John Henry Turpin, Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy, circa in the 1940s (NH 89471) - Original

Per history.navy.mil: John Henry ("Dick") Turpin, Chief Gunner's Mate, USN (retired) (1876-1962), one of the first African-American Chief Petty Officers in the United States Navy. Turpin survived the explosions of USS Maine (ACR-1) in 1898 and USS Bennington (PG-4) in 1905, reportedly the only person to survive both.

This photograph appears to have been taken during or after World War II. Turpin enlisted in the Navy in 1896. A survivor of the explosions on USS Maine (1898) and USS Bennington (1905), he became a Chief Gunner's Mate in 1917. Transferred to the Fleet Reserve in 1919, CGM Turpin retired in 1925. Qualified as a Master Diver, he was also employed as a Master Rigger at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, and, during the World War II era, made inspirational visits to U.S. Navy Training Centers and defense plants.

us navy images from the naval history and heritage command john henry turpin originals uss maine ship 1895 ultra high resolution high resolution united states navy

1940

Naval History and Heritage Command

http://commons.wikimedia.org/

public domain