cers of
similar experience."[9-35]

[Footnote 9-35: "BuPers Hist," p. 85. The quotation
is from Ltr, Chief, NavPers, to CO, USS _Laramie_,
16 Jul 45, BuPersRecs.]

Fechteler's prediction proved accurate. By V-J day, the Navy's black
officers, both line and staff, were serving competently in many
occupations. The bureau reported that the "personnel relationship
aspect" of their introduction into the service had worked well. Black
officers with white petty officers and enlisted men under them handled
their command responsibilities without difficulty, and in general
bureau reports and field inspections noted considerable satisfaction
with their performance.[9-36] But despite this satisfactory record, only
three black officers remained on active duty in 1946. The promise
engendered by the Navy's treatment of its black officers in the
closing months of the war had not been fulfilled during the
demobilization period that followed, and what had been to the civil
rights movement a brightening situation rapidly became an intolerable
one.

[Footnote 9-36: "BuPers Hist," p. 85.]

There were several reasons for the rapid demobilization of black
officers. Some shared the popular desire of reserve officers to return
to civilian life. Among them were mature men with substantial academic
achievements and valuable technical experience. Many resented in
particular their assignment to all-black labor units, and wanted to
resume their civilian careers.[9-37] But a number of black officers,
along with over 29,000 white reservists, did seek commissions in the
Regular Navy.[9-38] Yet not one Negro was granted a regular commission
in the first eighteen months after the war. Lester Granger was
especially upset by these statistics, and in July 1946 he personally
took up the case of two black candidates with Secretary Forrestal.[9-39]

[Footnote 9-37: Nelson "Integration of the Negro," p.
157.]

[Footnote 9-38: ALNAV 252-46, 21 May 46, sub:
Transfer to Regular Navy.]

[Footnote 9-39: Ltr, Granger to SecNav, 31 Jul 46,
54-1-13, Forrestal file, GenRecsNav. One of these
applicants was Nelson, then a lieutenant, who
received a promotion upon assignment as commanding
officer of a logistic support com