# "THE HIGHEST TRADITION" AFRICAN AMERICANS IN U.S. NAVY IN WWII 1946 DOCUMENTARY 22514

Presented by the Associated Producers of Negro Motion Pictures, produced and directed by African American filmmaker William D. Alexander and narrated by Fredric March, "The Highest Tradition" (1946) tells the story of African Americans participating in WWII. This includes Joseph Cross, Doris "Dorie" Miller, Leonard "Roy" Harmon, Elbert Oliver (who won the silver star), and more. Hampton Institute in Virginia and the Great Lakes facility in Illinois are shown where African Americans were trained for service. African American women who served in the WAVEs are also shown, as are the men in the ordnance battalions. The film particularly focuses on the attack on Pearl Harbor and highlights individual acts of heroism, such as Doris "Dorie" Miller's bravery at Pearl Harbor and the efforts of African American sailors who volunteered in large numbers after the Navy opened up recruitment to them. The narrative emphasizes the diverse range of roles played by sailors, women in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), civilian workers, and those on the front lines, all contributing to the success of the war effort. The Navy's rapid mobilization and the collective sacrifice of its personnel, from shipbuilding to combat, were crucial in securing victory, especially in the Pacific theater. The legacy of these efforts continues to be a proud chapter in American history, with future generations learning from the bravery and unity displayed during this critical time. 00:00…

- Kind: Documentary
- Genres: War, Documentary, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/22514TheHighestTradition)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/22514TheHighestTradition?play=1)