By Kate Wiltrout
The Virginian-Pilot
Carl Brashear was a man with unwavering determination to serve as a Navy diver - and to return to the water even after losing a leg.
Thursday in San Diego, the Navy's top officials gathered to honor Brashear at the christening and launch of a supply ship bearing his name. Also in the crowd was Senior Chief Petty Officer John Allen, a diver from Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. Several years ago, he spent just a few minutes with Brashear, but it made a big impression.
Brashear joined the Navy in 1948 and became the service's first black deep sea diver in 1953. Injured in a salvage operation in 1966, Brashear had his left leg amputated. Undeterred, he became the first diver in Navy history to be restored to full active duty as an amputee.
He later became the first black master diver in the Navy.
Brashear, who retired in 1979, was portrayed in the 2000 movie "Men of Honor" by Cuba Gooding Jr. He lived in Virginia Beach
until his death in 2006.
Brashear's namesake ship is 689 feet long, the seventh in the Lewis and Clark class of supply ships built for the Military Sealift Command by General Dynamics. It will carry ammunition and cargo to replenish Navy warships at sea.
Allen, who is black, said Brashear's example, and his words, resonated with the crew.
Brashear visited the salvage ship Grapple in the Red Sea while Allen was aboard.
"It's not a sin to get knocked down; it's a sin to stay down," Brashear told the crew, which was working to recover helicopter wreckage.
Another favorite phrase: "I ain't going to let nobody steal my dream."
Allen said Brashear's message resonates among divers regardless of race.
"This was a man who wanted no favor, no quarter for his color. He just wanted his chance. If you want it, and you're willing to work for it, it's something you can achieve."
Kate Wiltrout, (757) 446-2629, kate.wiltrout@pilotonline.com
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A man of courage and principle
Carl Brashear served onboard the USS Hoist at the same time I was onboard the USS Recovery, both of them salvage & rescue ships under Service Squadron Eight at the Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, VA. Brashear was much talked-about by the divers onboard the Recovery--he was known as a tough, hard-working man, strong on courage and principle. He set a fine example for his junior sailors, regardless of race or color. The Navy couldn't have selected a finer man with whom to honor by naming a ship after him. Even beyond his example, however, is the legacy he left as a man who simply could not let go of his dream, no matter the hardship or the setbacks. Politicians talk about principles and values--Carl lived them.
This man was awesome &
This man was awesome & should be an example to all of us that if you work hard, your dreams can come true.
Salvage ship
The Navy is making a major mistake with getting out of the emergency towing and salvage business to the extent that it has. There SHOULD be a new line of salvage and towing/rescue ships built for the Navy - with the first one being named the Carl Brashear.
First black Navy master diver honored with ship named for him
A great Man. I'm glad the Navy named a ship for him.