From the July 27, 2010, Wilmington, NC, Star-News by Garreth McGrath.
One of the Navy's newest ships, the destroyer USS Gravely, was commissioned into the fleet in Wilmington in the fall of 2010. According to Wikipedia, the vessel is an Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer, the 57th one in the class.
Laid down 26 Nov 2007, launched 30 March 2009 and christened 16 May 2009. It is named for Vice Admiral Samuel lee Gravely (June 4, 1922- October 22, 2004) the Navy's first black man to hold that position. His was a huge impact on the service. He was the first black to be commissioned an officer, first to serve aboard a fighting ship as an officer, the first fleet commander and the first admiral. He served during World War Ii, the Korean War and Vietnam..
His wife, Alma, christened it.
A Real Hero Who Opened Doors for His Race. --
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