The USS Gravely (DDG-107) undergoing sea trials on June 23, 2010.
According to Navy News Service, “The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS Gravely from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding during a ceremony July 26 in Pascagoula, Miss. Designated DDG 107, Gravely is the 57th ship of the Arleigh Burke class.”
Moreover, according to Navy News Service, “The new destroyer honors the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr., the first African American commissioned as an officer from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course. He was the first African American to command a warship (USS Theodore E. Chandler); to command a major warship (USS Jouett); to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral; and to command a numbered fleet (Third).”
For more about the life of VADM Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., USN, please view our on-line exhibit by clicking here.
One Response to "USS Gravely DDG-107 Update"
The online exhibit doesn’t mention what Admiral Gravley did between his enlistment in ’42 and his commissioning in ’44. He must have done something to attract the attention of his superiors.
Commissioning a black sailor from the ranks in that era wasn’t an everyday occurance.
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