William Goines was a decorated U.S. Navy veteran who was the first Black SEAL and a Lone Sailor award recipient.
· Died: June 10, 2024 (Who else died on June 10?)
· Details of death: Died in Norfolk, Virginia at the age of 87.
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William Goines’ legacy
When William Goines was young, he saw a film showing Navy frogmen conducting underwater demolition operations during World War II. He knew right then what he wanted to do in life. After graduating from Lockland Wayne High School in Ohio, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1962, when President John F. Kennedy formed the first two Navy SEAL teams, Goines was among Team Two’s elite 40 chosen, and he was the only Black serviceman selected.
He was sent to Vietnam, where he was exposed to Agent Orange and served three tours, participating in numerous combat jumps. Goines was fluent in English, French and Spanish, and the only reason he did not serve a fourth tour is because his language skills were needed elsewhere. In 1976, after the war, he was picked to be part of the Navy Parachute Demonstration Team Chuting Stars.
Goines served 32 years in the Navy, retiring in 1987 as a Master Chief Petty Officer. During his time in the service, he earned the Navy Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon and the Presidential Unit Citation. After retiring, he was a chief of police for the school system in Portsmouth, Virginia for 14 years; later, he traveled the country working to increase diversity among the SEALS, helping recruit young people of color into the service. In 2023, he was recognized with a Lone Sailor Award for his post-retirement community work.
On his mission as a SEAL:
“I remember asking this lieutenant what was our mission gonna be? And he said, ‘It’s too secret to talk about.’” —Interview with NBC News, 2019
Tributes to William Goines
Full obituary: WAVY
