Michelle Janine Howard, an African-American, has become the first woman to reach the rank of Four-Star Admiral in the 238-year history of the U.S. Navy.

Adm. Howard was promoted to Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the number two job in the U.S. Navy, with the rank of Four-Star Admiral.

Adm. Howard, 54, has attained a remarkable series of accomplishments in her career with the U.S. navy.

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She replaced Adm. Mark Ferguson III and is the 38th U.S. Navy officer to hold this key post. She was formerly Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) with the rank of Rear Admiral (Lower Half).

"If you don't believe today was a first, when I called to order four-star shoulder boards for women, they didn't exist," Adm. Howard said during her promotion ceremony.

She is the first African-American woman to achieve three-star status in the U.S. Armed Forces. She is also the first woman and African-American woman to reach the rank of Admiral in the U.S. Navy.

She is the first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Rushmore. She is also the first African-American and the first female Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Adm. Howard is the first female graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy selected for flag rank. In 2010, she was the Maritime Task Force commander for Baltic operations under 6th Fleet.

Adm. Howard was the USO Military Woman of the Year for 2011 and the NAACP Chairman's Image Award recipient in 2013.

The U.S. Department of Defense said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus administered the oath of office to Howard during a ceremony held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Michelle Howard's promotion to the rank of admiral is the result of a brilliant naval career, one I fully expect to continue when she assumes her new role as Vice Chief of Naval Operations," Mabus said. "It is an historic first, an event to be celebrated as she becomes the first female to achieve this position."

Mabus said Howard earned her promotion through "a brilliant naval career" and hailed it as "an historic first."

TagsMichelle Howard, Promotion, women in the military