Samuel lee gravely jr biography

1922-2004

Naval officer

Gravely, Samuel L., photograph.

At the peak of his career, Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.

was the highest-ranking African American officer in the U.S. Navy, a three-star vice admiral. Even after his retirement, he maintained the commanding presence that he had honed during his 38 years in the military. Throughout his long career, Gravely was not only the first African American officer to become an admiral, but was also the first to serve on—and later command—a fighting ship.

Samuel lee gravely jr biography

His many decorations, honors, and awards attest to his success.

Born in 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, Gravely came from a family committed to government service. 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.

After a short stint at the post office himself, Gravely responded to the call to arms issued during the Second