Brashear, Carl Maxie

▪ 2007

      American deep-sea diver (b. Jan. 19, 1931, Tonieville, Ky.—d. July 25, 2006, Portsmouth, Va.), was the first African American to become a master diver for the U.S. Navy. He was also the first navy diver to be returned to full active duty as an amputee, having lost his left leg as the result of an injury suffered during a salvage operation in 1966. His life story was later depicted in the film Men of Honor (2000), starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. Brashear retired from the navy in 1979, after 31 years of service.

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