April 4, 2014 Gazette

APRIL 4, 2014• VOL. 71 • NO. 13• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090

Navy Chiefs Celebrate 121 Years Of Proud Heritage

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Bob Didier and Chief Navy Diver Chris Kerr conduct morning colors April 1 in honor of the Chiefs 121st Birthday.

MCC Keith Bryska / Gazette Editior

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avy Chief Petty Officers celebrated their 121st Birthday April 1 and those stationed at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay celebrated with several events throughout the week to include a cake cutting ceremony, 5k run, a movie night and serving meals to Junior Sailors at the galley.

“The first week of April is a celebration of our great brotherhood.

The Navy in itself is a huge fraternity, but to be a Chief in the Navy is an honor unlike any other,” said Chief Navy Diver, Julius McManus.

“To be able to celebrate our CPO birthday with all of our Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines here in Guantanamo Bay makes this year even more special.”

Being welcomed in to the Mess is a special time for all Chiefs and that is a feeling that is traced back to 121 years of proud heritage. Unlike any other branch of service you are not just an E7, you are a CHIEF and to become one requires going through an intense training process that last several weeks.

According to NS Guantanamo Bay, Command Master Chief Jeff Tidwell, a Navy Chief is an instrumental part of a command and without him the command would not meet its mission. You are now entrusted with the lives and careers of every Sailor wearing the uniform.

You are responsible to lead, guide, and mentor them on a daily basis.

On deployments you are charged with getting them home safely to their families. These obligations we cannot hide from.

“You have a direct impact on mission success because you are the lynch pin in the most important triad at your command, the one that includes your leading petty officer and your division officer. If this triad succeeds, then your department will succeed and the overall mission of your command will be a success,” said Tidwell. “While the command triad is extremely important, it is the execution at the departmental triad that ultimately determines the outcome of the mission. This is the Chiefs domain.”

Ask any Chief and they will tell you when you are accepted in to the mess you understand that it’s something larger than yourself, you belong to an extended family with many sisters and brothers.

Mcmanus believes it is also your responsibility to ensure our heritage is never forgotten.

“On our 121st year of the Chief Petty Officer community, one of the Navy’s most important repositories of heritage and tradition, it is as good of a time as any other to reflect on our rich heritage. George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” You can tell he was not a Chief because those who know their heritage strive to repeat it,” said McManus. (continued on page 5)

PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE

SAILOR OF THE WEEK

Chief Master-At-Arms Daniel Montague 1867-1912

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aniel Montague was born in Wicklow, Ireland on October 22, 1867. When he was still an infant, his family moved to Boodles, England, just outside of Liverpool. Daniel joined the Royal Navy, and married Margaret Corcoran in England. The couple soon had a daughter, the first of four.

By this time it was the 1890’s, a time of massive growth for the U.S. Navy. To obtain skilled crewmen for its rapidly increasing navy, the U.S. Navy made it attractive for members of the Royal Navy to transfer to the U.S. Navy at the end of their enlistments, or even to simply jump ship if they did not want to wait that long. With his family, the second option was out of the question for Daniel Montague. Still, soon he was serving in the U.S. Navy, eventually making his way to the new and speedy cruiser, USS NEW YORK. This vessel was the flagship of Admiral William Sampson of the North Atlantic Squadron.

With the outbreak of the war, the naval forces of Sampson’s combined North Atlantic Squadron and the Flying Squadron (under Winfield Scott Schley) began a blockade of Cuba, especially Santiago where the Spanish Squadron under Spanish Admiral Cervera was found to be.

Before he even arrived, Sampson was already making plans to “bottle up” Cervera and his squadron in Santiago harbor by sinking the collier MERRIMAC in the channel entrance. The vessel would be under the command of Naval Constructor Richmond Hobson.

