CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 012254Z FEB 23 MID300000297220S FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO ZEN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC ZEN/CMC WASHINGTON DC ZEN/CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 010/23 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/FEB// SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 2023 BLACK HISTORY MONTH// RMKS/1. Black History Month is observed during the month of February to honor the contributions of African American Service Members and civilians who continue to serve our Nation. This year's theme, "Inspiring Change," commemorates the contributions of African Americans in challenging racial inequities and promoting opportunities for equal advancement within the African American community. 2. In January 1944, 16 African American enlisted men assembled at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, IL for officer training. They were expected to complete the 16-week officer course in just 8 weeks. With the odds greatly stacked against them, all 16 graduated, earning the highest average score in Naval history at the time. Twelve of the men became commissioned officers and one a warrant officer. They were known as the Golden 13. This achievement was the beginning of racial integration across the Navy and paved the way for future generations of leaders. 3. This includes leaders like VADM Samuel L. Gravely Jr., the first African American Service Member to command a Navy ship, be promoted to flag rank in the United States Navy, and to command a naval fleet. While RDML Lilian E. Fishburne was the first African American woman promoted to flag rank, more recently, Gen Michael E. Langley became the first African American Service Member to be promoted to the rank of four-star general in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) as well as Major General Lorna M. Mahlock, the first two -star African American female in the USMC. For many of these pioneers, their leadership and service did not end with their active duty. Just last year, retired ADM Michelle J. Howard chaired the National Naming Commission, which reviewed hundreds of Department of Defense assets for references that commemorate the Confederate States of America. Recommendations to rename military assets, approved by the Secretary of Defense, will honor American heroes who exemplify the values of the United States military. The trailblazing efforts of these individuals and many others have expanded opportunities for our next generation of leaders, including recently named awardees of the 2023 Black Engineer of the Year awards, Mr. Larry Harris, CAPT Timothy Moore, CAPT Kimberly Jones, and LT Timothy Horton. 4. Today, over 117,000 African American active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel serve in the Department of the Navy's total force. Their diverse perspectives and life experiences strengthens us as a Navy and allows us to bear the brightest ideas and innovative solutions to the Nation's challenges. 5. Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro Secretary of the Navy.// BT #7063 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//