given
697
00:29:09,998 --> 00:29:12,065
any new training
or instruction?
698
00:29:12,100 --> 00:29:13,801
Not that I know of, no.
699
00:29:13,836 --> 00:29:16,603
Were any changes implemented
700
00:29:16,638 --> 00:29:19,606
after the explosion,
Mr. Platt?
701
00:29:19,641 --> 00:29:23,727
The men were
issued... gloves.
702
00:29:23,762 --> 00:29:26,547
STURGIS:
Thank you, Mr. Platt.
703
00:29:28,684 --> 00:29:29,916
Redirect, Your Honor.
704
00:29:29,952 --> 00:29:31,151
Go ahead,
Lieutenant.
705
00:29:31,186 --> 00:29:32,485
If competition resulted
706
00:29:32,521 --> 00:29:35,155
in getting munitions
to our fighting men faster
707
00:29:35,190 --> 00:29:37,974
wouldn't you say competition
was a healthy thing?
708
00:29:38,009 --> 00:29:41,061
Healthy for the war effort,
yes...
709
00:29:44,616 --> 00:29:48,252
...but, in retrospect,
it wasn't healthy
710
00:29:48,287 --> 00:29:51,588
for the 320 men,
both black and white,
711
00:29:51,623 --> 00:29:54,591
who died at Port Chicago.
712
00:29:54,626 --> 00:29:57,594
MacKENZIE:
Good lesson this morning, Lieutenant.
713
00:29:57,629 --> 00:30:00,063
Never ask a question
unless you know the answer.
714
00:30:00,099 --> 00:30:01,364
I knew the answer, ma'am.
715
00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:04,334
I just didn't expect
our witness to turn
into such a wimp.
716
00:30:04,369 --> 00:30:07,337
Lieutenant, the request you sent
to the Naval Historical Center.
717
00:30:07,372 --> 00:30:08,555
You got something, ma'am.
718
00:30:08,590 --> 00:30:10,390
What is it,
Lieutenant?
719
00:30:10,426 --> 00:30:12,625
Just drew a
new card, ma'am.
720
00:30:14,729 --> 00:30:16,029
Mr. Gant
721
00:30:16,064 --> 00:30:18,932
you were a non-commissioned
officer at Port Chicago?
722
00:30:18,967 --> 00:30:20,567
Assigned to the
4th Division.
723
00:30:20,602 --> 00:30:22,736
Did you have any dealings
with Seaman McBride?
724
00:30:22,771 --> 00:30:25,872
GANT:
A month before the blast,
I received a petition
725
00:30:25,907 --> 00:30:28,525
signed by him and several
of the other men.
726
00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:31,361
I forwarded it to the Base C.O.
727
00:30:31,396 --> 00:30:34,214
Your Honor, this is
a copy of that petition.
728
00:30:34,249 --> 00:30:37,301
The Naval Historical
Center found it in
a search yesterday.
729
00:30:37,336 --> 00:30:40,971
Mr. Gant, please read the
highlighted portions for us.
730
00:30:47,012 --> 00:30:49,980
"The undersigned do hereby
protest conditions
731
00:30:50,015 --> 00:30:51,647
"at Port Chicago.
732
00:30:51,683 --> 00:30:55,085
"We ask the Navy to review
unfair labor practices
733
00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:58,054
"and the unjust treatment
of Negro seamen.
734
00:30:58,089 --> 00:31:00,724
"To quote Mr. Roosevelt
735
00:31:00,759 --> 00:31:03,493
"'We, the Negro sailors
of Port Chicago
736
00:31:03,528 --> 00:31:06,062
are waiting
for a New Deal.'"
737
00:31:06,097 --> 00:31:08,064
Thank you.
738
00:31:08,099 --> 00:31:11,251
Was this the only time
that Seaman McBride
739
00:31:11,286 --> 00:31:13,754
expressed his dissatisfaction
to you?
740
00:31:13,789 --> 00:31:16,089
He griped to me after the blast.
741
00:31:16,125 --> 00:31:19,592
I was guarding him
and the other men in the brig.
742
00:31:24,532 --> 00:31:26,366
You may be
on that side, boss,
743
00:31:26,401 --> 00:31:28,418
but we're all
on the same side.
744
00:31:28,453 --> 00:31:30,553
How do you figure
that, Seaman?