As plans went into their final phase, Hobson was looking for one more man to fill out his very small crew. This man would be charged with loosing the stern anchor at the precise moment. More importantly, however, Hobson wanted a man who could lead the remaining crewmen if he himself was unable to do so through injury or death. Hobson consulted with the executive officer of the NEW YORK. Daniel Montague, the vessel’s 29 year old chief master-at-arms (basically the ship’s chief of police), was recommended and gladly accepted the position. It was not a position to be taken lightly. The chances of survival of any of the MERRIMAC’s crewmen was considered to be very low, as it was expected that all of the available guns at Morro Castle, the Socapa Battery, and aboard the Spanish ships in the area would be opened upon the MERRIMAC. On the MERRIMAC’S run into the harbor, Montague was at his position by the stern anchor when a large projectile pierced the air, wrecking the stern structure and cutting the anchor lashings. Through the tumult, he promptly reported this information to Hobson who apparently could not hear it . Montague could not have known at that moment, but this same shell may have destroyed the rudder control lines, dooming the mission. When Montague appeared at the rendezvous point aboard ship, Hobson later stated that he knew all attempts to place the ship athwart the channel had failed. If the faithful Montague was there, Hobson knew the stern anchor had been lost, otherwise Montague would still have been at his post.

According to their prearranged plan, the crew abandoned ship, but were unable to escape the channel and regain the American squadron because of the strong current. The next morning the crew was taken aboard a steam launch with none other than Admiral Cervera himself helping to bring the men aboard. The MERRIMAC’s crew was soon confined in Morro Castle. Later, they were transferred to the city of Santiago itself. During the march from Morro Castle to Santiago, Hobson placed Daniel Montague in charge of the small contingent, with orders to have the men preserve their military bearing during the march.

Santiago was not kind to the chief master-at-arms. On June 26, Hobson found that Montague was sick with fever. The Spanish surgeon removed him from his quarters for better care and reported Montague’s fever to Hobson three times a day. As the remainder of the crew was also beginning to decline, Hobson and the British consul requested that the men be paroled. The request was denied, but the men were moved to a proper hospital where all of the crew, including Montague began to recover quickly. Hobson knew that it would take months for the men to fully recover. In Montague’s case, he never fully recovered. However, he found himself to be considered a national hero along with the rest of the MERRIMAC’s crew. His action aboard the MERRIMAC resulted in his being rewarded by being awarded the Medal of Honor.

According to his daughters, the last three of whom were born in the U.S. in 1898, 1904, and 1906, Montague served as a mentor to the younger men in the years after the war. Apparently he went into the open sea single handed to successfully rescue a sailor who had fallen overboard, although there appears to be no documentation of this event. His health, still affected by the imprisonment in Santiago, combined with his hero status, allowed him to be given light duty at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, where the last of his daughters was born in 1906.

One of his responsibilities was overseeing the maintenance of Admiral Dewey’s flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay, the OLYMPIA. The vessel was being used for midshipman training cruises.

Continuing to suffer from ill health, Montague was hospitalized periodically and given blood transfusions. Unfortunately blood typing was yet discovered, and he was apparently given an incompatible transfusion which led to his demise in 1912. The Academy Hospital overlooked the cemetery (the building still stands today but has long had a different use) and Daniel Montague requested burial under a tree which he could see from his hospital room, in lieu of burial in the National Cemetery at Arlington, VA. VOL. 71 • NO.13

COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF

Guantanamo Bay Gazette

CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA

The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 1,000.

APRIL 4, 2014• PAGE 3

Original Nine Chief Petty Officer Ratings

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n April 1, 1893, two important steps were taken. First, the grade of Chief Petty Officer was established; secondly, most enlisted men received a pay raise. The question is often asked, “Who was the first Chief Petty Officer?” The answer is flatly: “There was no first Chief Petty Officer due to the fact that nearly all ratings carried as Petty Officers First Class from 1885 were automatically shifted to the Chief Petty Officer level.” Exceptions were Schoolmasters, who stayed at first class; Ship’s Writers, who stayed the same but expanded to include second and third class; and Carpenter’s Mates, who had been carried as second class petty officers but were extended to include chief, first, second, and third classes.

Therefore, the Chief Petty Officer grade on April 1, 1893, encompassed the nine rates: Chief Chief Chief Chief

Master-at-Arms, Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Quartermaster, Chief Gunner’s Mate, Machinist, Chief Carpenter’s Mate, Yeoman, Apothecary, Band Masters

The Fouled Anchors

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he foul anchor as a naval insignia got its start as the seal of the Lord Howard of Effingham.

He was the Lord Admiral of England at the time of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. During this period their personal seal of the great officer of state was adopted as the seal of his office. The fouled anchor still remains the official seal of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain. When this office became part of the present Board of Admiralty, the seal was retained on buttons, official seals, and cap badges.

