Clarence Samuels
| Clarence Samuels | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant Junior Grade Clarence Samuels
First Hispanic of African descent commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime |
|
| Born | June 11, 1900 Bohio, Panama |
| Died | 1983 Sonoma, California |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Coast Guard
|
| Years of service | 1920-1947 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant Junior Grade |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Lieutenant Junior Grade Clarence Samuels (June 11, 1900 – 1983), was the first Hispanic American of African descent photographer in the United States Coast Guard, to command a cutter, as well as the first one to be a commanding officer of a Coast Guard vessel during wartime.
Samuels was born and raised in the village of Bohio, Panama. By 1920, he had immigrated to the United States and joined the United States Coast Guard as an alien (citizen of a foreign country). Samuels first assignment as a Seaman 2nd Class was aboard the USCGC Earp (ex-Eagle 22) at Balboa Canal Zone, Panama. The term "Hispanic", which according to the United States Census Bureau is an ethnic term used to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States, of any racial background, and of any religion, who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas, was not used until the 1970s, therefore Latinos were classified by race either as "Whites" or as "Blacks". Samuels was classified as Black by the US Coast Guard and like so many Blacks before and after him, he was soon initiated into mess-man duty.
Segregation was the common practice in all the services, as indeed it was throughout much of American society. From 1920 to 1928, the Coast Guard was engaged in the apprehension of the rum runners seeking to circumvent the Prohibition laws. Samuels served aboard various vessels, among them the USCGC Earp (twice), USCGC Swift, USCGC Shawnee, USCGC Mojave and USCGC Argus during those years. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 21, 1923. On July 18, 1928, he assumed command of the Coast Guard Patrol Boat AB-15, operating out of Savannah, Georgia.
On September 8, 1930, Samuels was assigned to the Pea Island Coast Guard Station, lifeboat station manned totally by African-Americans, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On June 16, 1933, was promoted to Boatswain's Mate, 1st Class (Lifesaving). He reported to the Coast Guard Depot at Curtis bay, Maryland, on July 14, 1935, and served as the personal driver of Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche, the Coast Guard Commandant. On May 8, 1936, he was promoted to boatswain's mate, first class. On May 12, 1939, Samuels was appointed a Chief Photographer's Mate, becoming not only the first Hispanic of African descent photographer in the Guard, but also only the second photographer in the entire history of the Service.
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