745
00:31:30,589 --> 00:31:31,855
The Navy's racist.
746
00:31:31,890 --> 00:31:34,358
They look at you and me
as mules for hauling.
747
00:31:34,393 --> 00:31:36,092
The world's not
perfect, sailor
748
00:31:36,127 --> 00:31:37,594
but it would be
a lot worse
749
00:31:37,629 --> 00:31:39,863
if the Germans or
Japanese won this war.
750
00:31:39,898 --> 00:31:42,432
Hitler and Tojo
never called me "boy."
751
00:31:42,467 --> 00:31:44,785
Those are treasonous words,
seaman.
752
00:31:44,820 --> 00:31:45,786
Just words.
753
00:31:45,821 --> 00:31:46,787
I tell you this much--
754
00:31:46,822 --> 00:31:48,621
no matter what the Navy
threatens us with
755
00:31:48,657 --> 00:31:49,623
we're not going back.
756
00:31:49,658 --> 00:31:51,191
And that's mutiny.
757
00:31:56,331 --> 00:31:59,866
Mr. Gant, why did you
come here to testify
758
00:31:59,902 --> 00:32:01,802
after all these years?
759
00:32:01,837 --> 00:32:05,138
I didn't agree with
what McBride and
the others did.
760
00:32:05,173 --> 00:32:06,640
SINGER:
And why was that?
761
00:32:06,675 --> 00:32:09,309
I didn't like
segregation any
more than them,
762
00:32:09,344 --> 00:32:11,477
but we were at war.
763
00:32:11,513 --> 00:32:14,631
My country, right or wrong.
764
00:32:14,666 --> 00:32:16,232
Thank you, Mr. Gant.
765
00:32:16,267 --> 00:32:18,802
Your Honor,
the government rests.
766
00:32:18,837 --> 00:32:20,320
Your witness, Commander.
767
00:32:20,355 --> 00:32:23,290
I have no questions,
Your Honor.
768
00:32:31,550 --> 00:32:32,849
ANNOUNCER (on video):
Port Chicago--
769
00:32:32,885 --> 00:32:35,118
where the worst stateside
accident of the present war
770
00:32:35,153 --> 00:32:36,553
wreaked destruction.
771
00:32:36,588 --> 00:32:38,722
In the bay is the wreckage
772
00:32:38,757 --> 00:32:40,023
of the munitions ships
that blew up.
773
00:32:40,058 --> 00:32:43,993
Nothing left,
save twisted steel.
774
00:32:44,029 --> 00:32:46,730
The pier is a scene of ruin
caused by the awesome blast
775
00:32:46,765 --> 00:32:50,133
that broke windows
50 miles away.
776
00:32:50,168 --> 00:32:52,869
Here, a steel fragment of
one ship was hurled two miles
777
00:32:52,905 --> 00:32:56,005
and driven into the pavement...
Watching movies
at the office, huh?
778
00:32:56,041 --> 00:32:59,275
You know that
an Army Air Corps plane
779
00:32:59,311 --> 00:33:01,177
flying over the blast
at the time
780
00:33:01,212 --> 00:33:03,212
witnessed white-hot
chunks of metal
781
00:33:03,248 --> 00:33:05,248
the size of a garage
flying by them
782
00:33:05,283 --> 00:33:07,317
and they were at
9,000 feet.
783
00:33:07,352 --> 00:33:10,019
Still the history buff,
huh, Sturgis?
784
00:33:11,557 --> 00:33:13,289
You're in a good mood.
785
00:33:13,325 --> 00:33:14,858
I'm buying a house.
786
00:33:14,893 --> 00:33:16,860
What?
787
00:33:16,895 --> 00:33:18,495
I'll tell you later.
It's a long story.
788
00:33:18,530 --> 00:33:19,496
How's the case going?
789
00:33:19,531 --> 00:33:20,580
Prosecution's
last witness
790
00:33:20,615 --> 00:33:22,082
just branded my client
791
00:33:22,117 --> 00:33:25,018
a militant traitor
to his country.
792
00:33:25,053 --> 00:33:27,254
Other than that,
I'm doing great.
793
00:33:27,289 --> 00:33:28,755
You want to discuss it?
