Navy Christens Gravely, Arleigh Burke Class
The Navy will christen the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Gravely, May 16 during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. The new destroyer honors the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. He was born in Richmond, Va., June 4, 1922. After attending Virginia Union University, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve in September 1942. In 1943 he participated in a Navy program (V-12) designed to select and train highly qualified men for commissioning as officers in the Navy. On Dec.
New Destroyer To Be Named For Vadm. Gravely Jr.
The Department of the Navy will name its newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer after the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Chief of Naval Personnel. Vice Adm. According to the Pentagon, Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. was born in Richmond, Va., June 4, 1922. On Dec. 14, 1944, Gravely successfully completed midshipman training, becoming the first African American commissioned as an officer from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course. He later worked as a Navy Recruiter, recruiting African Americans in the Washington, D.C. area. Gravely went on to a Navy career that lasted 38 years and included many distinguished accomplishments. According to Naval historians, Gravely was the first African American to command a warship (the USS Theodore E.