On July 25, 1943, the SS Leonard Roy Harmon was launched in Quincy, Massachusetts. It was a significant moment in history as it was the first warship to be named after an African American. The ship was named in honor of Leonard Roy Harmon, a mess attendant who died heroically during the attack on the USS San Francisco (CA-38) in the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. Harmon was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery. His legacy was honored with the naming of the ship, reflecting the recognition of African Americans’ contributions and sacrifices during World War II.
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