And we must continue to stress the very rudiments of our professionsmartness, appearance, seamanship, and most importantly, pride. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. In 1971, while Gravely served as commander of USSJouett(DLG-29), he was selected for flag rank. [3] She successfully completed sea trials in June 2010. U.S. [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. Welcome. He had Korean War service in the battleship USS Iowa . and inspiration to myself and my crew. Floyston A. He attended Virginia Union University but left before graduating to join the Naval Reserve in 1942. On May 2, 1945, Lt. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. reported aboard PC-1264 as its first Black officer but he never commanded the vessel. ABOARD USS GRAVELY, IN THE BALTIC SEA The U.S. Navy is leading a decades-old NATO maritime group, serving as a first-responder force in northern European waters and building . Following his military retirement, Gravely settled in rural Haymarket, Virginia, and worked as a consultant. The ship and crew also completed an eleven-month maintenance period at General Dynamics-NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk, and recently returned to underway operations and Sea Trials. 2 June 1971 - 25 July 1972, Capt. Cmdr. Gravely is the 57th destroyer in her class. Commanding Officer, USS Gravely (DDG 107) 27 April 2022 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). An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 flies by the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107). In 1978 Gravely became the director of the Defense Communications Agency and was able to move home to Virginia from his base in Hawaii. 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. He was later named the Director of Naval Communications. Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. 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. 757-927-1478. Jet, February 5, 1970; June 5, 1975; August 28, 1980; November 8, 2004; November 15, 2004. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96778. And if in harms way will be ready to stay its course.. NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022) The presiding officer was Capt. You have permission to edit this article. NORFOLK, Va. -- Cmdr. "These types of visits. After retirement from the Navy, Gravely kept busy working with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. who achieved many firsts as an officer in the United States (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. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. (June 4, 1922 October 22, 2004) was a United States Navy officer. 24 April 1993 - 28 January 1994. 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. "I still do things for the military," he told Ebony in 1990. 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. Gravely was the first African American to command a warship (USS 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. USS Gravely (DDG-107) is named in his honor. [1] Early life and training MC1 Lolita Lewis. Capt. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Commissioned in 2010, she has been on several overseas deployments. Naval Reserve in 1942. We must improve the performance and productivity of our people. Captain Robert S. Hayes 3 December 1966 - 28 November 1968 . USS Jouett DLG/CG-29 Commanding Officers . From 15 February 1961 to 21 October 1961, he served as the first African-American officer to command a U.S. Navy ship, the USSTheodore E. Chandler(DD-717) (Robert Smalls had briefly commanded a Navy ship in the American Civil War, although he was a civilian, not a Navy officer). Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead in the ceremonys 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. the senior officer once declared, according to Ebony. William E. Poling 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. 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. Operations Specialist Seaman Gustavo Gomez, from San Antonio, 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. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. - history.navy.mil Odom stated in his address to the crew. 25 July 1972 - 12 February 1974, Captain 22 May 1970 - 2 June 1971, Captain Douglas Kunzman, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's newest guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107), answer questions following the ship's commissioning. 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!" 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 deployed to the U.S. 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. 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. Captain R. Frederick Stalder Jr. 12 February 1974 - 23 January 1976 . attendance were family and friends of USS Gravelys crew, while What color is he?". Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. In 1967 he became the first African American to reach the rank of captain, and in 1971 the first to reach rear admiral. The destroyer USSGravely(DDG-107), commissioned in 2010, was named in his honor.[3]. Patrick Hourigan; the staff and guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 28, commanded by Capt. Pride in ourselves! USS Gravely Returns Home to Norfolk, Virginia - U.S. Fleet Forces Command a numbered fleet (3rd Fleet). In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. Theodore E. Chandler (DD 717)); to command a warship in combat (USS The presiding officer was Capt. 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. Douglas Kunzman, USS Gravelys Commanding Officer, told [2], Many of Gravely's later career achievements represented "firsts" for African Americans. or anything. Christopher Marvin. Portrait photograph, taken 29 March 1973 by PHC Billings. Gravely knew that the briefing pertained to his race, and he later told Ebony: "I gave the letter to my roommate and suggested that it be returned to the ship's office. 