Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.

2002 Honoree

The first African American to command a U.S. Navy warship. The first African American to command an American warship under combat conditions since the Civil War. The first African American to command a major naval warship.

And... the first African-American admiral. The first African American to rise to the rank of vice admiral. The first African American to command a U.S. fleet.

Six “firsts.” 38 years. One man – retired Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.

Born in Richmond, Virginia, on June 4, 1922, Admiral Gravely left Virginia Union University after two years of study to enlist in the Navy Reserves in 1942.

For the next four years, he trained as a fireman apprentice; became the first African American commissioned as an officer from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course and served as the assistant battalion commander for new recruits. In 1946, Admiral Gravely was released from active duty but remained in the Naval Reserves. He returned to his hometown to complete his bachelor’s degree in history.

Admiral Gravely was recalled to active duty in 1949. As part of the Navy’s response to U.S. President Truman’s Executive Order to desegregate the Armed Services, his initial assignment was to recruit African Americans in the Washington, D.C. area.

In August 1975, Admiral Gravely assumed duties as commander of the Eleventh Naval District. His last tour of duty, before retiring in August 1980, was as director of the Defense Communications Agency.

Since retiring, the admiral has worked for several industrial firms, including Automated Business Systems and Services and CTEC, as vice president for Navy programs. Currently, he is a member emeritus of the Draper Laboratory Board of Directors and chairman of the Tredegar National Civil War Center Foundation Board.

Like he has advised many Navy recruits, Admiral Gravely offers this to today’s youth: “Success in life is the result of several factors. My formula is simply education plus motivation plus perseverance. Education is paramount. Motivation: one must decide what he wants to do in life, how best to get there and to proceed relentlessly towards that goal. Perseverance: The ability to steadfastly proceed to your goal despite all obstacles. It is the ability to overcome.”