After the war, Gravely had a brief stint in the civilian world before he was recalled to active duty in 1949. Be Proactive. Threats of harming another [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]. Appointed by the Commanding Officer, Command Ombudsmen are volunteers and spouses of service members within the command. USS Gravely (DDG-107) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. Vice Admiral Gravely is honored annually in San Pedro, California, aboard Battleship Iowa, at the Gravely Celebration Experience. 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). [2], Gravely's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. 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. VA Vet Center (Supports vets, service members, and their families), Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Each year the organization honors trailblazers exemplifying VADM Gravely's leadership and service with the Leadership & Service Award. In 1967 he became the first African American to reach the rank of captain, and in 1971 the first to reach rear admiral. Robert S. Hayes each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Commanding Officer, USS Gravely (DDG 107) - Navy [12] In May 2022, Gravely was homeported out of Naval Station Norfolk and a part of Destroyer Squadron 28, along with Carrier Strike Group 8 led by the USSHarry S. Several years later, on board the USS Seminole, a visitor to the ship remarked that Gravely, then working as operations officer, was "colored." [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. The professionalism and fortitude the Gravely has shown during this deployment has not gone unnoticed, said Rear Adm. Paul Spedero, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8. 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. [2], At the time of his promotion to rear admiral, he was in command of the guided missile frigate USSJouett(DLG-29). on the example of a great American, a great man and a great naval For more news from PCU Gravely (DDG 107), visit 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. 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. This warship is now ready to serve our great nation and carry USS Gravely Arrives in Klaipda, Lithuania > U.S. Fleet Forces Command WILMINGTON, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2010) Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, left, the Honorable Senator Kay Hagan, and Cmdr. A year later, he became an adviser to Potomac Systems Engineering, and he continued to travel the world, speaking at conferences on leadership. The presiding officer was Capt. that is degrading to another person. Ebony, July 1966; September 1977; November 1985; December 1990; June 2, 1997. Captain Samuel L. Gravely Jr. photographed circa 1970 while he was commanding officer of USS Jouett (DLG-29). Douglas Kunzman, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's newest guided missile destroyer, USS Gravely (DDG 107), answer questions following the ship's commissioning. racist or sexually-oriented language. U.S. Over the course of his distinguished career as a surface warfare officer, he received many high-level awards to include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. The sold-out Norfolk crowd packed the hot arena and were treated to a night full of surprises and great entertainment. 22 May 1970 - 2 June 1971, Captain Cloudy skies. 19 August 1988 - 11 January 1991, Captain While visiting Wilmington, Gravely Sailors were busy meeting the Brian Sanchez, Gravely's executive officer. 101120-N-3737T-165 You have permission to edit this article. Be Nice. Captain Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. 22 May 1970 - 2 June 1971. [2], In late August 2013 along with her sister ships Mahan, Barry, and Ramage, Gravely was sent to patrol the eastern Mediterranean Sea in response to rising rumors of an imminent US military intervention in the Syrian civil war. He was commissioned in 1944 and served during. He is a graduate of Old Dominion University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Naval War College. Commissioning Ceremony, USS PC-1264, Lt. Eric S. Purdon in Foreground (U.S. Navy) He previously served as Gravelys executive officer from Dec. 2017 to May 2019. job and at times the hardest job. Cmdr. Captain Edward S. Briggs 2 June 1971 - 25 July 1972. 101120-N-3737T-229 In 1976, while serving as commander of Third Fleet, Gravely was promoted to vice admiral. His many decorations, honors, and awards attest to his success. Gravely, Samuel L. Jr. 1922- | Encyclopedia.com Gravely also operated alongside the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), dock landing ship Gunston Hall (LPD 44), and amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. She was authorized on 13 September 2002 and her keel was laid down on 26 November 2007 at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Odom enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and served ten years in the submarine warfare community. 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. All Rights Reserved Naval Academy in 2001 with a degree in Systems Engineering. He married schoolteacher Alma Bernice Clark later that year; the couple went on to raise three children, Robert, David, and Tracey. