83 years later: ‘Philadelphia 15’ sailors receive national recognition

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It has been more than 80 years since Larry Ponder’s Father and Uncle were wrongfully dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.

John and James Ponder were two of 15 sailors from the USS. Philadelphia, known as the Philadelphia 15. But they were native to the Chattanooga area. Their family lives in the Chattanooga area to this day.

These men wrote a letter to black newspaper outlining racist treatment aboard the warship.

“So they went into the service to be able to have a career because at the time… this was back in 1940. They didn’t.. It wasn’t a lot of opportunities back then. And so, they went into the Navy to have a career. To be able to, you know, have a good livelihood and be able to support their family,” explained Larry Ponder, son of John Ponder.

The Philadelphia 15 wrote this letter to demand change.

“It had a dramatic impact and effect on the desegregation of the military as a whole. This happened in 1940, and this was the case. The civil rights community would be able to go to president Roosevelt and to demand some changes occur in the military,” said Eric Atkins, Co-Chair of the Unity Group.

African Americans who are currently serving, like James and John did, are encouraged to move ahead and not take serving our country lightly.

“Those individuals should be aware that there were people who started out working hard trying to get themselves into a position that they could do better for their family,” said Reverend Ann Pierre of the NAACP.

Just last week, Larry Ponder’s father and the rest of the Philadelphia 15 were honored in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.

They all finally received an honorable discharge and a formal apology from the Navy.

“I’m hoping that the names of those people… And when they see that group picture, along with the names, that someone will recognize their relatives. Some that haven’t come forward,” Larry Ponder said.