A Families Eyes Opened

"He was such an amazing father. My family and I looked to him as this strong man who was the protector but at the same time he was very quiet with a commanding presence," said Conner. "He was just dad to us, we had no idea all he had accomplished."

Byrd joined the Navy Dec. 26, 1947 as an undesignated seaman and later became a Boatswain's Mate. In 1955 he graduated from the Navy Deep Sea Diving School at Washington Navy Yard. He graduated from the elite U.S. Naval School Underwater Swimmers at Key West, Fla. in 1957. Then in 1958 he found his calling with Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) after graduating the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) at Indian Head, Md.

Chief Boatswains Mate Sherman Byrd getting an award

Byrd continued to excel becoming the Navy's first African American EOD Technician as well as the first African American to graduate from the above schools.

In August of 1969 he became a Master Chief Petty Officer and one of the first African American Master Chiefs. The Byrd family is investigating weather or not Master Chief Byrd was in fact the first African American Master Chief.

Conner and her siblings knew their father dedicated his life to the United States Navy in defense of his country but they had no idea what their father's lists of accomplishments were or the impact he made in the history of the Navy.

"My sister Yolanda got a phone call the Friday before Mother's Day this year from a retired chief at the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit Two at Fort Story, Va. He told her that they were having a dedication ceremony to honor dad and would like for the family to attend," said Conner.

Sherman Byrd with his Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Class, Indian Head, Md., May 1958

Conner and her family were shocked to learn that their father was the first African American EOD technician in the Navy.

"We were so excited; this was such a great honor and surprise. We knew dad was EOD but we had no idea what that meant. I have learned that my father protected four U.S. Presidents," said Conner laughing. "I mean are you kidding, my dad. He protected Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon."

Conner said she is learning so much about who her dad was outside of him being a father and husband, that it has brought long overdue closure to a very empty spot in her heart.

"Losing dad was heart breaking and going through important things in my life where I wished he could have been there was very hard, but this experience has opened doors to a side of dad that we never knew and it is like getting to know him all over again," said Conner. "My youngest sister, Laurie, was just a baby when dad passed so this has helped her a lot because she did not know him at all. We are truly blessed."

Conner and her family attended the dedication ceremony on Sept. 25 where they heard people who knew him speak words of kindness and appreciation.

"People's words had such a huge impact on me, there was so much love and hard work that went into this, my mind still can't process all of it," said Conner. "Here is a black man, my dad who was a service member during a time when racial relations were still very volatile and he managed to touch so many hearts of various races that none of them saw him as black, just a fellow brother."

Conner said it all started to make sense because she always remembered her dad being a "teacher."

"Education was very important to my dad, he was a teacher in many ways, and he always did his best to instill in the younger EOD techs and in people in general to "get it right the first time" because you may not have a second chance. This made sense because I learned recently that the EOD motto is "Initial Success or Total Failure," said Conner. Conner also stated the door that had been opened to her father's past feels more like a door opened to the future because now her and her family can move forward honoring their father in every way they can so that he can continue to have an impact and motivate people to strive at being their absolute best.

"I have asked the Lord to not let me miss appreciating every kind moment, or word of the things being done and said about my dad. I am so grateful and I am learning so much, it really means a lot to me and my family. We just don't want to miss any of it."

Conner and her family said they are so grateful to the Navy for the honor they have shown Master Chief Byrd and for allowing them to be part of it all.

"Our family would like to thank the Navy for the assessment and foresight to afford our Father the opportunity to excel to the competency of Master EOD Tech. We also would like to thank the EOD Community, which spans the Navy, Air Force, Army and Marines, for keeping his memory alive throughout all these years. We sincerely thank all you!"