On Veterans Day, take a trip to the Tribute Hall located in the Steward Cultural Center of STEM City USA. The Tribute Hall highlights the contributions of Black individuals in the U.S. military and defense sectors. Veterans Day, which is observed every year on November 11, honors the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
STEM City USA has made a significant advancement in enhancing digital interaction and honoring veterans by unveiling a groundbreaking 3D experience at the Tribute Hall Museum, located in the David Steward Multicultural Building on the STEM City USA Metaverse Platform.
This innovative approach to immersive technology is set to transform the Tribute Hall Museum into a lifelike experience, redefining how we engage with and celebrate our Veterans.
This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind on the STEM City USA platform, utilizes advanced 3D technology built on Unity.
“Today, we redefine our tribute to our Veterans through an innovative, immersive, and interactive experience,” said Tyrone Taborn, Creator of STEM City USA. “The 3D adaptation of the Tribute Hall Museum is not merely groundbreaking technology; it symbolizes our unwavering respect and gratitude for those who have served.”
The Tribute Hall is more than just a museum; it is a living celebration of service, bravery, and dedication, now further enhanced by this innovative 3D adaptation.
Additionally, the David Steward Multicultural Building will feature dedicated veterans’ mentoring and networking suites, creating a holistic, immersive, and supportive environment for Veterans to connect, share, and learn.
Furthermore, STEM City USA is currently beta testing a virtual reality (VR) version of the museum, pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences and ensuring that the platform remains at the forefront of digital innovation and STEM education.
The launch of the 3D Tribute Hall Museum marks a significant milestone for the platform, setting a new standard for interactive digital experiences. The future is here. Experience the groundbreaking 3D Tribute Hall Museum and the Veterans’ mentoring and networking suites now at the Tribute Hall.
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates Veterans Day on November 11th, highlighting the often-overlooked sacrifices and contributions of African American veterans.
The museum points out that before the USS Mason, Black men in the Navy were largely restricted to support roles, such as cooks, stewards, and laborers, and had to wear uniforms that distinguished them from other sailors.
The crew of the USS Mason faced significant hostility and doubt, yet they performed their duties—often under dangerous circumstances—with extraordinary bravery and dedication. Their remarkable actions, which included escorting supply ships and intercepting German U-boat messages in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, were documented by African American journalist Thomas W. Young, who was commissioned by the Navy as a war correspondent aboard the Mason.
The story of the USS Mason might have faded into obscurity were it not for the determination of a small group, including the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, the USS Mason Association, Congressman Charles Rangel, and author Mary Pat Kelly.
Kelly’s book, “Proudly We Served,” played a significant role in bringing attention to the crew members of the Mason. In 2004, this book was adapted into the film “Proud,” featuring Ossie Davis in his final role as Signalman Second Class Lorenzo DuFau, the last surviving member of the Mason’s crew.
The courage and commitment of the Mason’s crew helped pave the way for the integration of the armed forces, which was enacted by President Harry S. Truman in 1948.
By challenging the prevailing notions of Black inferiority, the men of the Mason contributed not only to the victory against the Axis powers but also to the fight against racism and discrimination at home. This effort was embodied in the Double V Campaign, which called on African Americans to strive for a victory overseas while simultaneously advocating for equal rights in the United States.
“Navigating the Seven Seas: Leadership Lessons of the First African American Father and Son to Serve at the Top in the U.S. Navy” is written by retired Vice Admiral Melvin G. Williams Jr. and retired Master Chief Melvin G. Williams Sr..
This groundbreaking double biography has been part of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Professional Reading Program since 2012, providing Sailors and Navy personnel with recommended readings to foster both professional and personal growth.
“Navigating the Seven Seas” also made it onto The Washington Post’s “Washington Bestsellers” list. This collection of life lessons from two generations of submarine sailors discusses the highs and lows experienced by a Command Master Chief and a Flag Officer.
The authors share career highlights and challenges from nearly 60 consecutive years of military service in the United States Navy.
The elder Williams joined the Navy during the Korean War in 1951 and served for twenty-seven years before retiring as a Master Chief, a top enlisted rank.
Early in his career, he advocated for improvements that enhanced career progression and promotion opportunities for African Americans, Filipinos, and many other members of the Navy.
His assignments included tours on an aircraft carrier, surface ships, submarines, the presidential yacht with Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, and at the Pentagon, where he led the dining facility for the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.
