First Black Named Four-Star Admiral

The Navy is getting its first black four-star admiral, 20 years after the Air Force and 14 years after the Army promoted the first blacks to the top peacetime rank. The Marine Corps has never had a black four-star officer.

The Pentagon announced Monday that President Clinton has nominated Vice Adm. J. Paul Reason, 55, for promotion to admiral and assignment as commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Norfolk, Va. Reason is a native of Washington, D.C.

Clinton also nominated Rear Adm. Patricia A. Tracey for promotion to vice admiral, making her only the second woman to rise to three-star ranking in any service.