"A Navy pioneer, Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely was the first African American to be commissioned a flag officer in the U.S. Navy, the first to command a Navy ship in the twentieth century, and the first to command a U.S. numbered fleet. In this memoir, co-authored by the noted naval historian Paul Stillwell, Gravely describes his life from his boyhood in Richmond, Virginia, through his officer service on board a World War II submarine chaser, to later tours of duty at sea and ashore. Denied housing and even jailed for impersonating an officer, he recounts efforts to overcome both cultural and institutional obstacles posed by racism as he rose through the ranks. In 2009, the Navy named the guided missile destroyer Gravely in his honor."--|c Publisher's description.

Includes index.

Richmond -- New to the Navy -- First sea duty -- Civilian interlude -- Recruiting -- USS Iowa -- USS Toledo -- Com Three--New York City -- USS Seminole -- On-the-job training -- USS Theodore E. Chandler -- USS Falgout -- Naval War College -- Housing still a problem -- Defense Communications Agency -- USS Taussig, 1966 -- USS Taussig, 1967-68 -- Satellite Communications Program -- USS Jouett -- Director of Naval Communications -- Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two -- Eleventh Naval District -- Third Fleet -- Defense Communications Agency -- After the Navy.