The lack of stevedores for unloading ships in combat zones was creating a problem. The Navy had a huge need for cargo handlers. Within these battalions, they experienced problems that led to the replacement of the officers. Both had white southern officers and black enlisted personnel. Even so, there were just two regular units that were segregated. Two months later, the Navy announced it would enlist African Americans in the Seabees. In February 1942, CNO Admiral Harold Stark recommended African Americans for ratings in the construction trades.
It concluded that black sailors could be used with least conflict in shore and dock installations, aboard local defense vessels, with the construction units (Seabees,) and on selected Coast Guard cutters. On 27 March 1942, the Navy’s General Board stated that they recognized the social and economic problems involved with integration and strove to reconcile these issues with the need for highest level of the fighting efficiency within the Navy. As the war progressed, there was a tremendous need of manpower. In the fall of 1941, there was some discussion about integration of the Navy and opening more rates to African Americans. On the eve of World War II, African Americans continued to serve mostly as messman and stewards.
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