Manufactured by
Propper International, Inc., founded 1967
Worn by
Admiral Howard, Michelle Janine, American, born 1960
Subject of
United States Navy, American, founded 1775
Date
2009
Medium
nylon and cotton blend fabric with plastic buttons
Dimensions
H x W (flat): 30 × 21 in. (76.2 × 53.3 cm)
Caption
A 1982 Naval Academy graduate, Michelle Howard commanded Task Force 151 in 2009, which freed Captain Richard Phillips and other hostages from the Maersk Alabama. In 2014, she became the first female four-star admiral in the Navy, as well as the highest-ranking Black woman in the military, and was appointed vice chief of naval operations.
Description
A US Navy fatigue jacket worn by Admiral Michelle Howard as rear admiral (lower half). The single-breasted flak jacket with a standard collar is made from a brown, tan, and beige toned camouflage print nylon and cotton blend fabric. It closes at the center front with five (5) tan plastic buttons hidden from the facing side with an additional placket. The wide straight cut sleeves have adjustable cuffs that can be closed at varying levels of tightness around the wrist using one buttonhole tab and three (3) tan plastic buttons. Each sleeve has a self-fabric rectangular elbow patch panel. There is a square of tan fabric with one (1) five-pointed star embroidered in black on each front collar. The jacket has four (4) exterior pleated patch pockets with flap closures that close with two concealed tan buttons, one at each breast and one at each waist. At the proper left breast above the pocket is a rectangular patch with a Surface Warfare Officer insignia embroidered in brown thread of a shield in front of crossed swords. Below it is a rectangular patch with brown thread reading "U.S. NAVY". On the proper right breast above the pocket is a patch with brown thread reading "HOWARD". A size and style tag is sewn at the interior center back neck. An additional tag is sewn at the interior proper right front waist that is illegible from washing and wearing.
Classification
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Type
flak jackets
military uniforms
Topic
Clothing and dress
Military
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Admiral Michelle J. Howard, U.S. Navy
Object number
2014.146.2.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ba68e8c8-4a50-4158-9876-c7fe18fca44a

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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