U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Feature for February 20

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily Black History Month feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20: FIRST NAVY SHIP CAPTAIN

Profile America for the 20th day of Black History Month.  In his 38-year career in the Navy, Samuel Gravely Jr. accomplished many things — all under the floodlight of publicity.  In World War II, he was among the first black naval officers. In 1962, he became the first African-American to command a combat ship in the Navy — a destroyer escort.  Gravely went on to become the first black admiral, retiring as a three-star vice admiral.  His assignments included commanding the 3rd Fleet, and the Defense Communications Agency.  In 2009, a new destroyer was named after Samuel Gravely.  Today, there are just over 1 million ready reservists in the military, 148,000 of them African-American.  This special edition of Profile America is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Sources:  www.arlingtoncemetery.net/samuel-gravely.htm
Kane's Famous First Facts, 5295
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 514

Profile America Special Edition:  Black History Month  2012  is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov  (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau