NORFOLK — William “Bill” Goines, the first Black man to serve as a Navy SEAL, died this week. He was 88.
Goines was among the first group chosen to serve on the special operations force when it was created in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. There were two teams initially — Team One on the West Coast, and Team Two on the East Coast. Goines was one of 40 men selected for Team Two, and was the only Black man.
“He was a great guy, a great teammate and a great instructor,” said Rick Woolard, a retired SEAL who served with Goines for many years, beginning in 1966. “He led quietly and effectively and was respected by all the trainees.”
An Ohio native, Goines enlisted in the Navy in 1955 after being inspired by the movie “The Frogmen.” He graduated from underwater team demolition training the following year, and served as a frogman until he was selected for the SEALs.
Goines served three tours in Vietnam with SEAL teams. He was chosen in 1976 to join the Chuting Stars, a Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, and served for five years, according to the Navy.
He retired in 1987 as a master chief petty officer after 32 years of service. He then worked as Portsmouth schools’ police chief for more than a decade, and later volunteered to help recruit minorities into the SEALs.
In a November 2018 interview with The Virginian-Pilot, Goines talked about the discrimination he dealt with during his early Navy years. He also discussed health problems he’d been having, which he thought might be associated with exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
Goines received many awards and medals, including the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Last year, the U.S. Navy Memorial presented him with the Lone Sailor Award during a gala dinner in Washington. The award is presented to Sea Service veterans who have excelled with distinction in their respective careers during or after their service.
“At 87 years old, Master Chief William ‘Bill’ Goines is a towering figure who loves the Navy,” Retired Rear Admiral Julius Caesar said in nominating him for the honor. “He excelled as a Navy SEAL deploying on dangerous missions and was a part of the early establishment of the Navy SEALS in 1962. Master Chief Goines faced headwinds as the first African American Navy SEAL but overcame them through grit, determination, and a love of the Nation. He’s an inspiration to all through his humility.”
Two of Goines’ military patches from his time with the underwater demolition team and the parachute team are on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 21 at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk. A visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. June 20 at Graves Funeral Home in Norfolk.
Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
