The bathyscaphe Trieste reached a record depth of 35,813 feet in the Challenger Deep on January 23, 1960, with Don Walsh inside. This descent marked a turning point in marine science, demonstrating the capacity for human exploration of the deepest oceanic trenches through specialized engineering, eventually earning him high-level military and civilian honors.
Naval Service and Submarine Command
Walsh graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1954, beginning a 24-year career in the U.S. Navy. His service spanned the Korean and Vietnam Wars, primarily within the submarine branch. He served on several vessels, including the Rasher, Sea Fox, and Bugara. He reached the rank of captain and later commanded the submarine Bashaw. Beyond operational duty, he specialized in ocean-related research and development, serving as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1971 to 1972.
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After transitioning from active naval service, Walsh pursued advanced education, earning a Master's degree from San Diego State University and a PhD in physical oceanography from Texas A&M University. He served as the Dean of Marine Programs at the University of Southern California and directed the Institute for Marine and Coastal Studies. In 1976, he transitioned into marine consulting. Later, in 1989, he founded International Maritime Incorporated, which partnered with the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology to create an underwater maintenance company.
Exploration and Legacy
Walsh maintained a presence in deep-sea exploration throughout his life. He visited the RMS Titanic wreckage in 2001 and supported the Deepsea Challenger mission in 2012. He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Royal Geographical Society. His achievements were recognized with the Hubbard Medal in 2010 and the Legion of Merit in 1960. Following his death in 2023 at Myrtle Point, Oregon, the U.S. Navy announced that an Explorer-class vessel, the USNS Don Walsh, would be named in his honor.
Fast facts
- Born: 1931, Uruguay
- Died: 2023, Myrtle Point
- Education: US Naval Academy, San Diego State University, Texas A&M University
- Military Rank: Captain
- Notable Expedition: Challenger Deep, 1960
- Membership: National Academy of Engineering, Royal Geographical Society
- Awards: Legion of Merit (1960), Golden Plate Award (1961), Hubbard Medal (2010)
Questions readers ask
What record did Don Walsh set in 1960?
He and Jacques Piccard completed the deepest crewed descent in history to the bottom of the Challenger Deep at 35,813 feet.
What was the professional focus of his later career?
He worked as a marine consultant, oceanography professor, and directed marine research institutes while advising government boards on ocean and atmospheric policy.
Achievements
- Hubbard Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Golden Plate Award
- Recorded as naval officer, oceanographer and explorer
