NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – William Harvey Goines, America’s first Black Navy SEAL, died at the age of 87 on Monday, June 10. His service will be held in Norfolk later this month.
Goines, who was born in Ohio in 1936, was a part of the establishment of the original Navy SEALs in 1962 and retired as Master Chief Petty Officer from the SEALs in 1987.
According to a post from NBC BLK, over the course of his 32-year career, Goines jumped out of moving planes on stealth missions, swam for miles unaided and survived the trenches of Vietnam after exposure to Agent Orange, earning the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Gene Jones, who called Goines Uncle Bill, spoke about their relationship.
“Well, uncle Bill, he was a private gentleman,” Jones said. “But at the same time, he wanted to share his experience and knowledge with others.”
After his career with the Navy, Goines dedicated his time traveling around the country in the hopes of recruiting young men and women of color to the Navy SEALs. He also served as the chief of police for a school system while living in Virginia for 14 years.
Jones also discussed when Goines told him to never have a defeatist attitude.
“When I was a kid at 12 years old, he told me that and I said, ‘what is a non defeatist attitude?’ Uncle Bill said you don’t quit,” Jones said.
In September of 2023, Goines was awarded the Lone Sailor Award, which is given to Sea Service veterans who excelled in their careers both during and after service.
A release from the United States Navy Memorial states that Goines enlisted in the Navy in 1955 and was fluent in English, French and Spanish. Despite initially struggling to learn Vietnamese, he was able to teach Spanish to Vietnamese interpreters.
A service for Goines will be held on Friday, June 21 at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk starting at 11 a.m. For more information on the service, visit Graves Funeral Home’s website here.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