794
00:33:28,790 --> 00:33:30,991
My father warned me,
if you remove the context,
795
00:33:31,026 --> 00:33:33,026
you got a man guilty of
disobeying orders.
796
00:33:33,061 --> 00:33:34,327
I might even lose on mutiny.
797
00:33:34,363 --> 00:33:36,696
Singer's played it smart,
sticking to the facts.
798
00:33:36,731 --> 00:33:40,216
You can't let Singer choose
the field of play, Sturgis.
799
00:33:40,251 --> 00:33:42,785
I let my heart
lead my head
this time, man.
800
00:33:42,821 --> 00:33:45,338
I should have told McBride to
just take the SECNAV's offer.
801
00:33:45,374 --> 00:33:46,623
You know, emotions
802
00:33:46,658 --> 00:33:48,208
aren't always such a bad thing.
803
00:33:48,243 --> 00:33:50,009
Sometimes you should
listen to them.
804
00:33:50,045 --> 00:33:51,578
What's your heart telling you?
805
00:33:51,613 --> 00:33:54,514
That an old man who wanted
to serve his country
806
00:33:54,549 --> 00:33:55,932
got a raw deal.
807
00:33:55,967 --> 00:33:56,950
Injustice.
808
00:33:56,985 --> 00:33:58,151
That's right.
Why?
809
00:33:58,186 --> 00:33:59,719
Racism.
810
00:33:59,755 --> 00:34:01,170
There's your argument.
811
00:34:01,206 --> 00:34:02,439
Racism.
812
00:34:02,474 --> 00:34:04,140
You need to make Singer
deal with it.
813
00:34:04,176 --> 00:34:06,559
It's not a legal argument.
814
00:34:06,594 --> 00:34:08,227
Make it
a legal argument.
How?
815
00:34:08,263 --> 00:34:10,079
Singer brought in an historian.
816
00:34:10,114 --> 00:34:13,149
You need to bring in someone
who can paint a picture
817
00:34:13,184 --> 00:34:15,601
of how life was
for the black man in 1944.
818
00:34:15,637 --> 00:34:18,471
Now, you must know
someone who can do that.
819
00:34:18,506 --> 00:34:20,307
STURGIS:
Chaplain Turner...
820
00:34:20,342 --> 00:34:22,842
you entered the Navy in 1944?
821
00:34:22,877 --> 00:34:25,511
After I got out
of the seminary.
822
00:34:25,547 --> 00:34:26,913
What was the situation
823
00:34:26,949 --> 00:34:28,681
for African-Americans
in the Navy?
824
00:34:28,716 --> 00:34:32,485
It was separate and unequal.
825
00:34:32,520 --> 00:34:36,539
At that time, there were
150,000 black sailors,
826
00:34:36,575 --> 00:34:38,708
all trained,
827
00:34:38,743 --> 00:34:40,443
ready to fight,
828
00:34:40,478 --> 00:34:44,180
but aside from
a few rare exceptions,
829
00:34:44,216 --> 00:34:46,182
the Navy wouldn't let them.
830
00:34:46,218 --> 00:34:48,801
You knew the accused
when he was in the Navy,
is that right?
831
00:34:48,837 --> 00:34:51,805
Yes, we met in '48.
832
00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:54,240
Seaman McBride had returned
to Great Lakes
833
00:34:54,275 --> 00:34:56,008
to go to gunnery school.
834
00:34:56,044 --> 00:34:57,677
How did you find
the seaman?
835
00:34:57,712 --> 00:35:00,663
Headstrong,
but a good young man.
836
00:35:00,698 --> 00:35:02,682
Given the context of the times,
837
00:35:02,717 --> 00:35:05,252
would you consider
the Chief's refusal
838
00:35:05,287 --> 00:35:09,205
to go back to loading munitions
at Port Chicago justified?
839
00:35:09,241 --> 00:35:11,825
The Navy's struggle
with civil rights
840
00:35:11,860 --> 00:35:14,194
has mirrored that
of our country.
841
00:35:14,229 --> 00:35:17,697
The Navy took a lead in
desegregation after the war
842
00:35:17,732 --> 00:35:23,302
because of protest by men
like Aubrey McBride.
843
00:35:23,338 --> 00:35:28,074
The Chief was only
asking to be treated
like everyone else--
844
00:35:28,110 --> 00:35:29,992
no more, no less.
