Son of Legendary Diver Speaks at CNRMA

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Tim Comerford, Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The son of Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear, the first African-American to qualify and serve as a master diver in the Navy, spoke at Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic's African-American/Black History Month celebration, March 3

Army Warrant Officer Phillip Brashear related his father's legacy and his own determination as an African-American.

"First of all, I'd like to say I feel honored to be here," Brashear said. "I'm a helicopter pilot, and I've spent time in Iraq. During my time in Iraq, I (had) been shot at a lot. So for me to be here before you, 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds – being a big target for insurgents to get – I just want to thank God and the military I am here today."

He said the honor of being able to assume his occupation was due to innovators of the past.

"I wouldn't even be flying Blackhawk helicopters if it weren't for a special group that we always should recognize – the Tuskegee Airmen," said Brashear. "I fly a multi-million dollar aircraft because they taught America, and the world, that it doesn't matter what color of skin you are. If you have the mental capacity – you can do anything you want in life."

The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American pilots who fought in World War II. Formerly, they were called the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. Brashear said the Tuskegee Airmen may have made him a pilot, but the person who made him a man, was his father.

"I wouldn't be a man if it weren't for Carl Brashear," Brashear said. "It is true, my father was introduced into the Navy as a cook, or steward, because back in those days that is all a black man could do. He was introduced to diving when he saw a diver bring up a wrecked sea plane, and he was just so amazed at what a gentleman was doing, he wanted to do that.

"It was a pretty hard goal even to get to the school, but he achieved that goal," Brashear said.

In 1966, while serving aboard the USS Hoist, Brashear was severely injured while diving in search of a nuclear bomb dropped from an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress following a collision with a KC-135 Stratotanker during in-flight refueling off the coast of Palomares, Spain. The incident resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee.

Following two years of recovery and rehabilitation, the determined Brashear achieved recertification as a diver, eventually becoming the first African-American master diver in 1970. He retired from the Navy in 1979 as a master chief petty officer.

Brashear said that his father was exceptional even when he was his own worst enemy.

"Later, toward the end of his career, he developed alcoholism," said Brashear. "And people ask me, 'Why do you bring up alcoholism? Your father was a great man.' Well, he did develop alcoholism, but you know what? He went to the school and he defeated it."

He said his father defies even the borders of Black History Month.

"To put my dad in the category of Black History Month is kind of like putting him in a small cage," said Brashear. "My father overcame being black, being poor, being undereducated, being handicapped, and eventually fought a drug and alcohol problem that he won. So there are whole bunch of months my father is eligible to be part of."

Phillip Brashear had his own goals, but when he joined the Navy, his finding what he wanted to do was similar to his father's experience.

"I was so impressed when I saw those enlisted guys getting off the helicopters and those pilots," said Brashear. "I knew that's what I wanted to do. Believe me, my life was not easy just because my father was Carl Brashear."

Brashear spoke about the time when he had to take a swim test to become an aircrewman, and could not get around part of it.

"I failed that test three times," he said. "The fourth time I took that test, they called my dad to come to the pool and see me. I passed the test and became an aircrewman. That test reminded me of what my dad went through; he never took no for an answer and always kept trying to do what he wanted to do. In our household you couldn't say the words 'I can't' – it was either, 'I will' or 'I'll try.'"

After he qualified as an aircrewman, he realized he wanted more and became one the U.S. Army's flying warrant officers.

"If he hadn't passed down the ethic of never giving up, I wouldn't be where I am today," said Brashear. "It is something to be the son of Carl Brashear because for the rest of my life there is nothing I can give up on. I will always have to achieve to make something out of myself, because that is what he did."

Brashear said events like African-American History Month are very significant.

"History has gaps, and I want to fill in the gaps," said Brashear. "Service members need to be told the history (so they will) learn to never to give up. We will have a whole lot more admirals, generals, doctors, lawyers and every other job that they might want. The sky is the limit."

Carl Brashear was featured in the 2000 Hollywood movie "Men of Honor".