Tripoli 101: Carl Brashear-Tripoli Sailor

MS, UNITED STATES

02.15.2019

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Julian R Moorefield III 

USS Tripoli (LHA 7)

By: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julian Moorefield
Tripoli’s namesake has a long and storied past, filled with many milestones and many famous leaders. In honor of Black History Month, a spotlight will be shined on one of USS Tripoli’s (CVE-64) most famous Sailors, Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl M. Brashear.
Brashear enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and graduated in May from Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. From there he served with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1) and USS Palau (CVE-122) where he became inspired to become a Navy Diver after witnessing a salvage exercise. Brashear then reported for duty aboard Tripoli in November of 1951 and started on his path to achieve his dream.
While aboard Tripoli, Brashear served as a petty officer in Second Division and a Master-at-Arms. Brashear also participated in the command’s boxing team earning a shot at the Tripoli heavyweight title. Brashear never gave up hope on his dream of becoming a Navy Diver though.
After sending dozens of requests to attend the Navy’s diving school in Bayonne, N.J., Brashear was finally accepted into the program and given Temporary Additional Duty orders to Salvage Diving School from Tripoli. Brashear had become the first African American in the history to be selected for diving school.
Even though he had been selected for diving school, Brashear faced one of the greatest obstacles in his career, acceptance. In addition to the rigors of school, both physical and academically, he consistently dealt with continuous insults, isolation, fights, and even death threats from his fellow shipmates. Through all of this, his perseverance had allowed him to attain his dream of becoming a Navy Diver.
After graduation from Salvage Diving School, Brashear returned briefly to USS Tripoli to start his career as a Navy Diver. Before leaving Tripoli, Brashear managed to take part in the recovery of 3-inch/50 caliber ammunition that had been lost by USS Bennington (CVS20) near Brooklyn, N.Y., as well as the recovery of a TBM Avenger aircraft from Tripoli.
In the following years after Tripoli, Brashear’s skills as a diver would allow him to make a name for himself. His abilities opened a door with his shipmates, they began to accept him, include him, and even form close friendships from their shared bonds of service.
1966, another crushing blow was dealt to Brashear’s dream of becoming a Master Diver. While serving aboard the USS Hoist (ARS-40) a snapped cable during normal operations severing his left leg and nearly killing him. In an effort to save his career Brashear had doctors amputate his leg below his knee and fit him with a prostheses.
After a long and difficult road to recovery, he persevered by the shear strength of his will and was able return to full duty and continue his dream of becoming a Master Diver. In 1970, he achieved his dream and became the first African-American in the history of the Navy to become a Master Diver. He was later promoted to Master Chief in 1971 aboard the USS Recovery (ARS-43) and retired from active duty in 1979.
Though his tour with USS Tripoli was only the beginning of his historic career, the crew of the current USS Tripoli (LHA-7) should take pride in having a shared connection with Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl M. Brashear.

• Date Taken: 02.15.2019
• Date Posted: 12.17.2019 16:09
• Story ID: 356083
• Location: MS, US