As Master Chief, Williams provided enlisted advice to senior Navy leaders and initiated efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all who serve in the Navy.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the military, he received the Stars and Stripes Award during theBlack Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference.
In October 2010, Vice Admiral Mel Williams completed his service in the Navy after thirty-two years as an officer.
A 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in mathematics, Williams also earned a master’s degree in engineering from the Catholic University of America.
By 1994, he had achieved the milestone of commanding a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, becoming the first African American to do so in history.
Under his leadership, the crew received a Strategic Performance Award and made history as the first Ohio-class submarine to win the Omaha Trophy for excellence.
Williams’s Navy career included combat operations in Operation Desert Storm, which contributed to the liberation of Kuwait following a siege by Saddam Hussein, as well as initial combat operations in Operation Enduring Freedom—the U.S.-led coalition response after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
He also served as fleet commander for 130 ships and over 90,000 sailors and Marines in the U.S. Second Fleet, holding various leadership positions including submarine group commander, squadron commander, and submarine commander.
Williams is among the trailblazing African Americans to command a Navy submarine within the first 100 years of the Submarine Force.
Williams received the BEYA Professional Achievement award in 1995 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 for his contributions to STEM education.
In 2010, U.S. Air Force General Larry Spencer was honored with the Career Achievement in Government award at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA).
Spencer was recognized for over 30 years of service in the Air Force.
Since retiring in 2015, he has served as the president of the Air Force Association, overseeing staff and managing the organization’s daily operations. He also held the position of publisher for Air Force Magazine, the association’s professional journal.
Spencer’s biography, “Dark Horse,” details his journey to the Pentagon.
Editorial reviews on the Naval Institute Press website include comments from notable figures such as Deborah Lee James, the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force; Gen. Martin Dempsey (Ret.), the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Adm. Mike Mullen, U.S. Navy (Ret.), the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Paul Stillwell, editor of “The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers,” described Spencer’s memoir as instructive, stating, “His vivid prose puts the reader at his side, experiencing events through his eyes. His achievements in overcoming negative peer pressure, low expectations, racial stereotypes, and discrimination can serve as an inspiration for many Americans.”
Spencer was born and raised on the Horseshoe, a challenging inner-city street in southeast Washington, D.C. Both of his parents grew up in the rural South under Jim Crow laws and the “separate but equal” doctrine.
His father was a career Army soldier who lost his left hand during the Korean War, battled post-traumatic stress disorder, and worked two jobs, while his mother, who completed tenth grade, had no driver’s license and was left to care for their six children during the week.
The Horseshoe was known for its tough environment, where fights were common and school systems were subpar.
Expectations in this predominantly Black neighborhood focused more on sports than on academic achievements.
Despite these challenges, Spencer enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he navigated the racial turmoil of the 1970s. A senior non-commissioned officer recognized Spencer’s potential and encouraged him to pursue a college degree and apply for Officer Training School, where he excelled.
As a young first lieutenant, he took on a tough assignment in the Pentagon, quickly earning a reputation as a high achiever.
In 1990, he commanded a squadron that received accolades for its performance during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Spencer went on to serve at the White House and commanded both a Group and a Wing before becoming the chief financial officer (comptroller) for Air Combat Command, the largest command in the Air Force.
He was promoted to brigadier general during this time and established a new Directorate at Air Force Materiel Command. He later returned to the Pentagon, where he managed the Air Force budget and ultimately became the Air Force’s thirty-seventh vice chief of staff, making him one of only nine African Americans to achieve a four-star promotion.
Spencer concludes his remarkable journey with valuable life lessons learned from his experiences, from his upbringing in the inner city to his role at the Pentagon.
Captain Donnie Cochran had a distinguished career in the Navy, serving as a fighter pilot flying the RF-8G and F-14A & D jets from the decks of several aircraft carriers, including the USS Nimitz, USS Coral Sea, USS Enterprise, USS Ranger, and USS Kitty Hawk.
He held the positions of executive officer and commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 111. Captain Cochran’s career also included two tours with the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, known as The Blue Angels.
Today, he is a recognized expert and motivational speaker in both military and business sectors, inspiring individuals and organizations to achieve higher and sustained performance in their personal and professional lives.
He has received numerous awards and honors, such as the Distinguished Graduate Award from Savannah State University and the 1989 Black Engineer of the Year Award from Career Communications Group.
Read Cochran’s story in Glad to Be Here. It’s about how a kid from rural southwest Georgia, a struggling student, grew up to be a member of the famous Blue Angels.
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