Photos: First Black Navy EOD Tech honored at Pentagon
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BMCM Sherman Byrd honored Master Chief Boatswain's Mate (BMCM) Sherman Byrd served on 10 ships and supported the protection of 4 U.S. presidents. (Pentagon)
Pentagon EOD Exhibit Unveiling Family members of Sherman Byrd, the first African American Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, attend the Pentagon EOD corridor exhibit unveiling in Arlington, Va., April 23, 2024. The EOD Exhibit is the first and only exhibit of its kind in the Pentagon and represents the history, mission, culture, and tools of the Joint EOD Force. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann) (Christopher Kaufmann/Christopher Kaufmann)
Grad in Key West Byrd graduated from the elite Naval Underwater Swimmer School in Key West, Florida. (Pentagon)
Pentagon EOD Exhibit Unveiling Family members of Sherman Byrd, the first African American Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, attend the Pentagon EOD corridor exhibit unveiling in Arlington, Va., April 23, 2024. The EOD Exhibit is the first and only exhibit of its kind in the Pentagon and represents the history, mission, culture, and tools of the Joint EOD Force. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann) (Christopher Kaufmann/Christopher Kaufmann)
Promoted In 1969, Sherman Byrd was promoted to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate, a rank that only 1% of all enlisted personnel achieve. (Pentagon)
Pentagon EOD Exhibit Unveiling Family and friends attend the Pentagon Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) corridor exhibit unveiling in Arlington, Va., April 23, 2024. The EOD Exhibit is the first and only exhibit of its kind in the Pentagon and represents the history, mission, culture, and tools of the Joint EOD Force. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann) (Christopher Kaufmann/Christopher Kaufmann)
First Black Navy EOD technician DMCM Sherman Byrd is being honored at the Pentagon. (Pentagon)
Pentagon EOD Exhibit Unveiling Family members of Sherman Byrd, the first African American Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, attend the Pentagon EOD corridor exhibit unveiling in Arlington, Va., April 23, 2024. The EOD Exhibit is the first and only exhibit of its kind in the Pentagon and represents the history, mission, culture, and tools of the Joint EOD Force. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann) (Christopher Kaufmann/Christopher Kaufmann)
Pentagon EOD Exhibit Unveiling Family members of Sherman Byrd, the first African American Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, attend the Pentagon EOD corridor exhibit unveiling in Arlington, Va., April 23, 2024. The EOD Exhibit is the first and only exhibit of its kind in the Pentagon and represents the history, mission, culture, and tools of the Joint EOD Force. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann) (Christopher Kaufmann/Christopher Kaufmann)
Pentagon EOD Exhibit Unveiling Melissa Dalton, performing the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Thomas Vail, Senior EOD Plans and Policy Analyst, cut the ribbon at the Pentagon’s new Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) corridor exhibit during its unveiling in Arlington, Va., April 23, 2024. The EOD Exhibit is the first and only exhibit of its kind in the Pentagon and represents the history, mission, culture, and tools of the Joint EOD Force. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Kaufmann) (Christopher Kaufmann/Christopher Kaufmann)