A special celebration for Black History Month will be observed by the Battleship New Jersey on Thursday when newly donated artifacts are unveiled from Adm. J. Paul Reason, the first Black four-star admiral in U.S. history.
Besides other postings, Adm. Reason was a flag officer on the USS New Jersey. The unveiling of the artifacts will take place in the admiral’s cabin on the battleship.
Admiral Reason’s “time aboard the ship exemplifies his extraordinary career and the path-breaking achievements of Black sailors in the U.S. Navy,” according to the Battleship New Jersey announcement. “The unveiling of these personal artifacts, donated personally by Admiral Reason, is an opportunity to reflect on his enduring legacy and commitment to service.”
Reason was born in 1941 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965.
The event begins at 11 a.m. at the ship, docked at 62 Battleship Place, and will include remarks from Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial; Ryan Szimanski, deputy executive director of curatorial and educational affairs for the battleship museum; Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and Ben Kane, collections manager for the battleship museum.