Lawrence Cleveland Chambers | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Larry" |
Born | Bedford, Virginia, U.S. | June 10, 1929
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1952–1984 |
Rank | Rear admiral |
Commands | USS Midway (CV-41) USS Coral Sea (CV-43) Carrier Strike Group Three |
Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Bronze Star[1] Vietnam Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal |
Lawrence Cleveland "Larry" Chambers (born June 10, 1929) is the first African American to command a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and the first African-American graduate of the Naval Academy to reach flag rank.[2] While in command of USS Midway during Operation Frequent Wind, Chambers gave the controversial order to push overboard millions of dollars' worth of UH-1 Huey helicopters so Republic of Vietnam Air Force Major Buang-Ly could land on the aircraft carrier in a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog with his wife and five children, thereby saving their lives.[3]
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