And we must continue to stress the very rudiments of our professionsmartness, appearance, seamanship, and most importantly, pride. [2] Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. The military gave me an opportunity to do some things that I thoroughly enjoyed. He served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the Theodore E. Chandler. Over the course of his distinguished career as a surface warfare officer, he received many high-level awards to include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. Share with Us. After suffering a stroke, he died on 22 October 2004 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. others were friends and family of Gravely himself, including 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. In 2001, he earned his commission through the Navys Enlisted Commissioning Program. President Truman's executive order prohibited segregation, but it could not eliminate racism and hypocrisy among military staff members. [2] An elementary school in Haymarket, Virginia has been named the Samuel L. Gravely Jr. U.S. There is a much freer atmosphere when junior officers can perform certain tasks. For more news from C2F, visit https://www.c2f.navy.mil and for more information visit http://www.facebook.com/US2ndFleet or http://twitter.com/US2ndFleet, Subject specific information for the media, Events or announcements of note for the media, An official website of the United States government. In a fitting tribute, the obituary on the U.S. Department of Defense Web site quoted Gravely's formula for success: "My formula is simply education plus motivation plus perseverance.". He previously served as Gravelys executive officer from Dec. 2017 to May 2019. Navy commissions destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) As a full commander, he again made naval history in 1966 as the first black commander to lead a shipthe USS Taussiginto direct offensive action. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 378719a7422dbf16a653a31d0524fb9a2058ed47_2023-04-20T10:09:12, Strategic Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. was the first African American to achieve flag rank in the Navy. [1] He was also awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two service stars, the United Nations Korea Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.[2]. Gravely was assigned tours of duty aboard PC-1264, USS Iowa, USS Toledo and USS Seminole. trained in a segregated unit; as an officer, he was barred from living in the Bachelor's Officers' Quarters. On May 2, 1945, Lt. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. reported aboard PC-1264 as its first Black officer but he never commanded the vessel. Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107), was 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. 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. During the Korean War, he served onboard USSIowa(BB-61), and later in the 1950s served on USSToledo(CA-133) and USSSeminole(AKA-104). 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. Kicking off the broadc, Life as a military spouse is a life like no other. officer, Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely. Vincent Libasci, commanding officer, USS Cole, Black Widow has provided an . 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. 757-927-1478. 22 May 1970 - 2 June 1971, Captain Naval History and Heritage Command photo Floyston A. "The United States and Lithuania are celebrating a milestone 100 years of unbroken diplomatic relations in 2022," said Cmdr. WILMINGTON, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2010) Sailors man the rails as the ship is brought to life during the commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy's newest guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107). [3], After receiving basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, Gravely entered the V-12 Navy College Training Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. 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. Higher wind gusts possible.. 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. Naval Academy in 2001 with a degree in systems engineering. "The United States and Lithuania are celebrating a milestone 100 years of unbroken diplomatic relations in 2022," said Cmdr. WILMINGTON, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2010) Sailors man the ship and bring her to life during the commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy's newest guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107). He was in charge of over 100 ships, 60,000 officers, and oversaw more than 50 million square miles of ocean, or about one-fourth of the earth's surface. Following his military retirement, Gravely settled in rural Haymarket, Virginia, and worked as a consultant. [2] He had attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1940 but was turned away due to a supposed heart murmur. A surface warrior and a man And if in harms way will be ready to stay its course.. Odom enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and served ten years in the submarine warfare community. In fact, they quickly grew to like his style of command, because he gave officers more responsibility than they were usually allowed. USS Gravely (DDG-107) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. 24 April 1993 - 28 January 1994. [2], Many of Gravely's later career achievements represented "firsts" for African Americans. Odom assumed command after completing a 16-month tour as Gravelys executive officer. Even after his retirement, he maintained the commanding presence that he had honed during his 38 years in the military. Contact Us - Navy Previously, he completed a tour as the deputy branch head in the training department at U.S. Fleet Forces Command. 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. ceremony held at North Carolina State Ports in Wilmington. 101120-N-3737T-205 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022) VADM Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., USN, Retirement Ceremony (1980), Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 19:33, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, "Samuel L. Gravely Jr., 82, First Black Admiral in Navy, Dies", Samuel Gravely's oral history video excerpts, "Navy Announces Death of Retired Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Samuel_L._Gravely_Jr.