Michelle J. Howard

Michelle J. Howard

Michelle Janine Howard (born April 30, 1960) is an American Vice Admiral in the United States Navy. She currently serves as the Deputy Commander United States Fleet Forces Command and Director Combined Joint Operations From the Sea Centre of Excellence.

Howard is the first African-American woman to achieve three star rank in the U.S. Armed Forces. She is the first African-American woman to command a US Navy ship. 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 woman graduate of the United States Naval Academy selected for Admiral.