The U.S. Navy released on Wednesday 258 Black Sailors who were unfairly punished and court-martialed for refusing orders following an explosion in a Californian port that killed over 300 people 80 years ago.

A powerful explosion, with the power of an atomic blast, destroyed two ships, a train, and killed 320 people, most of them Black sailors loading guns on ships, during the night of the 17th of July 1944.

After the explosion, the white sailors received leave while the black sailors were forced to handle ammunition without any training or equipment.

The Navy's largest mutiny in history was launched when the sailors refused loading the ships.

The court-martialing of 258 men and the conviction of 50 others of mutiny sparked a public debate, resulting in accusations of racism and injustice within the military.

The anniversary of the explosion was marked by U.S. Navy Sec. Carlos Del Toro. "The Port Chicago fifty, and the many hundreds of people who stood beside them, are no longer with us, but their stories live on as a testament to courage, unwavering justice, and the power of courage," he said. They are a beacon for hope and remind us that even when faced with overwhelming odds, we can fight to do what is right.

The Navy stated that its general attorney found "significant legal mistakes" during courts-martials, including the denial of meaningful rights to counsel.

In a statement, President Joe Biden stated that "Today's news marks the end to a long journey and arduous experience for these Black Sailors and their families. They fought for a country that denied them equality under law." (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel; Idrees Al and Phil Stewart)