The Long Wait for Justice: The James Dockery Story with Historian Tony Pavia, a Black History Month Program.

An evening with historian Tony Pavia, who will tell the harrowing story of Black sailor James Dockery, one of six gunners who protected the the USS Intrepid from a Japanese kamikaze attack on October 29, 1944. 

Although people of color were typically assigned to non-combat roles aboard U. S. Navy ships, Gun Tub 10 on the USS Intrepid was manned by Black and Hispanic volunteers, most serving as cooks or waiters in the officers’ mess. On October 29, 1944, they held their posts against a Japanese kamikaze attack until it crashed into their position, killing 10 men and severely burning the survivors. Among them, six received Bronze Stars. Decades later, Alonzo Swann sued for the Navy Cross he had been promised but which had been downgraded. Between 1993 and 2002, three of the original six—along with three others—were awarded Navy Crosses, including James Dockery, whose award was approved on January 6, 1994.

Refreshments will be served.

Registration required.

Tony Pavia, a former educator and administrator in lower Fairfield County for more than 38 years, served as principal of Stamford High School, Trinity Catholic High School and New Canaan High School. Pavia, who began his teaching career in 1977 at Westhill High School, subsequently worked as an assistant principal, dean of students and teacher at Darien High School and Stamford High School, where he also chaired the History Department.

In 1992, Pavia launched an oral history project interviewing local World War II veterans, which led to the book An American Town Goes to War (1995). Throughout his career, he remained deeply involved with veterans, organizing large assemblies in the schools where he taught or served as principal.

After retiring in 2015, Pavia and his son Matt coauthored An American Town and the Vietnam War (2018), documenting Stamford residents’ experiences through oral histories, narratives and biographies of the 29 local men killed in the war.

Pavia has received numerous honors, including the Connecticut Celebration of Excellence Award, the Theodore White Educational Partner Award from Junior Achievement, the Stamford Historical Society Award for Contributions to Local History, the Connecticut Musical Theater Association’s Presidents Award, the Yerwood Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Education, and recognition as Man of the Year by both the Roasters and the State Street Debating Society.

Presented in partnership with the Stamford Veterans Park Partnership.