The Navy’s adoption of this symbol and many other customs can be directly attributed to the influence of the British Naval tradition. The fouled anchor is among one of them.

The CPO Fouled Anchors

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he Fouled Anchor is the emblem of the Rate of Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy.

Attached to the Anchor is a length of chain and the letters U.S.N.

The First Female Master Chief, Anna Der-Vartanian

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native of Detroit, Mich., Der-Vartanian joined the Navy in December 1943. She began her career with several clerical and administrative positions in Washington, D.C., Great Lakes, Ill., and San Francisco, Calif. In 1946, she was promoted to chief yeoman.

In 1949, Der-Vartanian accepted a supervisor position at the Naval Air Training Command in Pensacola, Florida. She moved on to serve as the public information officer for Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and then served in the Personnel Office of Parachute Rigger and Aerograph Schools at Lakehurst, N.J. In 1957 DerVartanian moved to Boston, Mass. to serve at the Public Information Office, where she remained until 1959.

In 1959, while serving as assistant to the Global Strategy Officer at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., Der-Vartanian received her promotion to master chief petty officer. With that promotion, she made history as the first women in the Armed Services to be promoted to the rank of E-9. Noting the historic occasion, she received a personal letter from thenPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower congratulating her on her accomplishment.

She went on to serve as the chief clerk of the Office of the United States Military Representative at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), located near Paris, France from 1960 until 1962. She returned to the United States in 1962 and was assigned to the Legal Office Naval Station, Washington, D.C.

Der-Vartanian retired from the Navy July 16, 1963.

Following her retirement, she joined the Central Intelligence Agency as a junior analyst and later became a counterintelligence specialist. In 1991 she retired from the Central Intelligence Agency but later returned as a contract employee, where she remained until 2007.

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Anna DerVartanian died Aug. 4, 2011 at the age of 90 and was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery amid a crowd of hundreds of Sailors, family, and friends who came to honor one of first women to shatter the glass ceiling for enlisted women in the Navy.

For Chiefs, we know that the anchors on our collar do not give us entitlements, they give us responsibilities. They mean you are the first one in the work center and the last one to leave, they tell you that you need to know each one of your Sailors and how to help them in their time of need.

“Make no mistake about it, being an effective Chief Petty Officer requires a level of effort that is uncommon. Being a Chief Petty Officer is not for amateurs. I believe with all my heart that your ability to lead and influence our Sailors is absolutely critical to our success; we could even say that it is absolutely critical to our survival,” said Tidwell. “We have the responsibility to walk the walk - lead by example, and take control of what we own. Let us make this, ““The Year of Solutions.””

Many young Sailors and Officers believe the letters on the anchors of a Chiefs uniform read simply USN, they don’t.

They stand for something greater, they stand for teamwork, understanding, leadership, responsibility, compassion, family, honor, courage, commitment and the list goes on. If you ask any Chief they will tell you that they simply stand for Unity, Service and Navigation.

When asked what he wants his Sailors to see from the mess this

week Tidwell responded.

“A sense of pride, unity and family that comes with wearing the anchors while being a part of the Goat Locker. The only entitlement you get for putting on anchors is that now you are part of a worldwide and lifelong family of brothers and sisters that will always be there for you through the good and the bad,” said Tidwell.

It is expected of the Chief to know the answer; if he or she doesn’t know then they can lean on his brothers and sisters for help and advice. This term has been adopted and known throughout the Navy as “Ask the Chief.”

“There have been some amazing CPO’s since General Order 409 was given in 1893. From our first female CPO, YNC Loretta P. Walsh, to our first MCPON, GMCM Delbert Black. We have even had a baseball hall of famer grace our ranks, GMC Bob Feller,” said McManus. “However, the most impressive Chiefs are those who remember our heritage and share it with those that we strive to lead so that they too can share in the pride of being a US Navy Sailor.”

So as we continue to lead from the front all I want to say is Happy Birthday. This is your week, enjoy celebrating our strong heritage and continue doing what chiefs do; taking care of Sailors.

PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE

Chief Petty Officer Creed

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uring the course of this day you have been caused to humbly accept challenge and face adversity. This you have accomplished with rare good grace. Pointless as some of these challenges may have seemed, there were valid, time-honored reasons behind each pointed barb.

