Michelle Howard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Howard

Michelle Janine Howard (born April 30, 1960) is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the commander of United States Naval Forces Europe while she concurrently served as the commander of United States Naval Forces Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. She previously served as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She assumed her last assignment on June 7, 2016.[2]

Howard has achieved many historical firsts throughout her naval career. She was the first African-American woman to command a United States Navy ship,[3] USS Rushmore,[4][5] and the first to achieve two- and three-star rank. In 2006, she was selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half),[6] making her the first admiral selected from the United States Naval Academy class of 1982 and the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy selected for flag rank. On July 1, 2014, Howard was appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations the second highest ranking officer in the navy.

Upon her swearing in Howard became the highest ranking woman in United States Armed Forces history, and the highest ranking African-American and woman in navy history.[7][8] Howard also became the first female four-star admiral to command operational forces, when she assumed command of United States Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa. Howard retired on 1 December 2017 after nearly 36 years of service in the United States Navy.