In his 38-year career in the U.S. Navy, Samuel L. Gravely was the first African American to command a U.S. Navy warship (USS Theodore E. Chandler). The first African American to command an American warship under combat conditions (USS Taussig). The first African American to command a major naval warship (USS Jouett). The first African American admiral, the first African American to rise to the rank of Vice Admiral, and the first African-American to command a U.S. Fleet (Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet).