Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. | |
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Born | Richmond, Virginia, US | June 4, 1922
Died | October 22, 2004 Bethesda, Maryland, US | (aged 82)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1942–1980 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
Commands | USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717) USS Falgout (DER-324) USS Taussig (DD-746) USS Jouett (DLG-29) Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two Third Fleet Defense Communications Agency |
Battles / wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star |
Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. (June 4, 1922 – October 22, 2004) was a United States Navy officer. He was the first African American in the U.S. Navy to serve aboard a fighting ship as an officer, the first to command a Navy ship, the first fleet commander, and the first to become a flag officer, retiring as a vice admiral.[1]