Dick Turpin
*Dick Turpin was born on this date in 1876. He was a Black Navy Diver, inventor, and officer.
From Long Branch, New Jersey, at age 20, John Henry "Dick" Turpin enlisted in the United States Navy on November 4, 1896. He was a "Mess Attendant" aboard the Battleship MAINE when it was sent to Havana, Cuba, in 1898. On February 15, 1898, an explosion took place aboard the MAINE. According to Apprentice Ambrose Ham, Dick Turpin was trying (in vain) to save the life of Lt. F. W. Jenkins when he was ordered by Lt. George Holman to "go below and get some cutlasses," thinking that Spanish forces were attacking the MAINE. Turpin, seeing that the MAINE was quickly sinking, chose to dive overboard and soon found another man clinging to his back; he was quickly rescued and taken to Key West aboard the OLIVETTE.
In July 1905, Turpin was about to encounter another Naval Disaster when the boiler exploded aboard the USS BENNINGTON in San Diego Harbor. Accordingly, Turpin was nominated for the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of his fellow shipmates. In 1915, Turpin was involved in diving operations for a sunken submarine in Honolulu, Hawaii, and qualified as a "Master Diver." He is also credited with being involved in the invention of the underwater cutting torch.
In 1917, Turpin became the first Black chief petty officer, the Navy's highest enlisted rank. On June 1, 1917, Turpin became Chief Gunner's Mate aboard the USS MARBLEHEAD until he was transferred to the Fleet Reserve on March 8, 1919. He remained in that rank until he retired on October 5, 51925. When Turpin was not on active duty, he was employed at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, as a "Master Rigger."
From 1938 and throughout World War II, Turpin made "Inspirational Visits" to Naval Training Centers and Defense Plants and was a "Guest of Honor" on the Reviewing Stand in Seattle when the first black volunteers were sworn into the Navy shortly after the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Turpin never wanted to part with the Navy, and according to one article, he requested "mobilization" at age 65 when World War II broke out.
His request was denied, but Turpin "forgot his age" and remained a "Reservist." He lived in Seattle later in life and was honored in several parades. John Henry "Dick" Turpin died in 1962, sadly, though there are no official records of Turpin ever receiving his "Medal of Honor."
