Fulton Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Samuel L. Gravely Jr.
(1922-2004)
Photographed by Kyle W, March 13, 2024
1. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Marker
Samuel L. Gravely Jr., a pioneering naval officer, spent his early years near here at 819 Nicholson Street in Fulton. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1942 and in Dec. 1944 became the first African American commissioned as a Navy Reserve officer. During his 38-year career he became the first African American naval officer to command a warship, command a fleet, and attain the ranks of rear admiral and vice admiral. After serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Gravely retired from the Navy in 1980. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Erected 2011 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-98.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Military. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1944.
Location. 37° 31.243′ N, 77° 24.383′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Fulton Hill. It is on Old Nicholson Street west of Gilliam Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 841 Old Nicholson Street, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
this page online
Photographed by Kyle W, March 13, 2024
2. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Marker
via Naval History and Heritage Command, 1973
3. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Portrait photograph, taken 29 March 1973 by PHC Billings.
Naval History and Heritage Command website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 26, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