101120-N-3737T-205 Odom enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and served ten years in the submarine warfare community. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. There is a much freer atmosphere when junior officers can perform certain tasks. 28 November 1968 - 22 May 1970, Captain The easiest because his sacrifice and vision is so clear to me that it provides constant direction and . The crew of the Taussig was skeptical at first. ship to life! The Sailors manned the rails, bringing the Navys He also developed and improved fleet tactics, organized and scheduled ship movements and port visits, and conducted anti-submarine warfare operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), NORFOLK, Va. (June 24, 2022) Captain Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. 22 May 1970 - 2 June 1971. In Richmond, the street on which Gravely grew up was renamed "Admiral Gravely Boulevard" in 1977. USS Portrait photograph dated 7 March 1972. 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. commissioned in Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 20. R. Frederick Stalder Jr. USS Gravely DDG 107 Arleigh Burke class destroyer US Navy - Seaforces The same year he graduated, 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order to integrate the armed forces. 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. Commissioning Ceremony, USS PC-1264, Lt. Eric S. Purdon in Foreground (U.S. Navy) "Vice-Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.," Naval Historical Center, www.history.navy.mil/bios/gravely.htm (January 31, 2005). Gravely would eventually become the first Black admiral in the U.S. Navy, in 1971. 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. USS Gravely Returns Home to Norfolk, Virginia She is named after Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, . In a 1977 address to navy officers, as quoted in Ebony, he stated: "We must improve our individual understanding of our fundamental warfare skills. Terms of Use, www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041022-1434.html, Karen Gravelle (1942) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights. After his official retirement in 1980, he kept active as a military adviser and corporate consultant. Patrick Hourigan; the staff and guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 28, commanded by Capt. A surface warrior and a man ships sponsor, Alma Gravely. '", Gravely survived the indignities of racial prejudice and displayed unquestionable competence as a naval officer. Contact Us - Navy 101120-N-3737T-229 Don't knowingly lie about anyone 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! "I think," Gravely told Ebony magazine, that "initially they [were] interested in two things: can the Old Man take the ship out, and can he get it back in port." Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. photographed circa 1970 while he was commanding officer of USS Jouett (DLG-29). 3,000 free tours of the ship the Sailors offered. Justin Hodges, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), observes a conning display while preparing to moor in Copenhagen, Denmark. Higher wind gusts possible.. Vice Admiral Gravely is honored annually in San Pedro, California, aboard Battleship Iowa, at the Gravely Celebration Experience. who accomplished many firsts in his 38 years of service, said All Rights Reserved USS Gravely Arrives in Klaipda > U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa 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. Odom enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and served ten years in the submarine warfare community. James Kenny, commander, Destroyer Squadron 28. 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. [1] He transferred from the Reserve to the regular Navy in 1955 and began to specialize in naval communications. "The United States and Lithuania are celebrating a milestone 100 years of unbroken diplomatic relations in 2022," said Cmdr. Every time we walk the brow or salute the Since arriving in theater, the ship has participated. Born in 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, Gravely came from a family committed to government service. [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. 17 May 1980 - 22 May 1982, Captain 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. 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." Oral History | Gravely, Samuel Lee Jr., Vice Adm., USN (Ret.) 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. Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. U.S. person will not be tolerated. trained in a segregated unit; as an officer, he was barred from living in the Bachelor's Officers' Quarters. Gravely is deployed conducting maritime operations as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the U.S 6th Fleet area of operations. He had no immediate plans to return to the navy. A year later, he became an adviser to Potomac Systems Engineering, and he continued to travel the world, speaking at conferences on leadership. 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. Photographed by PH1 Carl R. Begy. [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]. ", As a trailblazer for African Americans in the military arena, Gravely fought for equal rights quietly but effectively, letting his actions speak for him. 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. In 1961 Gravely became temporary skipper of the USS Theodore E. Chandler, making him the first black naval officer to command a ship. 26 April 1986 - 19 August 1988, Captain