Carl Maxie Brashear (born on January 19, 1931) was the first African-American to become a United States Navy diver, in the early 1950s. On January 17, 1966, he suffered an accident while on duty, which left him without a leg. After a long struggle, he became the first amputee to be certified as a diver, in April 1968.

He was born in Tonieville , Larue County, Kentucky (USA). Brashear retired from the U.S. Navy in 1979 as a Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) and master diver . He then served as a civilian employee for the government and retired in 1993 with the grade of GS-11 .

In 2000, Brashear's military service was portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the film Men of Honor.

Decorations and medals

• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• China Service Medal
• Good Conduct Medal (eight awards)
• Korean Service Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Navy Achievement Medal
• Navy and Marine Corps Medal
• Navy Commendation Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• Presidential Unit Citation
• United Nations Medal

External links

• Brashear's biographical profile at the U.S. Naval Historical Center

References

• Stillwell, Paul. The Reminiscences of Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Carl Brashear. Annapolis, MD: United States Institute. 1998.