Walter Womack Branford

In 1998, OBMG honored Walter Womack Branford (1928-1997). He was the second African American to graduate from SUNY Maritime College.

After high school, Branford worked for 3 years aboard merchant marine cargo vessels between the East Coast US ports, Europe, and South America.

In 1948, he was accepted to SUNY Maritime College. He graduated with the Class of 1952 with a degree in Marine Engineering, a Third Assistant Engineers license, and a commission as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve.

He went on to become the first African American Sales Executive at Pan American Airlines.

With business partner, Wilbert Boyce, he founded the Double Eagle Steam Ship Company in 1977. The steamship line serviced routes in North America between the East Coast and Northern European ports.