The military gave me an opportunity to do some things that I thoroughly enjoyed. Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107), was The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. He is a graduate of Old Dominion University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Naval War College. U.S. The same year he graduated, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order to integrate the armed forces. Retired Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely, the Navy's first black flag officer, strolled past an exhibit of the first African-American West Point graduate, the Buffalo Soldiers, and African Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War. USS Gravely Arrives in Klaipda > U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa After serving as a communications, electronics, and personnel officer, Gravely left the navy in 1946 to get married and return to school; in 1948, he earned a degree in history from Virginia Union University. Gravely had received a very friendly reception when he reported for duty aboard the battleship USS Iowa in 1952, but he later found a letter from the Bureau of Naval Personnel to the Iowa's commanding officer, instructing the commander to brief the ship's personnel before Gravely's arrival. As an official command representative, the Ombudsman is a point of contact for all family members connected to the command - including spouses, parents, and extended family members. Gravely was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. The crew of the Taussig was skeptical at first. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022) Naval Reserve, American Campaign Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Medal with one bronze star, China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with six bronze stars, and the Antarctic Service Medal. He returned to his hometown of Richmond and re-enrolled at Virginia Union University, graduating in 1948 with a degree in history and then working as a railway postal clerk. This was Gravely's first change of command since being commissioned in November 2010. Military awards: Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Naval Reserve Medal for 10 years of service in the U.S. Terms of Use, www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041022-1434.html, Karen Gravelle (1942) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights. The stress of these responsibilities was inescapable, but he fought to relieve them through exercise when he had the time. 5-inch (127 mm)/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 (lightweight gun), "PCU Gravely Arrives in Wilmington for Commissioning", "Navy Christens Newest Arleigh Burke Class Ship Gravely", "Navy Names Newest Arleigh Burke Class Ship USS Gravely", "Pascagoula-built destroyer Gravely returns from sea trial", "U.S. and U.K. Move Ships Closer to Syria", "U.S. ships head towards migrant vessel in distress off Greece", "Destroyer Gravely returns to Norfolk Naval Station", "U.S. Navy Seizes Suspected Iranian Arms Shipment Bound for Yemen", "US Officials Say Russian Warship Intentionally Interfered With Navy Operations", "CSG 8 Receives MUC for 2015-2016 Deployment", "Finnish Navy Holds Drills In Northern Baltic Sea", "USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 23, 2022", "Welcome Home! Brian Sanchez, Gravely's executive officer. Portrait photograph dated 7 March 1972. Odom enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and served ten years in the submarine warfare community. Leading and serving alongside this crew has been the greatest honor I can imagine, and I am humbled by the effort, commitment and pride that you bring to the ship each and every day. One crew member noted in Ebony, "It makes a big difference in morale. He was later named the Director of Naval Communications. [2], In 1946, Gravely was released from active duty, remaining in the Naval Reserve. Be Proactive. An essay competition for U.S. History high school students that explores VADM Gravely's motto Education, Motivation, Perseverance is affiliated with the annual event. Navy commissions destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. photographed circa 1970 while he was commanding officer of USS Jouett (DLG-29). Previously, he completed a tour as the deputy branch head in the training department at U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Furthermore, African-American officers were limited to work on large ships. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism The USS PC-1264 (1943-1946) - BlackPast.org 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. USS Gravely - Wikipedia (This man later became godfather to Gravely's eldest child.) USS Gravely (DDG-107) is named in his honor. Thomas J Gregory [2], Gravely began his seagoing career as the only black officer aboard the submarine chaser USSPC-1264, which was one of two U.S. Navy ships (the other being USSMason(DE-529)) with a predominantly black enlisted crew. Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. Ebony reported that the ship's captain replied with a completely straight face: "Is that right? [5] Gravely, Northrop Grumman's 27th Aegis'equipped guided missile destroyer, was commissioned at Wilmington, North Carolina on 20 November 2010. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96778. Commanding Officers, Captain The crew gained an invaluable amount of knowledge of the region during their operations on this deployment, and their relationship with our Allies and partner nations show just how impactful our strike group ships can be. [2], In late August 2013 along with her sister ships Mahan, Barry, and Ramage, Gravely was sent to patrol the eastern Mediterranean Sea in response to rising rumors of an imminent US military intervention in the Syrian civil war. During the Vietnam War he commanded the destroyer USSTaussig(DD-746) as it performed plane guard duty and gunfire support off the coast of Vietnam in 1966, making him the first African American to lead a ship into combat. Once the weapons were offloaded, the dhow and its crew were released. He also developed and improved fleet tactics, organized and scheduled ship movements and port visits, and conducted anti-submarine warfare operations. I am both honored and humbled for the opportunity to take command of such a wonderful ship and crew, Cmdr. National Guard memorial. Gravely was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Biography - Officer, Military, Medal, and Ship The sold-out Norfolk crowd packed the hot arena and were treated to a night full of surprises and great entertainment. Several years later, on board the USS Seminole, a visitor to the ship remarked that Gravely, then working as operations officer, was "colored." Gravely deployed to the U.S. ", As a trailblazer for African Americans in the military arena, Gravely fought for equal rights quietly but effectively, letting his actions speak for him. 28 November 1968 - 22 May 1970, Captain and its Licensors USS New York (LPD 21) - Navy "You have worked tirelessly to get Gravely through a year-long maintenance availability, and it was a wonderful feeling to see your hard work pay off as we got underway for sea trials, returning Gravely to operational status and back into the fight," he said. Michael OReilly as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) during a change of command ceremony onboard the ship, Nov. 13. After retirement from the Navy, Gravely kept busy working with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. But that doesnt stop Julie Shepard from from helping others while navigating the extraordinary challenges of milit, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) made their return to Norfolk Scope on May 16, 2022 for their Monday Night Raw television broadcast on USA Network. Gravely also operated alongside the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), dock landing ship Gunston Hall (LPD 44), and amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Commanding Gravely has been a tremendously rewarding experience, OReilly told the crew. When he saw that I had read the letter, he immediately began to tell me about the briefing, how delighted everyone was with my being assigned, and how I must have been a fine guy to have earned a commission. Every time we walk the brow or salute the NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022) Cmdr. He had no immediate plans to return to the navy. "Exercises with our Allies and partners allowed for a more cohesive alliance and fluid operations," said Cmdr. Jet, February 5, 1970; June 5, 1975; August 28, 1980; November 8, 2004; November 15, 2004. After four decades of service in the U.S. Navy, he held no illusions about the status of race relations in the military but, according to Ebony, readily admitted: "I basically grew up in the military. The military did a lot for me, and hopefully, I did some things for it." Douglas Kunzman, USS Gravelys Commanding Officer, told principal address. DVIDS - News - USS Gravely holds Change of Command Gravely deployed to the U.S. The new destroyer honors the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr., who was the first African American to command a warship, USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD 717); to command a major warship, USS Jouett (DLG/CG-29); to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral; and to command a numbered fleet, the U.S. 3rd Fleet. Christopher Marvin. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He previously served as Gravelys executive officer from Dec. 2017 to May 2019. Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. speaking at the ceremony marking his promotion to flag rank on board USS Jouett (DLG-29) at San Diego, California, 2 June 1971. Getty Images. Born Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr., on June 4, 1922, in Richmond, VA; died on October 22, 2004, in Bethesda, MD; son of Samuel L. (a postal worker) and Mary George Gravely; married Alma Bernice Clark, 1946; children: Robert (deceased), David, Tracy. Cmdr. Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Captain Robert S. Hayes 3 December 1966 - 28 November 1968 . R. Frederick Stalder Jr. R. Scott McCartney A few months later, in January of 1962 having achieved the rank of lieutenant commander he was assigned to the USS Falgout , the first fighting ship to be commanded by an African American officer. Gravely would eventually become the first Black admiral in the U.S. Navy, in 1971. Cloudy skies. A few months later, in January of 1962 having achieved the rank of lieutenant commander he was assigned to the USS Falgout, the first fighting ship to be commanded by an African American officer. She is named after Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, . Awards: Named Distinguished Virginian by Governor Holton, 1972; Communications Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Media Women, 1972; Major Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence, Savanna State College, 1974; Prince Hall Founding Fathers Military Commanders Award, Scottish Rite Prince Hall Masonic Bodies of Maryland, 1975; San Diego Press Club Military Headliner of the Year, 1975. His 32 official duties included protecting the western sea approaches to the United States, guarding merchant ships in the area, and providing emergency search and rescue aid. Kicking off the broadc, Life as a military spouse is a life like no other. "Obituary," United States Department of Defense, www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041022-1434.html (January 31, 2005). In Richmond, the street on which Gravely grew up was renamed "Admiral Gravely Boulevard" in 1977. and vision is so clear to me that it provides constant direction In keeping with these requests from me (and my husband) I 3 December 1966 - 28 November 1968, Captain You have permission to edit this article. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96775. This warship is now ready to serve our great nation and carry Naval Forces Europe area of operations in late 2021 with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) carrier strike group. His many decorations, honors, and awards attest to his success. The 56th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Gravely is homeported in Norfolk and named after Vice Adm. Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr. Adm. Gravely became the first African-American to command a U.S. Navy warship, the first African-American to command an American warship under combat conditions, the first African-American to command a major naval warship, the first African-American admiral, the first African-American to rise to the rank of vice admiral, and the first African-American to command a U.S. Fleet. hospitals, senior centers and schools and helped beautify an Army In 1976, while serving as commander of Third Fleet, Gravely was promoted to vice admiral. Contact Us - Navy