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Nathan T. Beard/Released), All Hands Magazine is produced by the Defense Media Activity for U.S. Navy Office of Information, Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist Se, SLIDESHOW | 8 images | USS Gravely returns home to Norfolk, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT), Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT), Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT), Navy Munitions Command Atlantic (NMCLANT), Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (METOC), by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Moises A. Sandoval, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, www.facebook.com/CSG8, https://www.facebook.com/DDG107, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Ebony reported that the ship's captain replied with a completely straight face: "Is that right? Vincent Libasci, commanding officer, USS Cole, Black Widow has provided an . The ship proved to be an integral part of the HSTCSG during every phase of deployment. The easiest because his sacrifice and vision is so clear to me that it provides constant direction and . Prior to his promotion to rear admiral, Capt. Welcome aboard and congratulations on your assignment to USS New York (LPD 21) - the finest ship in the fleet! Born in 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, Gravely came from a family committed to government service. James Kenny, commander, Destroyer Squadron 28. down, said Kunzman. I guess the urge for government service was just that overpowering." In 1978 Gravely became the director of the Defense Communications Agency and was able to move home to Virginia from his base in Hawaii. [1] He transferred from the Reserve to the regular Navy in 1955 and began to specialize in naval communications. USS Gravely Holds Change of Command - United States Navy Corey Odom relieved Cmdr. Born Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr., on June 4, 1922, in Richmond, VA; died on October 22, 2004, in Bethesda, MD; son of Samuel L. (a postal worker) and Mary George Gravely; married Alma Bernice Clark, 1946; children: Robert (deceased), David, Tracy. Share with Us. and inspiration to myself and my crew. High 68F. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. USS Gravely (DDG 107) changes command | Change Of Command Gravely's escort was Navy Lieutenant Commander Desiree Linson, who worked for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Subscribe 6 Cmdr. Every time we walk the brow or salute the 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. Long after Truman's executive order, the unofficial policy in the navy was to have as few blacks as possible on any ship. USS Gravely (DDG-107) is named in his honor. And we must continue to stress the very rudiments of our professionsmartness, appearance, seamanship, and most importantly, pride. U.S. Navy photo, 286696-T-RNR64-112. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Portrait photograph, taken 29 March 1973 by PHC Billings. Gravely was Jouett's commanding officer. U.S. As an official command representative, the Ombudsman is a point of contact for all family members connected to the command - including spouses, parents, and extended family members. 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. Christopher Marvin. Pride in ourselves! He was also known to drink up to thirty cups of coffee a day and chain-smoke. Capt. During that time he served on the USS Iowa as a communications officer. He learned early on that he was, as he told Ebony magazine, "saving America for democracy, but not allowed to participate in the goddamn thing." and vision is so clear to me that it provides constant direction He led Gravely through the final stretch of an eight-month deployment, operating in Arctic waters. 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 also developed and improved fleet tactics, organized and scheduled ship movements and port visits, and conducted anti-submarine warfare operations. Machinists Mate 3rd Class Dmitri Rivera, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), embraces family 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. USS Cole, USS Gravely Take on Black Widow, Large-Scale Exercise 2021 newest destroyer to life. Michael O'Reilly as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) during a change-of-command ceremony onboard the ship Nov. 13.. Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. 31 January 1978 - 17 May 1980, Captain USS Gravely is the first unit to return from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which deployed in December. "These types of visits. Awards: Named Distinguished Virginian by Governor Holton, 1972; Communications Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Media Women, 1972; Major Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence, Savanna State College, 1974; Prince Hall Founding Fathers Military Commanders Award, Scottish Rite Prince Hall Masonic Bodies of Maryland, 1975; San Diego Press Club Military Headliner of the Year, 1975. She is named after Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, . 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.