Delbert Black

Delbert D. Black
1st Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Born	11 July 1922(1922-07-11) Orr, Oklahoma
Died	5 March 2000(2000-03-05) (aged 77) Winter Park, Florida
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1941–1971
Rank	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Commands held	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Battles/wars	World War II *Attack on Pearl Harbor
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Delbert D. Black (11 July 1922 – 5 March 2000) was the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, from 13 January 1967 to 1 April 1971.

Biography

Black was born in Orr, Oklahoma, graduating from high school in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Navy on 14 March 1941.

Upon completion of recruit training in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Maryland (BB-46) and was aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. He later served at Receiving Station, Pearl Harbor; USS Doyle C. Barnes (DE-353); Naval Air Base, Samar, Philippines; USS Gardiners Bay (AVP-39); USS Boxer (CVA-21); USS Antietam (CVA-36); U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, Washington, D.C.; Yokosuka, Japan ship repair facilities; USS Brush (DD-745); USS Carpenter (DDE-825); USS Norfolk (DL-1); Recruiting Duty, Columbia, Tennessee; USS Springfield (CL-66); and Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center (FAAWTC), Dam Neck, Virginia. During his career, he advanced from striking for the rate of Gunner's Mate to the rank of Master Chief.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

On 13 January 1967, the Secretary of the Navy announced that Master Chief Gunner's Mate (GMCM) Black was appointed as the first Senior Enlisted Advisor, the position that would evolve into Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. As such, he was the highest ranking enlisted man in the U.S. Navy, serving as the enlisted representative to the Chief of Naval Operations. He counseled the highest Navy brass on problems associated with enlisted guidance, leadership, and policy.

Retirement and later work

Current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick D. West lays a single red rose at the gravesite of the first MCPON Delbert Black at Arlington National Cemetery.

Upon retirement from active duty, Master Chief Black continued his involvement with the Navy through retired and active duty organizations. He was an active member of the USO Council of Central Florida; the Fleet Reserve Association; and Co-Chairman on the Secretary of Navy Committee on Retired Personnel. He died at his home in Winter Park, Florida at the age of 77. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 11, Site 496 LH.^[1]

Awards and decorations

	Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Master Chief Black was the first Navy enlisted man to receive this award.)
	Navy Unit Commendation
	Navy Good Conduct Medal (with 7 service stars)
	China Service Medal
	American Defense Service Medal (with 1 campaign star)
	American Campaign Medal
	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with 8 campaign stars)
	World War II Victory Medal
	Navy Occupation Service Medal
	National Defense Service Medal (with 1 service star)
	Korean Service Medal
	Antarctica Service Medal
	Vietnam Service Medal (with 3 service stars)
	Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with Palm)
	Philippine Liberation Medal (with 2 service stars)
	United Nations Korean Medal
	Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 1960 bar)
	Korean War Service Medal

References

	Biography portal
	United States Navy portal
	World War II portal

1. ^ http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dblack.htm

• Biography
• Biography at quarterdeck.org

Military offices
Preceded by First MCPON	1st Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy 13 JAN 1967 – 1 APR 1971	Succeeded by John Whittet

Persondata
Name	Black, Delbert
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	11 July 1922
Place of birth	Orr, Oklahoma
Date of death	5 March 2000
Place of death	Winter Park, Florida