Hunter Washburn, commanding officer, of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) speaks to media on the pier following a. He led Gravely through the final stretch of an eight-month deployment, operating in Arctic waters. After suffering a stroke,[2] Gravely died at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on October 22, 2004. He eventually earned a reputation as an expert in naval communications. who accomplished many firsts in his 38 years of service, said His flag commands included the Naval Communications Command, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two, the Eleventh Naval District, Third Fleet, and the Defense Communications Agency. Throughout his long career, Gravely was not only the first African American officer to become an admiral, but was also the first to serve onand later commanda fighting ship. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. (June 4, 1922 - October 22, 2004) was a United States Navy officer. Cmdr. Justin Hodges, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely's escort was Navy Lieutenant Commander Desiree Linson, who worked for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. After boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois, he attended Officer Training Camp at the University of California at Los Angeles, and then midshipman school at Columbia University. High 68F. [6] On 28 October 2013, the destroyers Gravely and Ramage answered a distress call from vessel a carrying immigrants located 160 nautical miles (300km; 180mi) off the coast of Kalamata, Greece. 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. U.S. Navy photo, 286696-T-RNR64-112. What color is he?". A few months later, in January of 1962having achieved the rank of lieutenant commanderhe was assigned to the USS Falgout , the first fighting ship to be commanded by an African American officer. Christopher Marvin. Retired Navy Admiral J. Paul Reason was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which was held at Northrop's facility in Pascagoula. Welcome. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article. [5] Gravely, Northrop Grumman's 27th Aegis'equipped guided missile destroyer, was commissioned at Wilmington, North Carolina on 20 November 2010. The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for a 7-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility, 16 November 2015. USS Gravely (DDG 107) arrives in Gdynia, Poland Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Pride in ourselves! USS Cole, USS Gravely Take on Black Widow, Large-Scale Exercise 2021 Naval Academy in 2001 with a degree in Systems Engineering. Gravely, Samuel L., Jr. | Encyclopedia.com Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. According to Cmdr. The presiding officer was Capt. 757-927-1478. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. He was later named the Director of Naval Communications. Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. Welcome aboard and congratulations on your assignment to USS New York (LPD 21) - the finest ship in the fleet! Many in Odom assumed command after completing a 16-month tour as Gravelys executive officer. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) returns to Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, June 23. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. - Wikipedia A year later, he became an adviser to Potomac Systems Engineering, and he continued to travel the world, speaking at conferences on leadership. Previously, he completed a tour as the deputy branch head in the training department at U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Truman. A surface warrior and a man Elementary School in Haymarket, Virginia was named after him in 2008. [2], Gravely's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. '", Gravely survived the indignities of racial prejudice and displayed unquestionable competence as a naval officer. Every time we walk the brow or salute the "Vice-Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.," Naval Historical Center, www.history.navy.mil/bios/gravely.htm (January 31, 2005). [1], Gravely was born on June 4, 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, the oldest of five children of Mary George Gravely and postal worker Samuel L. Gravely Sr. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Gravely would go on to be the U.S. Navy's first African-American commander, captain, rear admiral, and vice admiral. This work, USS Gravely holds Change of Command, by PO1 Jacob Milham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. "These types of visits. 11 January 1991 - 24 April 1993, Commander Subject specific information for the media, Events or announcements of note for the media, An official website of the United States government. don't know how." After suffering a stroke, he died on 22 October 2004 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Ralph E. Wilson, Jr. In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. Captain Robert S. Hayes 3 December 1966 - 28 November 1968 . I am both honored and humbled for the opportunity to take command of such a wonderful ship and crew, Cmdr. Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107), was After retirement from the Navy, Gravely kept busy working with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. Don't Threaten. Commissioning Ceremony, USS PC-1264, Lt. Eric S. Purdon in Foreground (U.S. Navy) He learned early on that he was, as he told Ebony magazine, "saving America for democracy, but not allowed to participate in the goddamn thing." commissioned in Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 20. 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. Career: U.S. Navy, career military officer, 1942-80; became vice admiral; commander, USS Falgout, 1962; commander, Third Fleet, 1976-78; director of Defense Communications Agency, 1978-80; Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Associations (AFCEA), executive director of education and training, 1984-87.
