US Navy 1st. Black Master Diver CPO, Carl Maxie Brashear. 1931-2006 photo gallery

Carl Brashear was born on January 19, 1931, and passed away in 2006. He was the first Black Master Diver in the U.S. Navy and held the highest warfare qualification of the U.S. Navy Divers. He was also the first Black Master Diver to be recertified after losing a limb.
Brought up in rural Kentucky as the son of a sharecropper, Brashear dropped out of school in the 7th grade to work on a farm. Despite facing numerous hurdles, he was eventually accepted into the U.S. Navy after being rejected by the U.S. Army.
Initially assigned to the stewards' branch as a Messman, where his duties involved cooking and serving food, he eventually fulfilled his dream of becoming a diver after sending over 100 letters to the diving school. Despite facing discrimination and sabotage, he graduated in 1955 and went on to retrieve sunken ships and planes, as well as detonate World War II torpedoes.
In 1966, Brashear faced his most challenging assignment when a B-52 bomber carrying hydrogen bombs collided with a refueling tanker in Spain. During the rescue mission, an accident nearly ended his life, resulting in the amputation of his left leg. Refusing to be held back, he became the first amputee diver with a prosthetic leg and overcame substantial challenges to earn the Master Diver qualification in 1970.
After serving in the Navy until 1979, Brashear continued working at Naval Stations and retired in 1993. His remarkable life story was portrayed in the 2000 movie "Men of Honor," with Carl Brashear serving as a consultant and confirming the accuracy of the depiction.
Carl Brashear's legacy serves as an inspiration for individuals facing similar challenges and demonstrates the resilience and determination needed to overcome adversity.
In addition, it's important to acknowledge Brashear's contributions and recognize the ongoing prevalence of racism, which persists in various forms and continues to pose a threat to society.

[@kellyford5903]

Thank you for this! Appreciate your time and energy!! 🙏💕🇺🇸

[@juda56]

You are so welcome

[@jennifermaguire546]

Watched the film with Cuba Gooding jr. and never forgot a minute of it since it first screened. The white Navy couldn't be seen to have a coloured person on board with a much higher skill set than most of the crew. Great will power .

[@mcshea847]

Pretty amazing man!

[@juda56]

Thanks a ton!

[@thomasozminkowski2589]

Great man, great movie. I love those stripes he earned, wow an arm full!