- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of James "Jack" Lucas
- Creator:
- Taylor, David
Tate, Candy
Lucas, Jack (James), 1933- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2017-11-03
- Subject:
- Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American
Race discrimination--United States
African Americans
United States. Navy. Fleet, 7th
United States. Navy. Underwater Demolition Teams
Association for the Study of African-American Life and History
Pledge (Minesweeper : AM-277)
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Pirate (Minesweeper : AM-275) - People:
- West, Togo D., 1942-
Joy, C. Turner (Charles Turner), 1895-1956
Davis, Benjamin O., Jr., 1912-2002
Davis, Benjamin O., 1880-1970 - Location:
- Japan, Yokosuka-shi, 35.2730564, 139.6653829
United States, California, San Diego County, San Diego, 32.71571, -117.16472
United States, North Carolina, Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, 36.09986, -80.24422 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Jack Lucas recalls his service in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He remembers his growing up years, the child of parents who worked for the R. J. Reynolds Company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He recalls his school coach, Togo D. West Sr., whose son later became the Secretary of the Army. He remembers family members and others who had an influence on his decision to join the Navy at 16 years of age. He comments on the racial attitudes of the time and his perspective as a light-skinned Black man. He describes the first Black Marine Corps officer he encountered and comments on how well the crew of the minesweeper to which he was assigned prepared him for duty. He explains in detail the work minesweepers did and recalls the day his ship was sunk and the long hours he spent in the ocean before his rescue the next day. He remembers some of the injuries the crew experienced during the sinking. He reflects on his military service, his family, and his post-military activities and business career. This interview was conducted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Atlanta Branch.
Task Force 77; minesweeper; Mine Demolition Specialist; segregation; discrimination; "Suicide Navy"; Jim Crow; pollywog; shellback; "Crossing the Line"; Kapok (life vest); Mae West (life vest); gun tub; General Quarters; Becky's One Stop; hospital ship
Jack Lucas served on a United States Navy minesweeping vessel during the Korean War. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/843
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 1:03:52
- Original Collection:
- Veterans History Project oral history recordings
Veterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center - Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
