On October 12, 1972 — during the Vietnam War — racial tensions grow violent aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. Eight months at sea, the ship has broken records for days “on the line”: launching sorties around-the-clock.

Black sailors are mostly low ranking, poorly treated and number only one for every 15 white sailors. After a handful of violent incidents over preceding months, Black sailors perceive a racist application of justice. Tensions rise.

On this day, Marines stop three Black sailors: “You blacks can’t walk in over twos.” Fighting erupts as rumors spread shipwide and chaos ensues. Sick bay fills with injured men, but Black sailors’ injuries go unrecorded.

Official records downplay white involvement. 27 sailors are tried, all Black, and 18 convicted of assault and rioting.