Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear Died Yesterday

[BOSSHOG]

The navy's first black deep sea diver whose refusal to quit despite racism and physical trauma inspired the movie "Men of Honor" died yesterday of heart and respiratory failure at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. He was 75. He was the first Navy Diver to be restored to Active Duty after having a leg amputated. He retired in 1979 as the Navy's first Black Master Diver.

Master Chief Brashear is hero personified. As a young pup Sailor I had the privilege of meeting him before he retired.

[babylonsister]

1. I read about Chief Brashear yesterday, and I thank you

for informing me. I knew I had heard that name before but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. I googled his pic, no luck. It was the movie!
May Master Chief Brashear rest in peace!

[IdaBriggs]

2. Kicking & Nominating for the other Everyday Heros. nt

:kick:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

3. RIP Master Chief Petty Officer Brashear.

You did yourself and your country proud. :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[Blue_Tires]

4. ttt n/t

[TahitiNut]

5. Attention on deck.

They said you couldn't have it, Carl.

They were wrong.

Bon voyage, Master Chief.

:patriot: :cry: :patriot:

There's a "Diver Down" flag in heaven today.

[NMDemDist2]

6. happy to K&N this for a brave patriot

may he Rest in Peace with the good wishes of a grateful citizen

:patriot:

[11 Bravo]

7. Thanks for this, Boss, I hadn't heard.

RIP Master Chief Brashear. You epitomized heroism and love of a country that didn't always love you back.

[BOSSHOG]

8. The CPO network

is pretty tight. I got an email this am. I hope he ends up in Arlington if that's what his family wishes with a Godawful big ceremony.

[11 Bravo]

10. Without CPOs, we don't HAVE a Navy.

I learned that from my dad, a career Naval officer (fighter pilot and eventual carrier skipper). It's no surprise that the CPO net is wired tight.

[BOSSHOG]

12. As I recall

CARRIER SKIPPERS were pretty damned essential too!

[11 Bravo]

13. He's 84 now, and has finally forgiven me for "going grunt",

but damn I'm proud of him. The popularity of the military ebbs and flows, but we can never forget the debt we owe them. In my mind, to go from a 20 year old aviation cadet in 1942, to command of 4,000 men and a floating fortress is pretty fucking special. Maybe you need to be a military brat, a vet, or both, to appreciate that.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

9. I'm sorry to hear that. Carl Brashear was born and raised here

in Hardin County, KY. His family was a dirt poor farming family and Brashear never forgot his humble beginnings. He came back to Elizabethtown a few years ago when the movie came out and by the interviews he gave he was a smart, kind, humble man who had such drive to succeed.

RIP

[BOSSHOG]

11. I only met him for a few minutes

but the man exuded professionalism. I was just a young Seaman and he made me feel like the most important Sailor in the Navy.

[Greybnk48]

14. We just rented the movie a couple of weeks ago

a real profile in courage and grit. Thanks for posting this.

[underpants]

15. RIP

:patriot:

[underpants]

16. 7/26/1948 Truman desegregates the US military

1948: Pres. Truman issues Executive Order 9981, directing equality of opportunity in armed forces.

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=17214#26