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From circa 1951 comes this unlabeled Kodachrome, part of a collection of donated slides that seem to have been taken by a U.S. Navy officer with postings across Pacific, with many photos from Japan, Korea and Hawaii. As well as this shot of shipboard volleyball. View full size.
It is interesting to see that in 1951, only a few short years after the military was integrated by Truman/Eisenhower, these sailors would be playing an integrated game, presumably voluntarily.
The wood deck planks and U-shaped openings in the metal strips are clues that this is an aircraft carrier, and the game likely taking place on an elevator.
My dad was flying in the Korean War, I think at this time (I looked closely but he's not here). He always called bluejeans "dungarees" and always rolled the pant legs up like these fellows did, even when he was over 70. Dungarees were always worn when he was doing any work that had dirt or mud involved, never as casual wear. He only kept one pair at a time and when they wore out he'd buy another one. To be seen in public in ripped or shredded pants was unthinkable.
When you go out there, it's game over.
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