Naval Academy in 2001 with a degree in systems engineering. I am both honored and humbled for the opportunity to take command of such a wonderful ship and crew, Cmdr. USS Gravely (DDG 107) changes command | Change Of Command The sold-out Norfolk crowd packed the hot arena and were treated to a night full of surprises and great entertainment. Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. Gravely was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. Share with Us. R. Scott McCartney Navy. [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. 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. Welcome aboard and congratulations on your assignment to USS New York (LPD 21) - the finest ship in the fleet! Truman. Hunter Washburn, commanding officer, of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) speaks to media on the pier following a. Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Subscribe 6 Cmdr. 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. David Dry, commanding officer USS Gravely (DDG 107), is saluted as he walks through the sideboys after a change of command ceremony held on board the ship at Naval Station Norfolk Dec. 15. Gravely is the 57th destroyer in her class. Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. [2] An elementary school in Haymarket, Virginia has been named the Samuel L. Gravely Jr. He married schoolteacher Alma Bernice Clark later that year; the couple went on to raise three children, Robert, David, and Tracey. USS Gravely - Wikipedia Justin Hodges, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), observes a conning display while preparing to moor in Copenhagen, Denmark. Gravely's tenure in the naval service was tainted by the difficulties of racial discrimination. Several years later, on board the USS Seminole, a visitor to the ship remarked that Gravely, then working as operations officer, was "colored." [2], At the time of his promotion to rear admiral, he was in command of the guided missile frigate USSJouett(DLG-29). 22 May 1982 - 10 March 1984, Captain Elementary School in his honor. 2 June 1971 - 25 July 1972, Capt. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. (June 4, 1922 October 22, 2004) was a United States Navy officer. The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. [5] Gravely, Northrop Grumman's 27th Aegis'equipped guided missile destroyer, was commissioned at Wilmington, North Carolina on 20 November 2010. [8], On 28 March 2016, Gravely provided assistance to USSSirocco, which had seized a stateless dhow transporting weapons. Odom assumed command after completing a 16-month tour as Gravelys executive officer. Following his military retirement, Gravely settled in rural Haymarket, Virginia, and worked as a consultant. Gravely deployed to the U.S. and its Licensors Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96775. Elementary School in Haymarket, Virginia was named after him in 2008. Naval Forces Europe area of operations in late 2021 with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) carrier strike group. 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. We'd love to hear eyewitness 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. Odom assumed command after completing a 16-month tour as Gravelys executive officer. who accomplished many firsts in his 38 years of service, said His three children and his wife, Alma, survived him. [3] She successfully completed sea trials in June 2010. Patrick Hourigan; the staff and guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 28, commanded by Capt. 26 April 1986 - 19 August 1988, Captain Appointed by the Commanding Officer, Command Ombudsmen are volunteers and spouses of service members within the command. and vision is so clear to me that it provides constant direction Gravely was the first African American to command a warship (USS Odom said in his address to the crew. My leadership is modeled by Upon graduating from UCLA, he completed Midshipmen's School at Columbia University and was commissioned an ensign on November 14, 1944. Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. speaking at the ceremony marking his promotion to flag rank on board USS Jouett (DLG-29) at San Diego, California, 2 June 1971. He is a graduate of Old Dominion University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Naval War College. "I still do things for the military," he told Ebony in 1990. She is named after Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. She is named after Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, . (This man later became godfather to Gravely's eldest child.) Cmdr. A year later, he became an adviser to Potomac Systems Engineering, and he continued to travel the world, speaking at conferences on leadership. 101120-N-3737T-229 ", Gravely also demanded very high standards from his crew. As far back as 1945, when his first ship reached its berth in Key West Florida, he was specifically forbidden entry into the Officers' Club on the base. 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. Odom enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and served ten years in the submarine warfare community. ship to life! The Sailors manned the rails, bringing the Navys WILMINGTON, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2010) Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, left, the Honorable Senator Kay Hagan, and Cmdr. But that doesnt stop Julie Shepard from from helping others while navigating the extraordinary challenges of milit, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) made their return to Norfolk Scope on May 16, 2022 for their Monday Night Raw television broadcast on USA Network. down, said Kunzman. USS New York (LPD 21) - Navy After graduation, he told Ebony, "I planned to teach and coach, but took a job in the post office instead. or anything. Michael E. Mays After four decades of service in the U.S. Navy, he held no illusions about the status of race relations in the military but, according to Ebony, readily admitted: "I basically grew up in the military. The military did a lot for me, and hopefully, I did some things for it." [1] Early life and training 3,000 free tours of the ship the Sailors offered. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. - Wikipedia Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96777. The military gave me an opportunity to do some things that I thoroughly enjoyed. until 0400 est. Gravely commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group 2. This work, USS Gravely holds Change of Command, by PO1 Jacob Milham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright. attendance were family and friends of USS Gravelys crew, while 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. and inspiration to myself and my crew. "These types of visits. Portrait photograph, taken 29 March 1973 by PHC Billings. 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). In 2001, he earned his commission through the Navys Enlisted Commissioning Program. Jouett DLG/CG-29 VA Vet Center (Supports vets, service members, and their families), Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. principal address. Naval History and Heritage Command photograph, NH 96773. 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. As a new recruit, he was 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. 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. Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Capt. his example., Its the hardest because the crew does not want to let you USS Gravely Arrives in Klaipda, Lithuania > U.S. Fleet Forces Command Douglas Kunzman, USS Gravely's Commanding Officer, told Alma Bernice Clark Gravely, wife of the late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., that, "Vice Admiral Gravely has made this the easiest job and at times the hardest job. USS Gravely Arrives in Klaipda > U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa 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). Previously, he completed a tour as the deputy branch head in the training department at U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Adm. Gravely was highly decorated with the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal. [2][3], Gravely was recalled to active duty in 1949 and worked as a recruiter in Washington, D.C. before holding both shore and sea assignments during the Korean War. U.S. ships sponsor, Alma Gravely. "Obituary," United States Department of Defense, www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20041022-1434.html (January 31, 2005). In 1978 Gravely became the director of the Defense Communications Agency and was able to move home to Virginia from his base in Hawaii. One crew member noted in Ebony, "It makes a big difference in morale. USS Gravely DDG 107 Arleigh Burke class destroyer US Navy - Seaforces ", As a trailblazer for African Americans in the military arena, Gravely fought for equal rights quietly but effectively, letting his actions speak for him. The crew gained an invaluable amount of knowledge of the region during their operations on this deployment, and their relationship with our Allies and partner nations show just how impactful our strike group ships can be.