845
00:35:30,028 --> 00:35:32,596
Yes, I think he was justified
846
00:35:32,631 --> 00:35:35,215
in asking for the same
opportunity to serve
847
00:35:35,250 --> 00:35:40,220
and, if necessary...
die for his country.
848
00:35:40,255 --> 00:35:42,688
Thank you, Chaplain Turner.
849
00:35:46,077 --> 00:35:47,727
Lieutenant.
850
00:35:51,817 --> 00:35:53,783
Your Honor,
I have no more...
851
00:35:53,819 --> 00:35:55,184
One question, Your Honor.
852
00:35:56,588 --> 00:35:58,454
Go ahead, Colonel.
853
00:35:58,490 --> 00:36:00,156
Chaplain,
if you had been there
854
00:36:00,192 --> 00:36:02,758
that day at Port Chicago,
as a superior officer,
855
00:36:02,794 --> 00:36:05,278
what would you have told
Seaman McBride to do?
856
00:36:12,737 --> 00:36:15,388
I'd have told him
to go back to work.
857
00:36:15,424 --> 00:36:17,273
Why, sir?
858
00:36:17,309 --> 00:36:19,926
Because it was an order.
859
00:36:19,961 --> 00:36:22,195
Thank you,
Chaplain Turner.
860
00:36:24,832 --> 00:36:27,366
RABB:
Everything seems in order, Harriet.
861
00:36:27,402 --> 00:36:28,952
It's pretty
straightforward.
862
00:36:28,987 --> 00:36:30,219
Maybe to you, sir.
863
00:36:30,254 --> 00:36:31,488
To me, it's Greek.
864
00:36:31,523 --> 00:36:32,822
I can't thank you enough.
865
00:36:32,858 --> 00:36:34,858
MACKENZIE:
Finally get
that fridge fixed?
866
00:36:34,893 --> 00:36:36,409
I'm working on it.
867
00:36:36,445 --> 00:36:38,778
I need to ask you both
a question.
868
00:36:38,813 --> 00:36:40,947
If you murder cocounsel
in the courtroom,
869
00:36:40,982 --> 00:36:42,615
can you cop an insanity plea?
870
00:36:42,650 --> 00:36:43,799
Absolutely.
Yes.
871
00:36:43,835 --> 00:36:44,784
I thought so.
872
00:36:44,819 --> 00:36:46,519
You and Bud bought
that house?
873
00:36:46,554 --> 00:36:48,054
Set to close
in 30 days, ma'am.
874
00:36:48,089 --> 00:36:49,855
Bud must be
so psyched.
875
00:36:49,891 --> 00:36:51,391
What did he say?
876
00:36:54,462 --> 00:36:56,729
He does know,
doesn't he?
877
00:36:56,764 --> 00:36:57,964
Harriet?
878
00:36:57,999 --> 00:37:01,250
I may have been
a little unspecific.
879
00:37:01,286 --> 00:37:03,286
About buying a house?
880
00:37:03,321 --> 00:37:04,337
And you helped.
881
00:37:04,373 --> 00:37:05,772
What were you thinking?
882
00:37:05,807 --> 00:37:09,091
That his approval went
with his power of attorney.
883
00:37:10,979 --> 00:37:12,646
I'm so sorry, sir.
884
00:37:12,681 --> 00:37:14,648
I-I should
have told him.
885
00:37:14,683 --> 00:37:16,650
I was gonna...
886
00:37:16,685 --> 00:37:19,969
Uh, sir, uh,
887
00:37:20,004 --> 00:37:22,538
if you don't want to continue
giving me legal advice...
888
00:37:22,574 --> 00:37:23,906
I have advice for you, Harriet.
889
00:37:23,941 --> 00:37:25,058
It's just not legal.
890
00:37:28,263 --> 00:37:30,163
What are you doing
with Bud's stuff?
891
00:37:30,198 --> 00:37:31,680
Getting it
out of my office.
892
00:37:31,716 --> 00:37:32,948
Your office?
893
00:37:32,984 --> 00:37:34,850
The Admiral gave it to me.
Didn't he tell you?
894
00:37:34,886 --> 00:37:37,403
No.
I'm sure he'll
get around to it.
895
00:37:37,439 --> 00:37:39,706
In the meantime, what do you
want me to do with this junk?