It was necessary to meet these hurdles with blind faith in the fellowship of Chief Petty Officers. The goal was to instill in you that trust is inherent with the donning of the uniform of a Chief.

It was our intent to impress upon you that challenge is good; a great and necessary reality which cannot mar you - which, in fact, strengthens you. In your future as a Chief Petty Officer, you will be forced to endure adversity far beyond that imposed upon you today. You must face each challenge and adversity with the same dignity and good grace you demonstrated today. By experience, by performance, and by testing, you have been this day advanced to Chief Petty Officer.

In the United States Navy - and only in the United States Navy - the rank of E7 carries with it unique responsibilities and privileges you are now bound to observe and expected to fulfill. Your entire way of life is now changed. More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you. Not because you are a E7 but because you are now a Chief Petty Officer. You have not merely been promoted one paygrade, you have joined an exclusive fellowship and, as in all fellowships, you have a

special responsibility to your comrades, even as they have a special responsibility to you.

This is why we in the United States Navy may maintain with pride our feelings of accomplishment once we have attained the position of Chief Petty Officer. Your new responsibilities and privileges do not appear in print. They have no official standing; they cannot be referred to by name, number, nor file. They have existed for over 100 years, Chiefs before you have freely accepted responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment. Their actions and their performance demanded the respect of their seniors as well as their juniors.

It is now required that you be the fountain of wisdom, the ambassador of good will, the authority in personal relations as well as in technical applications. “Ask the Chief ” is a household phrase in and out of the Navy.

You are now the Chief. The exalted position you have now achieved - and the word exalted is used advisedly - exists because of the attitude and performance of the Chiefs before you. It shall exist only as long as you and your fellow Chiefs maintain these standards. It was our intention that you never forget this day.

It was our intention to test you, to try you, and to accept you. Your performance has assured us that you will wear “the hat” with the same pride as your comrades in arms before you. We take a deep and sincere pleasure in clasping your hand, and accepting you as a Chief Petty officer in the United States Navy..

USS Chief MCM-14

and shapes about the mast; signifying a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations. There are 84 links in the fouled anchor chain, one for each Plankowner and the ship’s Sponsor and Matron of Honor. The trident atop the crest denotes sea power. The blue and white surface from which it rises represents both the sea upon which the ship will serve, and the waters of Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan, upon which the ship was born. Surrounding the trident are seven stars representing the seven Battle Stars won during the Second World War and the Korean War by the first ship to bear the name CHIEF, USS CHIEF AM-315.

The five above the trident are for World War Two, and the two alongside for the Korean War.

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he USS CHIEF MCM-14 is named for the former USS CHIEF AM-315, and to honor the service and tradition of the Chief Petty Officer’s of the United States Navy. USS CHIEF MCM-14 was christened by Mrs. Susan Bushey (the wife of the seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON Dwayne Bushey) on 12 June 1993. Construction and fittingout was done in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and the ship was accepted from Mr. Ellsworth Peterson on behalf of the United States Navy, and placed in commission

by Lieutenant Commander Timothy S. Garrold, USN, her first Commanding Officer, on 8 July 1994.

Crest of the USS Chief MCM-14 Navy blue and gold are the traditional colors of the United States Navy. The mine in the center of the shield represents the mine countermeasures mission of the CHIEF, while the crossed officer’s sword and enlisted cutlass symbolize surface warfare excellence.

The fouled navy anchor, insignia of a Chief Petty Officer, is further symbolic of the United States Navy’s leadership. The three silver stars above the fouled anchor depict the leadership and service of the Master Chief Petty Officers of the Navy (MCPON) - past, present, and future, and honor the ship’s sponsor. The stars are also arranged in the same manner about the anchor as the International Navigational Symbol for lights

Ships Motto: “HONOR, TRADITION, VALOR”

GTMO SHOPPER

MOVIES

E-mail classified ad submissions to

PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns.

Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.

13 April 1000 Palm Sunday Service

MISC

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Fair condition $15.00, Little Tikes Mobil Red Push Car $20, Step2 Play and fold Slide $15, Little Tikes Small Trike $15, Radio Flyer Big Flyer Red $15 Please call 77516.

