In 1961, Gravely was the first Black Navy officer to lead a ship. The following year, he was the first Black officer to command a combat ship. Additionally, he is also the first Black officer to lead a ship into a combat zone. In 1967, Gravel was the Navy’s first Black captain and in 1971, he was the Navy’s first rear admiral.
Gravely returned from the military with honors such as the World War II Victory Medal and the Bronze Star. He worked as a consultant for many years after settling in rural Virginia.
The devoted military man lived by a creed of “education plus motivation plus perseverance.” He was also a champion for racial and job equality, remarking that he hoped one day it would be normal for a man of his racial background to achieve the heights he did.
Gravely died in 2004 in Bethesda, Maryland after suffering a stroke. He was 82.
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Little Known Black History Fact: Samuel L. Gravely was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