896
00:37:43,745 --> 00:37:45,628
Chief, when you
volunteered for the Navy,
897
00:37:45,664 --> 00:37:46,996
what were your
expectations?
898
00:37:47,031 --> 00:37:50,667
The recruiter said, "White boys
are dying in the Pacific.
899
00:37:50,702 --> 00:37:53,436
They're going to let
you colored boys fight."
900
00:37:53,472 --> 00:37:56,038
Now, I didn't like
the idea of anybody dying
901
00:37:56,074 --> 00:37:58,307
but I wanted to fight.
902
00:37:58,343 --> 00:38:00,744
And when you got
to Port Chicago?
903
00:38:00,779 --> 00:38:05,314
I thought, "I'm not
going to get killed
in the Pacific.
904
00:38:05,350 --> 00:38:08,485
I'm going to get blown up
in California."
905
00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:10,587
You witnessed
the explosion, Chief?
906
00:38:10,622 --> 00:38:13,256
And I was there the next day.
907
00:38:13,291 --> 00:38:15,825
We were searching for bodies.
908
00:38:15,861 --> 00:38:17,394
It was awful--
909
00:38:17,429 --> 00:38:21,698
just parts, unrecognizable,
white or black.
910
00:38:21,733 --> 00:38:25,351
Looking at that, you realize
we're all the same.
911
00:38:25,387 --> 00:38:27,520
Why didn't you go back to work?
912
00:38:27,555 --> 00:38:29,522
It wasn't safe, sir.
913
00:38:29,557 --> 00:38:31,157
Why?
914
00:38:31,192 --> 00:38:33,342
We were moving too fast.
915
00:38:33,378 --> 00:38:35,778
Men were learning on the job.
916
00:38:35,814 --> 00:38:37,447
I was a winch operator
917
00:38:37,482 --> 00:38:39,665
hoisting bombs
onto the ships.
918
00:38:39,701 --> 00:38:42,819
One day a sailor on deck
shouted up to me
919
00:38:42,854 --> 00:38:44,904
that there was something wrong
with the rig.
920
00:38:44,939 --> 00:38:47,407
Was there a problem, Chief?
921
00:38:47,442 --> 00:38:50,910
The officer on duty
said the rig looked
okay to him, but...
922
00:38:52,797 --> 00:38:55,765
Come on! We're 30 tons
behind, seamen!
923
00:38:55,801 --> 00:38:57,433
Keep it moving!
924
00:38:58,503 --> 00:38:59,602
Let's go!
925
00:39:00,955 --> 00:39:03,139
Look out! It's coming down!
926
00:39:03,175 --> 00:39:05,358
Look out! The bridle broke!
927
00:39:05,394 --> 00:39:06,692
It's going to blow!
928
00:39:08,580 --> 00:39:10,680
Cool it! Calm down!
929
00:39:10,715 --> 00:39:12,515
It's not hot!
930
00:39:12,550 --> 00:39:14,083
God, don't you know
anything?
931
00:39:14,119 --> 00:39:15,785
McBRIDE:
Well, that's just it.
932
00:39:15,821 --> 00:39:17,954
We didn't know anything.
933
00:39:17,989 --> 00:39:20,924
The officers told us
the bombs weren't dangerous
934
00:39:20,959 --> 00:39:24,760
but a lot of them took off
running with the rest of us.
935
00:39:24,796 --> 00:39:27,997
In the brig, you said
you thought the Navy was racist.
936
00:39:28,033 --> 00:39:29,748
Why?
937
00:39:29,784 --> 00:39:32,285
Look at the hand
the Navy dealt us, Commander.
938
00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:36,989
They gave us the menial jobs,
the hazardous jobs.
939
00:39:37,024 --> 00:39:39,041
The Navy based
its mutiny case
940
00:39:39,076 --> 00:39:42,211
on observation of
a meeting held in the brig.
941
00:39:42,247 --> 00:39:44,380
Was this meeting about
planning a mutiny?
942
00:39:44,415 --> 00:39:45,598
No, sir.
943
00:39:45,634 --> 00:39:47,900
It was about obeying orders.
944
00:39:47,936 --> 00:39:49,568
Fights were breaking out
945
00:39:49,604 --> 00:39:51,804
and a bunch of us
told the boys to cool it--
946
00:39:51,839 --> 00:39:54,474
obey the guards.
