carl brashear cuba gooding jr born sharecroppers deep south joins navy whereupon tells father back father gives old radio brashear leaves navy bus valuable thing unemotional father taught was never quit recommendation white commander powers boothe admires drive guts gets sent navy diving school bayonne nj endures harassment pals uniform trainer chief navy master diver billy sunday robert de niro commanding officer called pappy hal holbrook has almost many loose screws old car want make drop out prejudice quite fiercethe dangers diving prove setback loses leg due accident board ship despite setback tells wife train achieve objective help billy sunday now joined commiseration sufferings train able become first black navy diver artificial limb despite skepticism highly mocking doubtful captain navy department hearing washington dc determine meets criteria inspirational movie showing determination overcome odds