Michelle Howard

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Michelle Janine Howard (born April 30, 1960) is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the commander of the United States Naval Forces Europe, United States Naval Forces Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples. She previously was the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She assumed her last assignment on 7 June 2016. Howard achieved many historical firsts throughout her naval career. She was the first African-American woman to command a United States Navy ship, USS Rushmore, and the first to achieve two- and three-star rank. In 2006, she was selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half), 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 1 July 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 (until the swearing...

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