Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Military person

Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr. (June 4, 1922 – October 22, 2004) was an African-American pioneer in the United States Navy — 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.

Personal facts

Alias (AKA)	Samuel Gravely
Birth date	June 04, 1922
Date of death	October 22, 2004
Resting place	Arlington National Cemetery

Search

Military person

allegiance	United States
award	Bronze Star Medal Legion of Merit
military operations	Korean War Vietnam War World War II
military branch	United States Navy
military command	Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two Third Fleet Defense Communications Agency
service start	1942
service end	1980