Samuel L. Gravely Jr. was a trailblazing figure in Black history as the first African American to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Gravely was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1922, and he enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1942. He later attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an officer in 1944.

Throughout his naval career, Gravely broke barriers and shattered stereotypes as he rose through the ranks. In 1962, he became the first African American to command a U.S. Navy warship, the USS Theodore E. Chandler. He continued to achieve significant milestones in his career, including becoming the first African American to reach the rank of flag officer (Rear Admiral) in the U.S. Navy.

Gravely's leadership and accomplishments paved the way for future generations of African Americans in the military. He retired from the Navy in 1980 after a distinguished 38-year career. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. is remembered as a courageous and inspirational figure in Black history, who defied the odds and achieved great success in the face of discrimination and adversity.