Between 1984 and 1987, Gravely served as the executive director of education and training for the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Associations (AFCEA). "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," he said. a numbered fleet (3rd Fleet). Since arriving in theater, the ship has participated. He was also known to drink up to thirty cups of coffee a day and chain-smoke. [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]. All Rights Reserved Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. began his illustrious career as a seaman apprentice at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, in 1942. U.S. Gravely was launched on 30 March 2009. veterans who served with him on the USS Taussig and his widow, the 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. Theodore E. Chandler (DD 717)); to command a warship in combat (USS Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. (center) received congratulations from other officers following the ceremony marking his promotion to flag rank onboard USS Jouett (DLG-29) at San Diego, California, 2 June 1971. Captain Edward S. Briggs 2 June 1971 - 25 July 1972. Commanding Gravely has been a tremendously rewarding experience, OReilly told the crew. Ebony reported that the ship's captain replied with a completely straight face: "Is that right? the senior officer once declared, according to Ebony. He was commissioned in 1944 and served during. Welcome. U.S. Gravely's escort was Navy Lieutenant Commander Desiree Linson, who worked for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 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. "The United States and Lithuania are celebrating a milestone 100 years of unbroken diplomatic relations in 2022," said Cmdr. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. racist or sexually-oriented language. Gravely is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Cmdr. 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.". Ralph E. Wilson, Jr. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. USS Gravely (DDG 107) arrives in Gdynia, Poland USS Gravely (DDG 107) arrives in Gdynia, Poland - U.S. Fleet Forces Command Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Gravely was Jouett'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. USS Gravely Ombudsman - Facebook And if in harms way will be ready to stay its course.. call 757-446-9000 or email Distribution@pilotonline.com, Military spouses endure all of lifes regular difficulties, with the added pressure of frequent moves and partners whose duties may call them away from home for long stretches. 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. He led Gravely through the final stretch of an eight-month deployment, operating in Arctic waters. www.navy.mil/local/ddg107/. What color is he?". trained in a segregated unit; as an officer, he was barred from living in the Bachelor's Officers' Quarters. The crew of the Taussig was skeptical at first. Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. This was Gravely's first change of command since being commissioned in November 2010. newest destroyer to life. OReilly received his commission from the U.S. Gravely is deployed conducting maritime operations as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the U.S 6th Fleet area of operations. 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. 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. He served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the Theodore E. Chandler. In fact, they quickly grew to like his style of command, because he gave officers more responsibility than they were usually allowed. Previously, he completed a tour as the deputy branch head in the training department at U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Cmdr. Christopher Marvin. 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. He added: 'There was one problem. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 378719a7422dbf16a653a31d0524fb9a2058ed47_2023-04-20T10:09:12, Strategic don't know how." 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. Brief BiographiesBiographies: Bob Graham (1942-) Biography - Awards to Francis Hendy Biography - Born to Sew, Copyright 2023 Web Solutions LLC. 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. Low near 50F. Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. 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. Taussig (DD 746)); to command a major warship (USS Jouett (DLG Jerrold J. Negin Gravely, Samuel L. Jr. 1922- | Encyclopedia.com 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!" Gerald A. Fulk 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). 11 January 1991 - 24 April 1993, Commander Captain Robert S. Hayes 3 December 1966 - 28 November 1968 . Once the weapons were offloaded, the dhow and its crew were released. 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. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) returns to Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, June 23. During that time he served on the USS Iowa as a communications officer. Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., (center), Vice Admiral Robert P. Coogan (right), and an unidentified commander (left) saluting during the Third Fleet Change of Command ceremony on board USS Reeves (CG-24) at the Naval Supply Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 10 September 1976. [2] He had attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1940 but was turned away due to a supposed heart murmur. 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. [13], On 24 June 2022, Gravely returned to Norfolk.[14]. Black History - A Sailor's Perspective - United States Navy 31 January 1978 - 17 May 1980, Captain After commissioning, Corey's operational assignments include command of USS GLADIATOR (MCM 13), Executive Officer in MCM CREW PERSISTENT; Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer in. Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. was the first African American to achieve flag rank in the Navy. Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. Vincent Libasci, commanding officer, USS Cole, Black Widow has provided an . ceremony held at North Carolina State Ports in Wilmington. others were friends and family of Gravely himself, including Long after Truman's executive order, the unofficial policy in the navy was to have as few blacks as possible on any ship. 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.