United States Navy Sailor. He was the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. Raised in Oklahoma, he graduated from high school in 1940 and joined the US Navy on March 14, 1941. Following boot camp in San Diego, California, he was assigned to the battleship USS Maryland (BB-46) and was at Pearl Harbor during the attack of December 7, 1941. Over his career Black spent 21 of his 30 years aboard a variety of ships while advancing to the rank of Master Chief Gunner's Mate (GMCM). On January 13, 1967, he was appointed Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations, a post in which he continued until retirement on April 1, 1971. After leaving active duty he remained busy with the USO and the Fleet Reserve Association until his death from a heart attack. GMCM Black was the first Navy enlisted man awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
United States Navy Sailor. He was the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. Raised in Oklahoma, he graduated from high school in 1940 and joined the US Navy on March 14, 1941. Following boot camp in San Diego, California, he was assigned to the battleship USS Maryland (BB-46) and was at Pearl Harbor during the attack of December 7, 1941. Over his career Black spent 21 of his 30 years aboard a variety of ships while advancing to the rank of Master Chief Gunner's Mate (GMCM). On January 13, 1967, he was appointed Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations, a post in which he continued until retirement on April 1, 1971. After leaving active duty he remained busy with the USO and the Fleet Reserve Association until his death from a heart attack. GMCM Black was the first Navy enlisted man awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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FIRST MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE NAVY
PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR
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