An Appropriate Honor

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It is time to bond the spirit and the name of Delbert D. Black, the U. S. Navy’s first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) with a Navy warship.

In the last few decades there have been few naval pioneers worthy of such recognition, Del Black is such a pioneer. As the first MCPON, he is the ideal each of his predecessors’ strives to follow, not simply because he was the first, just the best. There will never be another Del Black.

One of the most significant honors bestowed on an individual is the naming of a naval vessel in their honor. This honor is the prerogative of the Secretary of the Navy and since WWII; traditional naming convention has given way to a much more flexible system. Still, this man, first among all his peers and a first in the Navy, remains unrecognized.

Del Black was a man of clarity, vision and perseverance. He was a leader who worked hard to establish his position - for the Sailors benefit not his own. He developed policies and procedures to guide him in the conduct of his office that continue as the standard. He remained undeterred in the face of those who saw no value in someone working on behalf of the enlisted Sailor. He won over his critics with the quiet strength of his character. MCPON Black remains a respected and iconic figure for active and retired Chiefs.

There is a preponderance of evidence to suggest that the scales are bit unbalanced. Certainly, the first Chief of Naval Operations (as well as others) deserved the honor of a ship, the first ten received that honor, and 14 in all. The list of CNO’s with this honor also includes Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt; Del Black was his first MCPON. The following is the list of CNOs and the ships named in their honor.

William S. Benson	First CNO	DD-421, AP-120
Robert Coontz	Second CNO	DDG-40, AP-122
Edward Eberle	Third CNO	DD-430, AP-123
Charles F. Hughes	Fourth CNO	DD-428, AP-124
William V. Pratt	Fifth CNO	DDG-44
William H. Standley	Sixth CNO	CG-32
William D Leahy	Seventh CNO	DLG-16
Harold R. Stark	Eighth CNO	FFG-31
Ernest J. King	Ninth CNO	DDG-41
Chester W. Nimitz	Tenth CNO	CVN-68
Forest P. Sherman	Twelfth CNO	DD-931, DDG-98
Robert B. Carney	Fourteenth CNO	DDG-64
Arleigh Burke	Fifteenth CNO	DDG-51
Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.	Nineteenth CNO	DDG-1000

In addition to the Zumwalt (DDG-1000), the Secretary of the Navy designated DDG-1001 the Michael Monsoor, the second SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor. DDG-1002 is yet unnamed, though curiously there is a civilian move to request SecNav name it for Robert Heinlein, the science fiction writer and former naval officer, until medically discharged after 5 years service (1929-1934).

Ships honor astronauts (Alan Sheppard), presidents and politicians, heroes such as Michael Moonsor, naval leaders and innovators and even a comedian (Bob Hope). Del Black should also have that honor for his pioneering service. His particular humility might see it as recognition for all Sailors, though he himself would also feel the honor undeserved. DDG-1002 should be the Delbert D. Black.

References:

MCPON Delbert D. Black

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delbert_Black

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dblack.htm

http://www.quarterdeck.org/WindsOfChange/012-29%20MCPON%20Black.htm

William S. Benson – First CNO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_S._Benson

Robert Coontz – Second CNO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Coontz

Edward Eberle – Third CNO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_W._Eberle

Charles F. Hughes – Fourth CNO