The professionalism and fortitude the Gravely has shown during this deployment has not gone unnoticed, said Rear Adm. Paul Spedero, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8. He previously served as Gravelys executive officer from December2017 to May 2019. Jerrold J. Negin One crew member noted in Ebony, "It makes a big difference in morale. An official website of the United States government. He was the first African American to reach the rank of captain, and when he boarded his first ship in May of 1945, he became its first black officer. 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. Education: Attended Officer Training Camp at the University of California, Los Angeles, and midshipman school at Columbia University; Virginia Union University, BA, 1948. He attended Virginia Union University but left before graduating to join the Naval Reserve in 1942. 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. community before the commissioning. [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. 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). Naval Forces Europe area of operations in late 2021 with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) carrier strike group. Machinists Mate 3rd Class Dmitri Rivera, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), embraces family on the pier following a return to Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, June 23. Be Truthful. Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. 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. He married schoolteacher Alma Bernice Clark later that year; the couple went on to raise three children, Robert, David, and Tracey. USS Gravely Returns Home to Norfolk, Virginia - U.S. Fleet Forces Command Patrick Hourigan; the staff and guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 28, commanded by Capt. Threats of harming another Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96776. Odom assumed command after completing a 16-month tour as Gravelys executive officer. 3,000 free tours of the ship the Sailors offered. And if in harms way will be ready to stay its course.. U.S. In 1967 he became the first African American to reach the rank of captain, and in 1971 the first to reach rear admiral. 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. 17 May 1980 - 22 May 1982, Captain Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. I guess the urge for government service was just that overpowering." As Navy wife Sarah King describes it, its a life that teaches you to be resilient, strong and courageous.. 28 November 1968 - 22 May 1970, Captain Hunter Washburn, Gravely's commanding officer. [2][3], Gravely was recalled to active duty in 1949 and worked as a recruiter in Washington, D.C. before holding both shore and sea assignments during the Korean War. Naval Academy in 2001 with a degree in systems engineering. Machinists Mate 3rd Class Dmitri Rivera, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), embraces family on the pier following a return to Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, June 23. Ralph E. Wilson, Jr. 25 July 1972 - 12 February 1974. While deployed, the ship was employed by U.S. 6th Fleet to defend U.S., Allied. Theodore E. Chandler (DD 717)); to command a warship in combat (USS "These types of visits. 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 is deployed conducting maritime operations as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the U.S 6th Fleet area of operations. R. C. Barnhart Only the very best Sailors and Marines are assigned to this frontline warship and you should be proud to be among them. In 1952, Gravely returned to active duty on board the USS Iowa. Furthermore, African-American officers were limited to work on large ships. Commanding Officer, USS Gravely (DDG 107) > Commander, Naval Surface He is also a graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School. 12 February 1974 - 23 January 1976, Captain Kicking off the broadc, Life as a military spouse is a life like no other. U.S. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. James P. Cormack For more news from PCU Gravely (DDG 107), visit
veterans who served with him on the USS Taussig and his widow, the USS Gravely DDG 107 Arleigh Burke class destroyer US Navy - Seaforces Navy commissions destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) Gravely was the first African American to command a warship (USS (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022)
In 1976 Gravely became the commander of the entire third fleet. Pride in our ships! 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. Gravely died on October 22, 2004, at the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., (center), Vice Admiral Robert P. Coogan (right), and an unidentified commander (left) saluting during the Third Fleet Change of Command ceremony on board USS Reeves (CG-24) at the Naval Supply Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 10 September 1976. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 378719a7422dbf16a653a31d0524fb9a2058ed47_2023-04-20T10:09:12, Strategic Michael O'Reilly as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) during a change-of-command ceremony onboard the ship Nov. 13.. From 1976 to 1978, he commanded the Third Fleet based in Hawaii, then transferred to Virginia to direct the Defense Communications Agency until his retirement in 1980. As the ships seventh captain, OReilly assumed command in August 2019. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. 