Oral history with John Henry Dawson; 2009

Oral history.; John Henry Dawson was born December 8, 1923 in Lumberton, Mississippi. During World War II, he was drafted into the United States Navy in 1943. He served for nearly three years until 1946. After the war, Dawson spent 9 years working at the Gulfport Veterans' Hospital. Here he met African American physician, Felix Dunn, and the two men planned to establish a business in the community. Dunn and Dawson decided to open a service station located on 19th Street and 33rd Avenue, and Dawson served as the manager for 38 years. He was also a member of the Gulfport branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was heavily involved in the civil rights movement. Other topics discussed include interactions with Medgar Evers, the impact of Sheriff Curtis Dedeaux on the community, and Dr. Dunn providing medical assistance for various civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s.

Oral history.; John Henry Dawson was born December 8, 1923 in Lumberton, Mississippi. During World War II, he was drafted into the United States Navy in 1943. He served for nearly three years until 1946. After the war, Dawson spent 9 years working at the Gulfport Veterans' Hospital. Here he met African American physician, Felix Dunn, and the two men planned to establish a business in the community. Dunn and Dawson decided to open a service station located on 19th Street and 33rd Avenue, and Dawson served as the manager for 38 years. He was also a member of the Gulfport branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was heavily involved in the civil rights movement. Other topics discussed include interactions with Medgar Evers, the impact of Sheriff Curtis Dedeaux on the community, and Dr. Dunn providing medical assistance for various civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s.

Oral history.; John Henry Dawson was born December 8, 1923 in Lumberton, Mississippi. During World War II, he was drafted into the United States Navy in 1943. He served for nearly three years until 1946. After the war, Dawson spent 9 years working at the Gulfport Veterans' Hospital. Here he met African American physician, Felix Dunn, and the two men planned to establish a business in the community. Dunn and Dawson decided to open a service station located on 19th Street and 33rd Avenue, and Dawson served as the manager for 38 years. He was also a member of the Gulfport branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was heavily involved in the civil rights movement. Other topics discussed include interactions with Medgar Evers, the impact of Sheriff Curtis Dedeaux on the community, and Dr. Dunn providing medical assistance for various civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s.