Legendary Navy diver Brashear dies

WVEC ^ | 7/25/06

[Borges]

He made history as the first African American US Navy Master Diver.

Tuesday afternoon, 75-year-old Carl Brashear died at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth,

His story was told in the 2000 film “Men of Honor,” and he was portrayed by actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Brashear joined the United States Navy in 1948 at the age of 17. He became the only amputee deep-sea diver to reach the status of Master Diver and was the only black man to ever become Master Diver of the United States Navy, a position he held from 1975 to 1977, according to the Navy.

He retired as a Boatswains Mate Master Chief.

Naval hospital officials said Brashear died at 2:45 p.m. of respiratory and heart failure.

His Marine Corps helicopter pilot son, Phillip, was home from Iraq on emergency leave and was at his father’s side.

“Carl Brashear was a man of integrity. He was well-loved and admired by the hospital staff,” said NMCP Commander Rear Adm. Thomas Cullison. “It was an honor to provide the care for this American hero. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family members.”

[Professional Engineer]

[Wolfstar]

The Navy Hymn
Following are the original words written as a poem in 1860 by William Whiting. Music by Rev. John Bacchus Dykes, published in 1861.

Verse 1: Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Verse 2: O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Verse 3: Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Verse 4: O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

[b9]

Thank you for the opportunity for some reflective sweet thinking to the tune of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

~ wonderful contribution to this thread ~

[b9]

So glad to see a picture of this magnificent, brave man.

~ thank you ~

[Marine_Uncle]

Truly. Such men served with honor. God gave him a rather unique way of showing generations to come, just how dedicated one can be in performing very difficult work.
May the Lord now give him rest in HIS abode.

[NYleatherneck]

Thanks for the ping ma...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Bump

[Archer24]

God help and keep you always Master Chief!

God help and protect your family Master Chief.

R I P

[spetznaz]

An American. A hero. A paragon. An inspiration.

I would say 'God bless,' but our Father has already blessed this man beyond words. Thus I will say 'thank you,' and hope to achieve even a fraction of what this great man has accomplished in (and with) his life.

It is men (and women) like this that made America great, and it is men (and women) like this that will ensure America's greatness in the future (as long as such people still walk the land). Furthermore it is such people who make the world a better place, at times through sacrifice, other times through hard work and applied effort; at times through ingenuity and brilliance, and some times simply by hanging on in the face of overwhelming adversity when there is absolutely no reason to. Hanging on.

For this I say thank you. And as a Kenyan who has spent a third of his life in the US let me also add thatit is people like you that make me proud to call myself American in spirit. Once again, I'd say God bless, but instead I'll say 'thank you Lord, and thank you Master Chief Brashear. Sail on. Thank you.'