July 12, 2017 | By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua E. Walters, Defense Media Activity The military ranks are lined with men and women who go above and beyond what is required of them to get the job done. Some specialized jobs, such as Navy diver, require Sailors to push themselves further and harder to overcome obstacles in their lives, personal or professional. “A Navy diver is someone who has proven to themselves to get through any situation, and when the going gets tough, isn’t going to turn their back and quit,” said Navy Read More…

July 12, 2017 | By Staff Sgt. Teresa J. Cleveland | 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer Phillip Brashear, 11th Aviation Command CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot, shares stories and photos of his father, Carl Brashear, during the Fort Eustis Diamond Council’s leadership luncheon at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., June 28, 2017. Carl Brashear, who passed away in 2006, was the first African American graduate from the U.S. Diving and Salvage School in Bayonne, New Jersey and the first African American U.S. Navy diver. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Teresa Read More…

February 14, 2017 | By Yessenia Chavez It’s a story about motivation and perseverance. This is what Chief Warrant Officer 4 Phillip Brashear said to many who gathered at the Rock Island Arsenal in honor of National African American History Month Observance. His father, Carl Brashear, was the first African American Master Diver for the U.S Navy. Brashear’s father battled through many obstacles during his time in the Navy but his perseverance to overcome them came on top. “The five things my father overcame was racism, poverty, illiteracy, physical disability, and drug and alcoholism. He Read More…

Carl Brashear (US Navy) and Phillip Brashear (USN, US Army) February 8, 2017 | Article and photos by Gary Lehman – Dive News Network Man of Honor: Carl Brashear Dive News Network (DNN) caught up to Carl Brashear’s son Phillip in Richmond, Virginia to talk about the Carl Brashear Foundation and about his father’s US Navy career, his life and times and achievements. Some of our readers have seen and will remember the fine film Men Of Honor (2000) starring Cuba Gooding as Seaman (ultimately Master Chief Petty Officer and Master Diver) Carl Brashear, with Read More…

On April 29, 2016, Phillip Brashear shared the life and values of the late Master Chief, Master Diver (retired) Carl Brashear to a group of Cosby High School students in Midlothian, Va. Phillip showed videos of the late Carl Brashear in a local news interview, a dedication of the Newport News Fireboat in 2005, and the christening ceremony of the USNS Carl Brashear in 2008. Phillip then held a discussion of the life-lessons he learned from his parents and the impact it had on his life. The students involved belong to English teachers Heather Leckie Read More…

CW4 Phillip Brashear carries a blessing and a burden, but that’s what comes with being Carl’s son. The blessing is having a father that everyone loves and respects. The burden is having your career in the shadows. Phillip’s father was Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) and Master US Navy Diver, Carl Brashear (1931-2006), whose story as the US Navy’s first African-American Master Diver was portrayed in the movie Men of Honor. His character played by Cuba Gooding Jr. In March 1966 Carl was severely injured and suffered an amputation of his leg during a deck Read More…

By Bill Mesta, Military Sealift Command Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS) — Military Sealift Command’s Special Emphasis Observance Committee hosted a Black History Month celebration on board Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 24. “Today we will celebrate African American, Black History Month,” said Clarence White of MSC Executive Office and the master of ceremonies for the event. “Black History Month, also known as National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their accomplishments throughout the history of the United States.” “When February approaches, there seems to Read More…

Oris commemorates the life of Carl Brashear Oris is extremely honoured to introduce its first bronze watch remembering the extraordinary life of Carl Brashear, the U.S. Navy’s first African American master diver. After a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy that lasted more than 30 years, Brashear retired in 1979. He died in 2006 aged 75. His extraordinary story was the inspiration for the 2000 film Men of Honour, in which Brashear was portrayed by Oscarwinning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. The watch marking Brashear’s life and character is the first Oris watch to be made Read More…

CW4 Phillip Brashear was invited to speak to the White House Communication Staff on October 1, 2015 in Washington D.C. A member of the staff is a friend of Brashear and wanted his fellow staff members to learn more about the late Master Chief and Master Diver Carl Brashear as an example of personal and professional development. The crowd present was a mixture of military personnel, civil servants, and contractors who are responsible for all communications entering and leaving the White House as well as audio-visual, and internet support. As Phillip spoke about the trials, Read More…

Junetta Brashear passed away peacefully in her residence at Harbor Tower Apartments in Portsmouth Virginia. Junetta was the only child born to the late Walton and Cora Wilcoxson, in Magnolia Kentucky on June 10th 1933. “June”, as she was affectionately called, was an attractive, spirited, compassionate, and thoughtful young lady who could light up any room with her piercing high pitched voice and bright dimpled smile. June was educated in the Hardin County School System and received her high school diploma. She promptly set her course toward becoming a licensed beautician where she would be Read More…