947
00:39:54,509 --> 00:39:56,709
So you're saying it was
a conspiracy to obey orders?
948
00:39:56,744 --> 00:39:58,211
Objection.
Withdrawn.
949
00:39:58,246 --> 00:40:01,347
Chief, that day that you
refused to return to duty,
950
00:40:01,382 --> 00:40:03,916
did you believe
you were disobeying orders?
951
00:40:03,952 --> 00:40:06,569
We didn't refuse to go back.
952
00:40:06,604 --> 00:40:09,204
We refused to return to
the same conditions
953
00:40:09,240 --> 00:40:10,873
that caused the blast.
954
00:40:10,909 --> 00:40:14,744
We wanted answers
so it wouldn't happen again...
955
00:40:14,779 --> 00:40:17,446
and they gave us gloves.
956
00:40:17,481 --> 00:40:20,132
Thank you, Chief.
957
00:40:22,487 --> 00:40:24,420
Chief, would you have us believe
958
00:40:24,455 --> 00:40:26,890
that there was no talk
in the brig of work stoppage?
959
00:40:26,925 --> 00:40:29,659
I'd be lying if I told you
960
00:40:29,694 --> 00:40:31,778
there were no words
uttered in anger.
961
00:40:31,813 --> 00:40:34,230
And do you acknowledge
that orders were given
to return to work?
962
00:40:34,266 --> 00:40:35,431
Yes, ma'am.
963
00:40:35,467 --> 00:40:37,734
And yet you chose
not to follow them.
964
00:40:37,769 --> 00:40:39,402
That's right, Lieutenant.
965
00:40:39,437 --> 00:40:42,071
Tell me, then, how can we come
to any other conclusion
966
00:40:42,106 --> 00:40:43,789
except that you were
willfully disobeying orders?
967
00:40:45,777 --> 00:40:49,512
Back then, the Navy
didn't see us as fighting men.
968
00:40:49,547 --> 00:40:51,581
It saw the color of our skin
969
00:40:51,616 --> 00:40:54,149
and it saw cheap,
expendable labor.
970
00:40:54,185 --> 00:40:56,719
Discrimination is unlawful.
971
00:40:56,755 --> 00:41:01,173
To me, Lieutenant,
that makes the orders unlawful.
972
00:41:01,209 --> 00:41:02,775
This was 1944, Chief.
973
00:41:02,811 --> 00:41:04,527
The law was different.
974
00:41:04,562 --> 00:41:07,680
The values of the Navy
were still the same.
975
00:41:07,715 --> 00:41:09,081
Same as they are today.
976
00:41:09,117 --> 00:41:10,366
I don't think
we're here
977
00:41:10,401 --> 00:41:12,569
to put the values of the Navy
on trial.
978
00:41:12,604 --> 00:41:14,203
In fact,
I think, Chief,
Lieutenant...
979
00:41:14,239 --> 00:41:15,788
you're here to shame
this institution
980
00:41:15,824 --> 00:41:17,039
into an admission of guilt.
981
00:41:17,074 --> 00:41:18,324
Objection, Your Honor.
982
00:41:18,360 --> 00:41:19,575
Sustained.
983
00:41:19,611 --> 00:41:21,994
Do you have a question,
Lieutenant?
984
00:41:22,029 --> 00:41:23,879
I have an answer,
Your Honor.
985
00:41:23,915 --> 00:41:26,415
JUDGE:
Okay.
986
00:41:26,450 --> 00:41:28,635
Go ahead, Chief McBride.
987
00:41:28,670 --> 00:41:31,337
I'm not here
to shame the Navy.
988
00:41:31,372 --> 00:41:33,706
I served her for 30 years.
989
00:41:33,742 --> 00:41:36,375
I have a grandson
in the Arabian Sea right now
990
00:41:36,411 --> 00:41:38,144
and I'm proud of him.
991
00:41:38,179 --> 00:41:39,846
I love the Navy.
992
00:41:39,881 --> 00:41:41,514
I love my country.
993
00:41:41,550 --> 00:41:43,783
But that doesn't change
the fact that
994
00:41:43,818 --> 00:41:46,686
what happened to me
and 49 other men was wrong.
