Stay updated onInvestment Immigration in the United States andUS News: A senator confirmed today that Rear Admiral Michelle Howard will take over the second-highest position in the Navy, becoming the first female four-star admiral in the history of theUnited States Navy in 238 years. According to the Navy Times, Howard is expected to be promoted to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in early 2014, making her the first African American woman to achieve the four-star rank in the history of the Pentagon.
Howard is a 1982 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has made numerous groundbreaking achievements throughout her career as a surface warfare officer, including being the first African American woman to serve as the commanding officer of a naval vessel—the dock landing ship USS Rushmore in 1999— and later commanded Amphibious Squadron 7 and Expeditionary Strike Group 2.
After assuming command of Combined Task Force 151, which was established to combat piracy, just days later the Maersk Alabama cargo ship was attacked by Somali pirates, triggering a global hostage crisis. Howard's voice also appeared in the 2013 film Captain Phillips, which depicted this crisis, featuring her communication with the commander of the USS Bainbridge via radio. Howard also attended the screening of Captain Phillips in Washington, D.C.
Howard's 31-year military career has also earned her distinguished awards from other organizations, including the NAACP Chairman's Award received in February of this year. Currently 53 years old, Howard serves as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy at the Pentagon.