When was carl brashear born

Through remarkable courage and force of will, he convinced Navy officers that he was capable of performing his duty, even as an amputee. Not only did he continue to dive, but he also went on to earn his master diver certification in , becoming the first black master diver in Naval history.

Master Chief Brashear's heroic life story and indomitable spirit became the basis for the film, "Men of Honor".

Skip to main navigation Skip to main content. Toggle left navigation Nav. Toggle navigation Menu. Toggle navigation. Navy Installations Historic Former U. Navy Women in the U. Navy Hispanic Americans in the U. Navy Contributions of Native Americans to the U. Notable People ». April D. Beldo Carl M. The pipe struck his left leg, causing him to lose so much blood that he was nearly pronounced dead when he arrived at a local hospital.

Brashear remained at the hospital for almost a year recovering from the amputation. After recovery, Brashear was assigned to the Norfolk Harbor Clearance Unit Two, where he returned to active diving duty in A year later, he became the first amputee to be recertified as a navy diver.

In , Brashear became the first African American to become a master diver. Nine years later, he retired from the navy as a master petty officer and master diver. He later served as a civilian employee for the government at Naval Station Norfolk Virginia , retiring from that position in Brashear was motivated by his beliefs that "It's not a sin to get knocked down; it's a sin to stay down" and "I ain't going to let nobody steal my dream.

Brashear's story is dramatized in the motion picture Men of Honor , in which Carl was portrayed by actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. Brashear was honored with the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in October for 42 years of combined military and federal civilian service. The award was presented by Secretary of Defense William Cohen.

General Dynamics delivered the completed ship to the Navy on 4 March Brashear married and divorced three times: Junetta Wilcoxson , Hattie R. Elam , and Jeanette A. Brundage He had four children: Shazanta Private, U.