Carl Brashear American military diver Date of Birth: 19.01.1931 Country: USA

1. Biography of Carl Brashear
2. Overcoming Racial Challenges
3. A Life-Altering Accident
4. Continued Service and Legacy

Biography of Carl Brashear

Carl Maxie Brashear was born in 1931 in Tonieville, Kentucky. He was the sixth of eight children of McDonald and Gonzella Brashear, who were sharecroppers. After completing high school in 1946, Carl joined the U.S. Navy in 1948. In 1954, he became the first African American graduate of the Diving & Salvage School, making history as the first black diver and rescuer to complete the program.

Overcoming Racial Challenges

During his time at the Diving & Salvage School, Carl faced racial discrimination and hostility from his fellow servicemen. The derogatory term "negro" was commonly used to refer to African Americans at the time. Despite these challenges, Carl persevered and successfully completed the program, becoming the first black salvage diver.

A Life-Altering Accident

In 1966, while serving on the USS Hoist (ARS-40) off the coast of Palomares, Spain, Carl suffered a severe leg injury. The accident occurred during an aerial refueling operation when a bomber carrying a nuclear bomb collided with a tanker, resulting in the bomb being dropped into the sea. Carl was tasked with locating and retrieving the bomb, but during the operation, he was struck on the leg by a pipe from the lifting equipment.

Despite extensive hospitalization, Carl's leg did not heal properly, leading him to make the difficult decision to have it amputated. He spent nearly a year in the hospital before returning to service in 1967. For his heroism during the operation, Carl was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the Navy and Marine Corps.

Continued Service and Legacy

After serving in the military until 1979, Carl retired as a master diver. He continued to work at the Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia until 1993. Carl was married three times and had four children throughout his life.

Carl Brashear passed away in 2006 from a heart attack, ironically in the same military hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he had received treatment for his leg. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk. In honor of his legacy, several exhibitions have been held in naval museums, a high-speed vessel was named after him, and his life story was portrayed in the 2000 film 'Men of Honor,' in which he was portrayed by actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.