Wall mounted hanging pot rack $20, 19” LCD computer monitor $20, floor lamp $10, desk chair $10, 22 book set Southern Living Cookbooks $25, side-by-side refrigerator $150, hose reel cart $10. Call 84147

VEHICLES 2003 Saturn Ion, only 88k miles, new tires, runs great, leather interior, good a/c, keyless entry, NOT a GTMO Special. $4,400. Call 75545 for more information.

1996 Ford Ranger $1400, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500 $2650 call 77516 for more info.

OUTDOOR REC Two Kawasaki STX 12F Jet Ski’s - year 2006, with double trailer (trailer can be broken down for ship out), Jet Ski covers, water ski’s, knee board. NOW $ 6,000.00 Contact Richard @ 90068 Patio table set with 6 chairs, $100; Grill with side burner & newer propane tank, $75; Nice keyboard with stand, $75; two matching corner desks, $75 each. Call 75545 for more information.

Full SCUBA Set for sale $300, SCUBAPRO Classic BCD with Air2 Size Medium. U.S. Divers Regulator Set up with Aqualung dual gauge console (compass and spg) and air2 hose for alternate air.Comes with Weight Belt, Regulator Bag, and Writing slate.,Selling Three ALM 63 Scuba Tanks $100 (each) they have a good current Visual Inspection and The Hydro,One tank is blue, one is Grey, and one is Black. Ready to DIVE, DIVE,,DIVE!!!,Selling all for $300 or $100 each.

Call 77219 after 1600....Before 1600 72380 and ask for James.

GTMO JOBS

MWR is offering the following jobs:

Recreation Aid- Marina Cashier-Windjammer Recreation Aid - Gym Recreation Aid - Bowling Alley Supply Clerk NEX is offering the following jobs: Sales Clerk Front Desk Clerk-Navy Lodge

16 April 1900 Holy Unction 17 April 1900 12 Gospels Service

Soldier

PG13

19 April 2200 Pascha Service/ Easter Service

SATURDAY 8 p.m.: 3 Days to Kill

23 April 1900 Bright Wednesday Service

10:15 p.m. Divergent

TOY SWAP

SUNDAY Noah 8 p.m.:

Do you have perfectly good toys that are collecting dust and taking up space? GREAT! Bring them to the Toy Swap and get new toys for FREE! Get a jump on your Spring Cleaning! Each toy you bring gives you a ticket to use during the swap time to exchange for another donated toy. Any toys not claimed will be redistributed back into the GTMO Community.

WHERE: Community Center, WHEN: Saturday, May 3rd TIME: Toy drop off* 10AM-11AM *All toys must pass the toy check to be taken. Swap time 6PM7:30PM ALSO includes: catered appetizers, desserts, & beverages and a $50 door prize raffle at the end.

Burns and Roe is offering the following jobs: Passenger Service Representative NAVSTA HRO is offerring the following jobs: Housing Manager Food Service Worker

The

scoop

Eset family security pack Navy LT William Butts, an Orthodox antivirus, 5 pc and Mac Chaplain will be here 11-25 April. computers. $45 obo Call Omar He will be available through the at 77689 or 8153 JTF Chaplains’ office (x2218) and For Sale- Riffe Triple Band will officiate the following Orthodox Spear Gun $250, Diving Belt- Worship Services at the NAVSTA $10. Titanium diving knife w/ sheath - $45. Call- 9735 during Chapel Annex (Room 14): duty hours or 84087 after 1800.

FRIDAY Apr. 4 8 p.m.: Captain America:Winter 10:30 p.m. Single Mom’s Club

Hair Stylist

ORTHODOX CHAPLAIN AT GTMO FOR HOLY WEEK

DOWNTOWN LYCEUM

18 April 1900 Lamentation Matins

GREAT DIVE/SNORKEL/FAMILY Navy Federal is offerring the following jobs: BOAT +30 feet barrel boat with recently refurbished 90HP Johnson Member Service Ocean Pro, inclined ladder for Representative getting on the boat with dive equipment, plenty of deck space and storage, hold 10+ people(including barrels) $5000 OBO Contact Steven 55352 or Otis 84988

ELECTRONICS

APRIL 4, 2014• PAGE 7

Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:

84578

Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:

84577

PG13

Apr. 5

PG13

PG13

Apr .6

PG13

MONDAY Apr. 7 8 p.m.: Muppets Most Wanted PG

TUESDAY 8 p.m.: Robocop

Apr. 8

PG13

WEDNESDAY Apr.9 8 p.m.: About Last Night R

THURSDAY Apr.10 8 p.m.: 300:Rise of an Empire R

CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880

Master Chief Carl M. Brashear From Carl Brashear.org

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arl M. Brashear, 75, the Navy’s first black master deep-sea diver and who later successfully fought to continue his undersea career after he became an amputee, died July 25, 2006 at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va. He had respiratory and heart ailments.

