Pearl Harbor Gram

HONOR BESTOWED UPON A Pearl Harbor Survivor

US Navy’s newest Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer, named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and Pearl Harbor Survivor, the Delbert D. Black entered service on Saturday, September 26, 2020. Black was on the USS Maryland on December 7, 1941, served aboard a variety of ships during his 30 years in the Navy, and eventually reached the highest possible enlisted rank during the Vietnam War. GMCM Black was the first Navy enlisted man awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite spoke of Black at the commissioning ceremony. “Master Chief Black fought for increased sea-pay, family support programs, expanded uniform guidance and a host of other issues that improved the quality of life of not only junior enlisted, but all sailors and officers. By making life better for sailors, he made our Navy stronger for us all.”