995
00:41:46,721 --> 00:41:50,924
The Navy teaches responsibility,
and this is one time
996
00:41:50,959 --> 00:41:54,426
the Navy needs to take
that lesson to heart.
997
00:42:00,919 --> 00:42:03,953
The accused and counsel
will rise.
998
00:42:06,524 --> 00:42:08,424
You may publish
your findings.
999
00:42:08,460 --> 00:42:12,111
Chief Petty Officer
Aubrey McBride
1000
00:42:12,146 --> 00:42:14,179
United States Navy,
retired,
1001
00:42:14,215 --> 00:42:16,816
on the charge and
specification of mutiny,
1002
00:42:16,851 --> 00:42:18,751
this court finds you not guilty.
1003
00:42:18,787 --> 00:42:21,987
On the charges
and specifications
of insubordination
1004
00:42:22,022 --> 00:42:23,372
and disobeying orders
1005
00:42:23,407 --> 00:42:26,175
this court finds you
not guilty.
1006
00:42:26,210 --> 00:42:27,910
JUDGE:
This court is dismissed.
1007
00:42:27,946 --> 00:42:29,145
(gavel pounds)
1008
00:42:29,180 --> 00:42:30,312
Thank you, Commander.
1009
00:42:30,348 --> 00:42:31,881
Thank you.
You are welcome, Chief.
1010
00:42:31,916 --> 00:42:33,816
Congratulations, Chief.
1011
00:42:33,852 --> 00:42:36,936
You were right.
He's good.
1012
00:42:36,971 --> 00:42:38,821
Chief McBride,
I think this is a verdict
1013
00:42:38,856 --> 00:42:40,240
we're happy
to live with.
1014
00:42:40,275 --> 00:42:41,974
Congratulations, Chief.
1015
00:42:42,009 --> 00:42:43,559
You fought the good fight.
1016
00:42:43,594 --> 00:42:45,093
You too, Lieutenant.
1017
00:42:47,649 --> 00:42:50,282
Chaplain, I owe you
1018
00:42:50,318 --> 00:42:52,685
but I have one more
favor to ask.
1019
00:42:52,721 --> 00:42:54,220
Name it.
1020
00:42:56,290 --> 00:42:57,389
...and Lord
1021
00:42:57,425 --> 00:42:59,993
may the soul of Randall,
our comrade in arms,
1022
00:43:00,028 --> 00:43:02,829
and the souls of all
the faithfully departed,
1023
00:43:02,864 --> 00:43:05,464
rest in peace. Amen.
1024
00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:07,266
Amen.
1025
00:43:07,301 --> 00:43:08,567
Thank you, Chaplain,
1026
00:43:08,603 --> 00:43:11,104
for helping me to honor
an old friend.
1027
00:43:11,139 --> 00:43:12,771
Don't mention it.
1028
00:43:12,807 --> 00:43:14,440
Randall told me
when his kids
1029
00:43:14,476 --> 00:43:16,709
used to ask him
what he did in the war,
1030
00:43:16,744 --> 00:43:18,578
he'd lie.
1031
00:43:18,613 --> 00:43:21,030
Told them he worked
in a factory.
1032
00:43:21,065 --> 00:43:23,098
The way things were
at Port Chicago
1033
00:43:23,134 --> 00:43:24,967
wasn't that far
from the truth.
1034
00:43:25,003 --> 00:43:27,487
I'm sure there are others
who did the same, Chief.
1035
00:43:27,522 --> 00:43:29,722
I had my day in court,
Commander.
1036
00:43:29,757 --> 00:43:31,324
I'm grateful to you.
1037
00:43:31,359 --> 00:43:34,210
There are 49 others
still waiting.
1038
00:43:34,245 --> 00:43:37,080
You're talking about
an uphill battle, Chief:
1039
00:43:37,115 --> 00:43:38,614
going to Congress.
1040
00:43:38,649 --> 00:43:41,917
What's on your schedule
tomorrow, Commander?
1041
00:43:41,953 --> 00:43:44,320
I suspect I'll be
getting a call
1042
00:43:44,355 --> 00:43:45,921
bright and early, 0800.
1043
00:43:45,957 --> 00:43:47,640
Make that 0900.
1044
00:43:47,675 --> 00:43:49,642
I'm mellowing in my old age.
1045
00:43:49,677 --> 00:43:51,611
(all chuckling)
101019
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