Mr. Lorenzo DuFau and the USS Mason
The beautiful gentleman you see above is living history. He was part of the only crew of African-American sailors to take a warship, the USS Mason, into combat during World War II. The Mason's war record included its safe escort of convoys across the Atlantic and its exemplary service in the hunter-killer groups that finally destroyed the German U-Boats that had infested Allied waters. And for its outstanding bravery in guiding an important convoy to port in the thick of a huge storm. It would be nearly 50 years before the men would receive the commendations, (from Pres. Bill Clinton), that the convoy's commander had recommended.
I know Mr. DuFau because the story of the Mason was on the cover of the second issue of American Legacy. I wasn't the editor then, but Mr. DuFau keeps in touch, dropping by the office from time to time, and attending some of our events with his wife. He is a truly sweet gentle man, who, last time he went fishing, and knowing that I love seafood, brought a sea bass that must have been at least 2 to 3 lbs (I cooked it with bay leaves and basil and fennel and lemon and greedily ate the entire fish in one sitting), and a whole mess of porgies to the office. Without getting too sentimental, I relish Mr. DuFau's visits; there is something about his sweet ways that reminds me of my late father.
Lorenzo DuFau smiles deeply when he speaks about Ossie Davis, who plays the older Dufau in a movie about the men of the Mason called Proud. It was Davis's final performance
For more information about the USS Mason, visit www.ussmason.org. Or check out the book Proudly We Served: The Men of the USS Mason, by Mary Pat Kelly (and at here at the NYPL) There is also a PBS documentary of the same title.
The picture above, by artist, photographer, and friend Barry Mason is that of Lorenzo DuFau onboard the newly comissioned destroyer named the USS Mason in honor of the black sailors who manned the original ship.
Comments
The director is my cousins wife and she has done so much for the marines... the day that Mary pat and Mr Dafau wer going to Derry they came for breakfast at my house and he is such nice man and told me the story about the USS masons and it nearly made me cry and i am glad that their work has been recognised.
aware of the history living in elders all around us.
Even on old city buses.
Thanks. I am grateful to be alive and to know that I have been a part of something that helped our country become "one nation under God" and have the chance to vote for President Obama in my lifetime. Give God the glory.
Lorenzo Dufau
Being a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, one of the tasks we appoint ourselves with is keeping the "traditions and history" of the Navy alive for our younger generations as they embark on our path of "serving". While I was acquainted with the story of the Mason and it's crew and had some personal acquaintance with the newest destroyer to bear that name... this movie drove home the beauty of the history behind that original ship and crew.
I am a white male age 51. I have never been able to understand how some people have not been able to grasp the realization that America became the most powerful nation in the world BECAUSE OF A VAST INFLUX OF DIVERSITY provided by absorbing peoples from every nation on earth.
That basic belief has served me well in life... both in terms of being a leader of men in the military... but more importantly in establishing wonderful and meaninful relationships with people of all races on my own personal life. People who just cannot ever wrap their minds around the thought of opening themselves up to others who APPEAR different from themselves on the surface... will never discover there is NO difference between them at all. And perhaps that scares them most. Whatever the reason, they rob themselves of untold opportunities to enrich their own lives.
In the military now days, we are not perfect. Discrimination still exists. There are still closed and narrow minded people and NOT just white. But I am very happy to see the progress we have made just in the 19 years I have been in so far. As long as there are people, I suppose that will never fully go away and mankind will never acheive enough enlightenment to look beyond the surface of someone and take the time to actually KNOW them. I pray I am wrong. Our recent Presidential election at least demonstrates we are finally getting SOMEWHERE.
Proud was a wonderful movie. I am glad I finally got to view it.
Job Well Done to all the men and women with faith in this Nation.
My father was in World War 1. It is hard to find information on that period for Black people. Does anyone has any information