USS Gravely christened in Pascagoula

FOX 10 ^ | May 16, 2009 | Catherine DuBose

[Islander7]

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The first African-American Navy Admiral had a very fitting tribute Saturday. He had a ship named in his honor. The USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, was christened Saturday morning in Pascagoula.

With one swing the U.S.S. Gravely entered the service of the U.S. Navy. His widow, Alma Bernice Gravely described the moment. " You use two hands and you go right where you're said to hit it."

Alma Gravely acted as sponsor for the christening. Her husband, Vice Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely , broke through every color barrier as he rose in the ranks of the U.S. Navy. He eventually earned the rank of Vice Admiral and commanded the U.S. 3rd fleet. Alma Gravely says a ship named in his honor is the greatest honor.

" She's beautiful. Just beautiful. My husband would have loved her." She said.

When the U.S.S. Gravely takes to sea she will be under the command of Douglas Kunzman. For him the Christening ceremony was more than just routine. " I think I had goose bumps the whole time. Not only because of the magnificent ship that's being built that I get to sail on with my crew, but to represent such a great American hero and a great American family."

[Islander7]

Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr., (June 4, 1922-October 22, 2004), was an African American Navy pioneer and a native of Richmond, Virginia. Gravely spent two years at Virginia Union University, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. Following his time in college, he enlisted in the Naval Reserves on September 15, 1942 and was trained as a Fireman Apprentice. In 1943, he participated in the Navy V-12 program, which was designed to select and train Naval officers. As part of this training, he attended the University of California in Los Angeles, Pre-Midshipman School in New Jersey, and Midshipmen School at Columbia University. On December 14, 1944 Gravely successfully completed midshipman training, thereby becoming the first African American commissioned as an officer from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course.

[Islander7]

In honor of Memorial Day! Have a great weekend everyone.

[Hodar]

USS. Gravely

[PittsburghAfterDark]

How many Burke class destroyes have yet to be launched before the new class starts?

[americanophile]

I assume that the ship was name because he was the first African American admiral. I don’t know much about Navy naming standards, but it’s worth asking: Do you think this is a good idea, or do you think it is appropriate to name a vessel for racial reasons as opposed to merit? Or conversely, should he be rightly adjudged a pioneer and his achieving the rank of admiral in a nation with a history or racial prejudice be considered an achievement worthy of such an honor?

[Hodar]

The USS Gravely is #57, so I’d guess the number to be somehwat greater than 58.

Having no idea what the design costs for a ship costs; but imagining that it’s more than a steak dinner at Sizzler’s, I’d guess that the answer will be that a new design will be implimented when this design is considered obsolete.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I think anytime you rise to the level of Vice Admiral having started in a segregated armed force you deserve some consideration such as this.

I’d much rather have this vessel named after a former admiral than calling it the USS Murtha/Pelosi/Reed/Boxer.

[rahbert]

and your point is...?

[Travis T. OJustice]

and your point is...?

He earned it. The hard way.

[americanophile]

Ya, I might agree. It's an interesting question. I just would hate to see this become another PC dumping ground. Will we need one named after a Hispanic now because he's a Hispanic? An Asian because he's an Asian? A Arab because he's an Arab. As long as it stays within the confines of the military, and has a service/merit component, I think it's okay. This man was an admiral after all, but I could easily see it degenerating under Congress to the USS Cesar Chavez, etc., etc.

[green iguana]

I think any Admiral who is good enough to be in command of a Fleet (3rd Fleet in his case) is probably fit to have a warship named after him.

[green iguana]

Wiki (I know...) shows 2 others launched but not commissioned yet, 4 being built, and 3 on order to be built (and possibly more - my comment), since the Zumwalt class is for now being limited to 3 ships.

[Darksheare]

You mean like the U.S.S. Jimmy Carter?

[SonnyBubba]

Off the subject, but does anyone know of a place to buy good fresh shrimp in Pascagoula or nearby?

[americanophile]

Despite my personal repugnance...he was the CIC...through no fault of my own I might add.

[Non-Sequitur]

They’re going to be building the Burke’s for a while yet. The Zumwalts will be capped at 3 or 4.

[Non-Sequitur]

I don’t know much about Navy naming standards, but it’s worth asking: Do you think this is a good idea, or do you think it is appropriate to name a vessel for racial reasons as opposed to merit?

Why doesn't he merit it? Just because he's black?

[A.A. Cunningham]

090516-N-5549O-167 PASCAGOULA, Miss. (May 16, 2009) Ship's sponsor Alma Bernice Clark Gravely, wife of the late Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, and President of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Mr. Mike Petters celebrate after christening the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Gravely (DDG-107) named in honor of her husband, at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. The Navy's newest destroyer is the 57th in her class, and honors Vice Adm. Gravely who was the first African American to command a major warship, achieve flag rank, and command a numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)

090516-N-5549O-153 PASCAGOULA, Miss. (May 16, 2009) Ship's sponsor Alma Bernice Clark Gravely, wife of the late Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, christens the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Gravely (DDG-107) named in honor of her husband, at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. The Navy's newest destroyer is the 57th in her class, and honors Vice Adm. Gravely who was the first African American to command a major warship, achieve flag rank, and command a numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)

090516-N-5549O-185 PASCAGOULA, Miss. (May 16, 2009) From left to right, (Ret.) Adm. J. Paul Reason, Mrs. Diane Reason, President Northrop Grumman Shipbuilders Mr. Mike Petters, Ship's sponsor Alma Bernice Clark Gravely, wife of the late Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Acting Secretary of the Navy BJ Penn, Loretta Penn, Commander U.S. 2nd Fleet Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr., and the ship's Commanding Officer Cdr. Douglas Kunzman, pose for a group photo following the christening ceremony of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Gravely (DDG-107) at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. The Navy's newest destroyer is the 57th in her class, and honors Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely who was the first African American to command a major warship, achieve flag rank, and command a numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)

http://www.navy.mil/media/multimedia/gravely/gravely.htm

[taillightchaser]

I’m rusty on Navy rank. How many stars is a Vice Admiral?