The term "Hispanic", which according to the United States Census Bureau is an ethnic term used to categorize any citizen or resident of the United States, of any racial background, and of any religion, who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or any of the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas,[3] was not used until the 1970s, therefore Latinos were classified by race either as "Whites" or as "Blacks".

[6] On September 1, 1942, Samuels received the following notification from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox: "Pursuant to the provision of an Act of Congress approved July 24, 1941, (Public Law No.

188 - 77th Congress), the President of the United States on this date appoints you a Boatswain in the Coast Guard for temporary service to rank from the First of September 1942", thus Samuels became a warrant officer.

He was then reassigned to the Coast Guard Training Station at Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York and served as the Director of Visual Signaling for Recruits.

For the first time a number of African Americans, approximately 1.6 percent of the Coast Guard's total enlisted complement, would undergo regular recruit and specialized training.

On August 14, 1943, Samuels was sent to the North Atlantic where he served aboard the USS Sea Cloud, a vessel which operated as a weather station.

Samuels, who became the damage control officer on Sea Cloud, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant junior grade on August 31.

This type of action was not uncommon in the military after the war since it was a part of the massive demobilization of the Coast Guard following the end of hostilities.