Healy, Michael Augustine

1839-1904 · Contribution: 1865-1903

Transportation

First person of African descent to command a federal ship in U.S. history, commissioned by President Lincoln in 1865

Transportation — collage image
Transportation

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Quick facts

Born
1839-1904
Active since
1865-1903
Category
Transportation

Impact on the world

Healy commanded federal vessels in America's most treacherous waters as the first officer of African descent in the U.S. sea services, though he passed as white during his lifetime.

Sources

  1. U.S. Coast Guard (Historian's Office)

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