Cohen honors black Navy diver

Cohen, far left, Navy diver Eric Tilford, second from left, Gooding Jr., second from right and Brashear, right

WASHINGTON (AP) -- About a week after the attack on the USS Cole, the Defense Department took a moment Saturday to honor the first black man to achieve the Navy's highest status among deep-sea divers such as those who joined in the Cole rescue operation.

Defense Secretary William Cohen presented the department's second-highest civilian award to retired Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear, who served in the Navy from 1948 to 1979. He became a master diver even after having a foot amputated because of injuries received during a rescue operation.

"We have witnessed the triumph of one man's incredible spirit, the triumph over all the obstacles that were laid in his path," Cohen said at a reception to present Brashear the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service.

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"He entered the water carrying extra weight, the weight of racism, the weight of disability, and yet he emerged from the seas to be called a master diver, saving the lives of his fellow sailors."

The reception followed an advance screening of the film "Men of Honor," based on Brashear's military experiences. "It was a fabulous career," Brashear said after receiving the award. "It wasn't a bed of roses, but it was so rewarding."

Among those at the ceremony were Navy Secretary Richard Danzig and actor Cuba Gooding Jr., who plays Brashear in the film.

Cohen compared Brashear's struggles to those of the sailors on the Cole, particularly one sailor with a leg injury who wished to attend a memorial for 17 shipmates killed in the Oct. 12 terrorist bombing of the destroyer. That sailor, whom Cohen did not identify, said, "I'll have my leg amputated after the ceremony is over," Cohen said. The sailor had a compound ankle fracture that had become infected.

Cohen said Navy divers like Brashear were among those who responded to the attack on the Cole. "They were over there helping to save lives, to recover the wounded and indeed the remains of those we have lost, and to keep that ship afloat," Cohen said.

The film, which also stars Robert de Niro, is scheduled for general release Nov. 10.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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