Describe the outcome of the trial of the Port Chicago 50. As a result, what theme emerges in the final chapters of the text?

After being convicted of mutiny (which in and of itself is a staggering thing), the Port Chicago 50 were given the comparatively light sentence of 15 years of hard labor. Readers should be clear on the fact that, had Veltmann not been so effective in his work, the 50 men may have even been sentenced to death.

The main theme in this section is centered aroung doing the right thing, and the fact that doing the right thing is often the hardest to do. When the court reached its verdict, Joe and the others were saddened but not surprised to be found guilty of mutiny. He and the others were sentenced to fifteen years hard labor, which devastated them. Despite the punishment, the men remained convinced they did the right thing. These sentences were commuted, however, with a change in Naval policy which allowed blacks to serve in any role at sea. Having stood up for what they believed in, Joe Small and his fellow 49 Americans were reassigned to serve on ships. However, the mutiny continued to hang over their heads for the rest of their lives. None ever came to regret the refusal, however.