America’s First Black Navy SEAL, Bill Goines, Forged Through Adversity

Bill Goines followed his dream to become a Navy Frogman in the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT21) in the 1950s. After intense evaluations he was invited to join SEAL TEAM 2, a new commando unit in unconventional warfare formed by President John F. Kennedy. He became the first black Navy SEAL.

Bill Goines is an American hero with an exceptional life story-they say it's destined for the Big Screen. He completed three tours in Vietnam fighting the Communist Viet Cong and orchestrated over 100 dangerous missions without ever getting shot before attaining the highest enlisted rank in the navy. While the community of U.S Navy SEALs largely accepted him for his superior abilities, he still struggled for racial acceptance at home during the Civil Rights era-many anecdotal experiences in segregated downtown Norfolk. However with the help from within the brotherhood of SEALs, Bill is able to desegregate public facilities and obviates the color spectrum through superior skills.

His story reflects the core essence of the films: "Hidden Figures", "Black Panther" and "Captain America" all rolled into one. And his Combat V awards tell the story.