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. Before June 1, 1942, African Americans could only enlist in the Navy as messmen; PC-1264 and Mason were intended to test the ability of African Americans to perform general Navy service. Naval History and Heritage Command photo Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. [10] On 11 March 2019, as part of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG-8), Gravely received the Meritorious Unit Commendation award in support of Operation Inherent Resolve during the 2015-2016 deployment. Cole is headed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility for a routine deployment focused on ballistic missile defense. The USS Gravely (DDG 109) returns home to Naval Station Norfolk, June 24, 2022, after a mont", List of destroyers of the United States Navy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Gravely&oldid=1145097091, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 1 32-cell, 1 64-cell (96 total cells), This page was last edited on 17 March 2023, at 07:18. The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Subscribe 6 Cmdr. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) includes flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, commanded by Capt. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96774. The military gave me an opportunity to do some things that I thoroughly enjoyed. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), All Hands Magazine is produced by the Defense Media Activity for U.S. Navy Office of Information, Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist Se, SLIDESHOW | 8 images | USS Gravely returns home to Norfolk, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT), Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT), Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT), Navy Munitions Command Atlantic (NMCLANT), Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (METOC), by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Moises A. Sandoval, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, www.facebook.com/CSG8, https://www.facebook.com/DDG107, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. U.S. 10 March 1984 - 26 April 1986, Captain After a short stint at the post office himself, Gravely responded to the call to arms issued during the Second World War and joined the U.S. Navy. Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. was the first African American to achieve flag rank in the Navy. Jouett DLG/CG-29 Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96778. Commanding Officer, USS Gravely (DDG 107) 27 April 2022 Cmdr. The crew of the Taussig was skeptical at first. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Biography - Officer, Military, Medal, and Ship "I still do things for the military," he told Ebony in 1990. In fact, they quickly grew to like his style of command, because he gave officers more responsibility than they were usually allowed. Several years later, on board the USS Seminole, a visitor to the ship remarked that Gravely, then working as operations officer, was "colored." Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. photographed circa 1970 while he was commanding officer of USS Jouett (DLG-29). Gravely commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group 2. Keep it Clean. David Dry, commanding officer USS Gravely (DDG 107), is saluted as he walks through the sideboys after a change of command ceremony held on board the ship at Naval Station Norfolk Dec. 15. OReilly received his commission from the U.S. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. (center) received congratulations from other officers following the ceremony marking his promotion to flag rank onboard USS Jouett (DLG-29) at San Diego, California, 2 June 1971. 22 May 1982 - 10 March 1984, Captain Gerald A. Fulk Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Adm. Gravely was highly decorated with the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal. Gravely deployed to the U.S. ships sponsor, Alma Gravely. During the Korean War, he served onboard USSIowa(BB-61), and later in the 1950s served on USSToledo(CA-133) and USSSeminole(AKA-104). each comment to let us know of abusive posts. 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. 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. Gravely, Jr., that, Vice Admiral Gravely has made this the easiest Additionally, he was the Commanding Officer of the USS Falgout, Taussig, and Jouett. Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. Michael OReilly as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) during a change-of-command ceremony onboard the shipNov. 13. There is a much freer atmosphere when junior officers can perform certain tasks. On May 2, 1945, Lt. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. reported aboard PC-1264 as its first Black officer but he never commanded the vessel. DANFS - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Permitting Policy and Resource Management, The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: 20 Years Later, "Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. For more news from CSG 8 and USS Gravely, visit, www.facebook.com/CSG8, https://www.facebook.com/DDG107, www.facebook.com/usnavy, www.navy.mil, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. Naval Reserve in 1942. He was commissioned in 1944 and served during. No one wanted to live with you, so I volunteered. Gravely said in the same article, "You have to have faith in your executive officers and department heads, and they have to have it in their junior officers. flag, we do it in memory of him and his sacrifice.. James Kenny, commander, Destroyer Squadron 28. Gravely is the 57th destroyer in her class. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. (June 4, 1922 October 22, 2004) was a United States Navy officer. 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. USS Gravely (DDG 107) arrives in Gdynia, Poland - U.S. Fleet Forces Command