Jefferson, James (Interview outline and video), 2008

Smither, James (Interviewer)

James Jefferson was born in New Jersey on July 13, 1924 and grew up in an integrated community. After high school James joined the Merchant Marines and was trained on Hoffman Island in New York Harbor. He enjoyed the training and did not feel discriminated against there, despite being the only black man in his class. When he signed aboard his first ship, however, he had to deal with a racist chief engineer who tried and failed to keep him off the ship. He describes some of his experiences in sailing around the world during and after World War II.

2008-05-21

Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives

Veterans History Project (U.S.)