&oldid=1141578552, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 19:33. 3 December 1966 - 28 November 1968, Captain Gravely, Samuel L., Jr. | Encyclopedia.com Weeks [1] He transferred from the Reserve to the regular Navy in 1955 and began to specialize in naval communications. The presiding officer was Capt. Cmdr. [13], On 24 June 2022, Gravely returned to Norfolk.[14]. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Jan. 10, 2019) Cmdr. Brian Sanchez, Gravely's executive officer. Odom said in his address to the crew. 11 January 1991 - 24 April 1993, Commander USS Gravely Returns Home to Norfolk, Virginia - U.S. Fleet Forces Command Hunter Washburn, commanding officer, of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) speaks to media 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. His father, Samuel L. Gravely Sr., was a postal worker, and his siblings worked at various government posts with the Veterans Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. 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." High 68F. Interrupting his education at Virginia Union University, Gravely enlisted in the U.S. Capt. U.S. In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. a numbered fleet (3rd Fleet). A year later, he became an adviser to Potomac Systems Engineering, and he continued to travel the world, speaking at conferences on leadership. Michael OReilly as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) during a change-of-command ceremony onboard the shipNov. 13. Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. After graduation, he told Ebony, "I planned to teach and coach, but took a job in the post office instead. (This man later became godfather to Gravely's eldest child.) 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. Gravely was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. Theodore E. Chandler (DD 717)); to command a warship in combat (USS 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. For the remainder of World War II, PC-1264 conducted patrols and escort missions along the east coast of the U.S. and south to the Caribbean. (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. Gravely was launched on 30 March 2009. Commanding Gravely has been a tremendously rewarding experience, said OReilly to the crew. Truman. Gravely is the 57th destroyer in her class. newest destroyer to life. on the example of a great American, a great man and a great naval (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist Se, VA Vet Center (Supports vets, service members, and their families), www.facebook.com/CSG8, https://www.facebook.com/DDG107, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Captain R. Frederick Stalder Jr. 12 February 1974 - 23 January 1976 . Gravely deployed to the U.S. 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. No one wanted to live with you, so I volunteered. The crew of the Taussig was skeptical at first. Ebony, July 1966; September 1977; November 1985; December 1990; June 2, 1997. [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. Hunter Washburn, Gravely's commanding officer. He led Gravely through the final stretch of an eight-month deployment, operating in Arctic waters. accounts, the history behind an article. 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. 26 April 1986 - 19 August 1988, Captain and vision is so clear to me that it provides constant direction His three children and his wife, Alma, survived him. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96776. In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. In 2001, he earned his commission through the Navys Enlisted Commissioning Program. Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. Oral History | Gravely, Samuel Lee Jr., Vice Adm., USN (Ret.) Gravely was the first African American to command a warship (USS This January, the U.S. Navy appointed Commanders Kimberly Jones, Kathryn Wijnaldum, and LaDonna Simpson as the commanding officers of the USS Oak Hill, USS Tortuga, and USS Carter Hall. Ralph E. Wilson, Jr. 25 July 1972 - 12 February 1974. Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. photographed circa 1970 while he was commanding officer of USS Jouett (DLG-29). U.S. Plan. As the ships seventh captain, OReilly assumed command in August 2019. [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. principal address. 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. Pride in ourselves! Portrait photograph, taken 29 March 1973 by PHC Billings. Alma Bernice Clark Gravely, wife of the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Education: Attended Officer Training Camp at the University of California, Los Angeles, and midshipman school at Columbia University; Virginia Union University, BA, 1948. 3,000 free tours of the ship the Sailors offered. Cmdr. National Guard memorial. Each year the organization honors trailblazers exemplifying VADM Gravely's leadership and service with the Leadership & Service Award. Cmdr. [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, Jr., that, Vice Admiral Gravely has made this the easiest The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. Commanding Gravely has been a tremendously rewarding experience, OReilly told the crew. NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022) He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. [9] In June 2016 while escorting the aircraft carrier USSHarry S. Truman the destroyer had a close encounter with a Russian Navy frigate causing Russian and US Navy officials to accuse each other of dangerous and unprofessional conduct. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. OReilly received his commission from the U.S. Cmdr. Justin Hodges, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer Sailors visited local Retired Navy Admiral J. Paul Reason was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which was held at Northrop's facility in Pascagoula. Please contact your sponsor as soon as possible and provide your contact information and travel . He is also a graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School. "These types of visits. Gravely was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. An official website of the United States government. Odom assumed command after completing a 16-month tour as Gravelys executive officer. I guess the urge for government service was just that overpowering." And pride in our Navy!". 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 Proactive. Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Subscribe 6 Cmdr. 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. 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. We must improve the performance and productivity of our people. Gravely was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. Todd Zenner, which include USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), commanded by Capt. After proving himself, he was accepted by his staff. "Obituary," United States Department of Defense, www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041022-1434.html (January 31, 2005). Cmdr. Donald Martin The presiding officer was Capt. Gravely deployed to the U.S. 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. Navy commissions destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), Press Release, USS Gravely Public Affairs, WWE steel cage battle; American Nightmare comes to Norfolk. USS Gravely (DDG 107) arrives in Gdynia, Poland - U.S. Fleet Forces Command As the ships seventh captain, OReilly assumed command in Aug. 2019. USS Gravely Home Leadership About Us Contact Us Ship Information Mailing Address and Quarterdeck Phone Number UNIT 100337 BOX 1 FPO AE 09570-1221 Quarterdeck: 757-927-1257 Reach out for a. Gerald A. Fulk Navy. Early in his career, Gravely served with distinction as a radio specialist aboard the Iowa, where the ship's communications officer was more interested in his qualifications than his color: "I don't care if he's black, white, or green, all I want is a radio officer!" Born in 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, Gravely came from a family committed to government service. U.S. Leading NATO Maritime Group Amid Renewed Focus on Northern Europe Gravely was commissioned in 1944 through the college V-12 program and served in World War II on board the submarine chaser USS PC-1264. 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. 22 May 1982 - 10 March 1984, Captain Todd Zenner, which include USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), commanded by Capt. veterans who served with him on the USS Taussig and his widow, the 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. 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. He also developed and improved fleet tactics, organized and scheduled ship movements and port visits, and conducted anti-submarine warfare operations. In 1971, while Gravely served as commander of USSJouett(DLG-29), he was selected for flag rank. hospitals, senior centers and schools and helped beautify an Army [1] The ship is named after Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.[4] Admiral Gravely's wife, Alma Gravely, christened the ship on 16 May 2009 and serves as ship's sponsor. Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. [2], At the time of his promotion to rear admiral, he was in command of the guided missile frigate USSJouett(DLG-29). "Vice Admiral Gravely was truly a first for many accomplishments within the Navy, and his saying, 'Education, Motivation, Perseverance' runs true within the ship every day," said the ship's. He had no immediate plans to return to the navy. In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. www.navy.mil/local/ddg107/. Michael O'Reilly as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) during a. Gravely relieved Coogan as commander of Third Fleet. 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. Gravely's escort was Navy Lieutenant Commander Desiree Linson, who worked for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. The easiest because his sacrifice 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. 101120-N-3737T-165 The stress of these responsibilities was inescapable, but he fought to relieve them through exercise when he had the time. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. who achieved many firsts as an officer in the United States Long after Truman's executive order, the unofficial policy in the navy was to have as few blacks as possible on any ship. 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. NORFOLK, Va. -- Cmdr. USS Gravely Arrives in Klaipda, Lithuania > U.S. Fleet Forces Command USS Gravely is the first unit to return from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which deployed in December. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Gravely would go on to be the U.S. Navys first African-American commander, captain, rear admiral, and vice admiral. U.S. 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 is deployed conducting maritime operations as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the U.S 6th Fleet area of operations. After the war, Gravely had a brief stint in the civilian world before he was recalled to active duty in 1949. Justin Hodges, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), observes a conning display while preparing to moor in Copenhagen, Denmark. USS I am both honored and humbled for the opportunity to take command of such a wonderful ship and crew, Cmdr. 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. Keep it Clean. Since arriving in theater, the ship has participated. After a postwar stint of civilian life, he was recalled to active duty in 1949 as a recruiter and remained in active service until his retirement in 1980. Brief BiographiesBiographies: Bob Graham (1942-) Biography - Awards to Francis Hendy Biography - Born to Sew, Copyright 2023 Web Solutions LLC. that is degrading to another person. VA Vet Center (Supports vets, service members, and their families), Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Previously, he completed a tour as the deputy branch head in the training department at U.S. Fleet Forces Command.