Mr. Brashear made several efforts to interest filmmakers in his life story before Cuba Gooding Jr. played him in the 2000 film “Men of Honor.” The film was generally true to Mr. Brashear’s determination at work even as it overlooked his troubled marriages and alcoholism.

“I put my naval career ahead of my family life,” he later said. “That’s just the way it was, for better or worse.”

A sharecropper’s son with minimal formal schooling, Mr. Brashear joined the Navy in 1948 and endured years of racial taunts, even death threats, as he pushed ahead for what he hoped would be a glamorous diving career.

In 1966, he lost half of his left leg in a shipboard accident. After a long struggle in physical therapy and using an artificial leg, he became the Navy’s first amputee diver. He retired in 1979 at the top enlisted rank of master chief petty officer.

Carl Maxie Brashear was born Jan. 19, 1931, in Tonieville, Ky. One of eight children, he left school after the seventh grade to help in his family’s tobacco, corn and wheat fields. He also worked in a gas station in Sonora, Ky. Hoping for more adventure, he tried to enlist in the Army in 1948 but was turned away -- months before a presidential order desegregating the armed forces. The Navy took Mr. Brashear but relegated him to the officers’ mess.

While on an aircraft carrier in 1950, he saw a mission to salvage a fighter plane that had fallen overboard.

“A Navy diver with helmet and diving suit was sent out to the ship and went down about 50 feet to attach lines to the plane,” Mr. Brashear once told a Norfolk reporter. “Everyone on ship was looking at him.

No one had ever paid much attention to me. I immediately thought that diving was something I wanted to do.”

He began sending letters requesting admission to the Navy salvage diving school, but his notes usually went missing or unanswered.

Although admitted to salvage diving school in 1954, he was constantly harassed by classmates, sometimes with direct threats on his life. He graduated the next year and became a salvage diver, retrieving

sunken planes, ships and World War II torpedoes that he would sometimes have to detonate.

In 1960, he completed his general equivalency diploma and entered the Navy’s deep-sea diving school in Washington. Mr. Brashear said he failed the school’s science tests many times before buckling down and graduating in 1964.

Two years later, he was on the salvage ship USS Hoist off the southeastern coast of Spain. He was helping direct the recovery of a hydrogen bomb resting on a ledge 2,000 feet below the surface of the Mediterranean Sea; the plane ferrying the bomb had crashed in the sea.

During the recovery, a cable on the ship suddenly faltered and caused a steel pipe to tumble to the deck. Mr. Brashear shoved another sailor out of danger, but he was hit in the leg and suffered massive bleeding.

His leg was amputated at the naval hospital in Portsmouth. With support from the hospital commandant, he began a stressful physical therapy course that would allow him not only to resume his career, but also help him reach his ultimate goal of becoming the Navy’s first black master diver.

He made dives in a 290-pound suit to depths of 200 feet and tended to his wounds himself to hide the severity of the bleeding.

“Sometimes I would come back from a run and my artificial leg would have a puddle of blood from my stump,” he told an interviewer from the U.S. Naval Institute in 1989. “I wouldn’t go to sick bay. In that year, if I had gone to sick bay, they would have written me up. . . . I’d go somewhere and hide and soak my leg in a bucket of hot water with salt in it -- an old remedy. Then I’d get up the next morning and run.”

In 1967, he persuaded skeptical officials at the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine to clear him for diving duty. He qualified in 1970 as a master diver.

After retiring from active duty, he spent several years involved in classified work for the Navy Department. After the biographic film came out in 2000, he was deluged with letters from amputees, and he answered them all. He also began giving inspirational lectures.

On September 18, 2008, more than 3000 people visited the NASSCO Shipyard in San Diego, California to witness history. The seventh Lewis and Clark class Auxiliary Dry Cargo ship was officially given the name of Carl Brashear.

APRIL 4, 2014• PAGE 7