Navy Hails Cosby As Honorary Chief Petty Officer
(February 20, 2011) |
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2011 – Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West
recognized actor, comedian and former sailor Bill Cosby as
an honorary chief petty officer in a ceremony yesterday at
the U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center. |
Actor and comedian Bill
Cosby stands between Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Navy Rick D. West and Navy Secretary Ray
Mabus during a Feb. 17, 2011, ceremony at the
U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., in which
Cosby was recognized as an honorary chief petty
officer. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd
Class Jason M. Graham
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"Bill Cosby is not just a comedian and an actor
-- although he's pretty good at both -- he's
also been a tireless advocate for social
responsibility and education and a constant
friend to the Navy," Mabus said. "Last year was
the highest compliment I've ever received –-
being made an honorary chief petty officer, and
now Dr. Cosby –- you're about to get the same
honor."
Cosby holds a doctor of education
degree from the University of Massachusetts.
Mabus and West placed chief petty officer
anchors on Cosby in front of a huge gathering of
chief petty officers and other sailors. West
helped Cosby don a chief hospital corpsman's
service dress blue jacket, and Mabus presented
Cosby with the accompanying visored hat.
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"I will tell to you like I tell all of our new
chiefs ... when I pin these anchors on you, your
job isn't over and your journey is just
beginning," West said to Cosby. "There is no
greater honor than having earned the title
"Chief" -- and the responsibility to our sailors
and our Navy that comes with it -- and we will
expect more of you."
Cosby expressed his
gratitude for the honor and for the lessons he
learned in his Navy service.
"[Over] the
years I spent in the Navy, and so many moments
remembering that, the Navy gave me a wake-up
call. The Navy showed me obedience, and that's
the thing that pushed me to realize the mistakes
I had made in my young life at 19 years old, and
that I could do something with myself and become
somebody."
Cosby began his relationship
with the Navy in 1956, when he joined as a
hospital corpsman and attended recruit training
at Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Md.
During his four-year tour, Cosby was stationed
at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.; the National
Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.; Naval
Hospital Argentia, Newfoundland; aboard USS Fort
Mandan; and Philadelphia Naval Hospital.
At Quantico and Bethesda, Cosby worked in
physical therapy, helping to rehabilitate Korean
War veterans, a duty he said he liked and
excelled at. He was also an athlete for the
Navy, playing football, basketball, baseball,
and running track and field.
Cosby said
the Navy transformed him from an aimless,
uneducated kid into a man with drive, discipline
and self-respect.
He was honorably
discharged in 11200 as a petty officer 3rd class.
His awards included Navy Good Conduct Medal and
National Defense Service Medal. He also received
the 2010 Lone Sailor Award from the U.S. Navy
Memorial. |
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By Navy CPO Sonya Ansarov
Office of the
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2011 |
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