Getting to Know the First Black Navy SEALs

Fred "Tiz" Morrison, thought to be the first Black Navy SEAL, technically served as a "frogman" on an underwater demolition team, the precursor to today's Navy SEALs.

According to Navy.mil, Morrison was a second-class petty officer and was known as an expert in underwater demolition. He served in World War II and served as a member of Underwater Demolition Team 1 in 1948. He also served on Underwater Demolition Team 12 in Korea and was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions there.  

While many recognize Morrison as the first Black SEAL, the first two official teams were not formed until 1962 under President John F. Kennedy's direction. Now-retired Master Chief William Goines graduated from Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training in 1956 but was serving as a frogman in 1962 when he was assigned to SEAL Team Two, making him the first Black to serve under the newly created designation.

According to Cincinnati.com, Goines served all over the world, including a stint in Cuba during the missile crisis, and he did three combat tours in Vietnam. He then spent time on the early version of the Navy's parachute team but was injured in a jump and then retired in 1987. He went on to serve as a school police chief and worked with the Navy to help recruit young men for SEAL training and increase diversity in the teams.

He was also honored as a special guest at the opening of the African American History Museum in Washington, D.C. When asked by Navy.mil about his service, Goines said, "I had always wanted to be a SEAL. It was, and continues to be hard work, along with sheer determination that sets SEALs apart."

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